Beyond Valor

The sacrifice and the price to pay.

Beyond Valor…By Sami Khalil

An Analysis of a widow of a fallen hero…

Barreled waves crashed upon the flood of emotions, breaching the surface of jaded eyes, with noted crest and velocity.

To align her memory, of no unbreakable bonds, she saw in real time the slippage of pathless dreams into alabaster dirges.

Every day passed, she listened to riptides and the news of her husband, George Cavallaro, who was embedded in the Iraq war and, had the misfortune of being killed by an IED, in the line of duty, under a heightened sun and across grinding sand.

Upon hearing the news, immediately her thoughts were christened with tears, falling into the sink drains of topiary reflections.

Glaringly insecure, she questioned the validity of wars, or their legitimacy, with sustaining stares, albeit aslant.

Seasons began to fade into moments of aghast flows and withered blows. Voices fell silent at times into eternal oblivion, away from the essence of hope.

She rejoiced not in the minimal of mortified states and, had to remind herself, over and over, that a baby boy is on the way, semi-orphaned across the pages of life.

As she thought, things that linger, past and present, seem to be the homecomings of resurrected souls, alive in passions and flames.

She spoke no further of turbid confessions, as admittance had many shadows of eclipsed disdains.  

Off in the distance, the dying sun dotted the uninitiated nights, in sorrowful swoons.

 What becomes of a heart, any heart, loved to an extent, but be worthy of saving its memory, aside from the places where ashes lay.

In darkest hours, she read the last letter received from him with smiles, that retained the brokenness of drifted pleasures.

Out of her writs, and in the shield position, she was lulled by the gift of life, with bent posture, to be born cheerful and with a ruddy complexion.

She finally folded the letter, gazing mutely, then uttered,

Embers cold, darkened are the hues

Hearts restless, searching for clues

I shall await in my wrenching need

And resign in your arms, as I plead.       

                                                        

Reviews

[Layla J Omorose]

I do love the imagary you painted. The sense of grief and sadness are underlined with a wondering of "Why?" that I think we all have when something tragic happens not only to us but in the world as well. I also think this is a good reflection of what is going on in the world today. Well done

[Sami Khalil]

I totally agree dear Layla for you have nailed it on the head. Thank you so much for all. All wonderful to see you.

[Zoya]

Such a melancholic poem...the last lines leaving the readers teary eyed. Life is so unfair at times, isnt it. Truly felt the blast of all the emotions hidden here. Amazingly penned!

[Sami Khalil]

It is indeed as you say. I hope we can make it a better place or cope with its ills. Thank you for sharing this wonderful review and appreciation. You are appreciated.

[Zoya]

You're most welcome

[Alisa Js]

😥 Sometimes there are no easy answers ... and questions no longer make sense.

Thank you for sharing this riveting work.

Alisa

[Sami Khalil]

So true and well articulated. Thank you so much AlisaJ for this amazing review and kindness. God bless.

[marilyn 1225]

sadness .. you write beautifully of it all-- great work
also love the painting as your image

[Sami Khalil]

Thank you so much beloved poet and friend for this wonderful review and appreciation. Good to see you.

[Linda alexander]

At times it seems this world has too many sad stories as if this is a sad world. There are not even correct answers to some of the perils humans go through, I really wish the world can rise to a better place to live for the sake of our generation and coming generations, irrespective the causes poet succeeded in portraying the agony of individual as if reader is standing near that person.

[Sami Khalil]

You are so right dear poet and friend. Thank you so much Linda for taking the time and effort to share. God bless.

[Coyote Poetry]

A very sad story. I have three good friend killed in the new wars. I see their kids and their wives when I can. I was a soldier and If I knew. The real cost. I would decided to be single if I wanted the military. I saw my father's face and my mother's tears for believing cold and heartless leaders like Bush. Destroyed a world trying to know peace. Thank you my friend for sharing this real story. How do you tell a child. A parent lost to war and violence?
Coyote

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. What a testimony of a hero who saw and felt the reality of things. The lies we sell the people by masterful leaders, the lives shattered to pieces and the heavy prices we all have to pay. Thank you sir for all your telling and sacrifices.

[Josie E. Cook M. A.]

Sad state of unwanted happenings and the pain is here in your words.
Nice structure and form throughout as you bring the reader to feel the pain and sadness of her life and also define her loss well.
"Upon hearing the news, immediately her thoughts were christened with tears, falling into the sink drains of topiary reflections."--my favorite part this this.

[Sami Khalil]

Thank you so much dear Josie for this wonderful review and kind sharing. All rich blessings.

[Josie E. Cook M. A.]

You're welcome! :)

[Sami Khalil]

::::::::))))))))))

[andrew mitchell]

Strong imagery, powerfully penned to knockout any reader. Captivatingly sad and one feels the pain in this story. One day I shall return the knockout maybe after a few rounds of your amazing writes Sami.

[Sami Khalil]

Hahaha. You are wonderful and you knock me off my socks. A master of humor and fun which is hard to do. Thank you so much kind poet for the inspiration and all.

[andrew mitchell]

You are welcome Sir Sami.😎

[Sami Khalil]

:)...................

[ms. barrie]

Sami, this is utterly breathtaking to say the least.
an inspiring, captivating story that engages the reader’s imagination. i love reading stories/etc. that takes one away for a while, and this ink
definitely did just that!

i also find this brilliantly penned because you’ve painted the protagonist’s emotional state/character without exaggerating
not that easy; all this with pleasing meter and rhyme scheme...”beyond valor” indeed!

your writings never fail to inspire me. ~ i thank you for
sharing ~ :) ~ barrie

[Sami Khalil]

I'm so blown away and honored by your amazing self and review. Your style and writes captivate me too for they are unique and out of the box so to speak. When you write, you engage us and we feel the depth, width and height of your creativity. Thank you so much for all.

[ms. barrie]

you’re most welcome, Sami...it’s always a pleasure to immerse myself into your art...& you have my sincerest gratitude for your gracious, encouraging words! brightest blessings, always! - b

[Sami Khalil]

::::}}}}}}}}}

[peter Duggan]

This is a wonderful write Same. A pleasure to read every part of it....Peter

[Sami Khalil]

Thank you so much Peter for this amazing review and kindness. An honor to have you visit.