The Horrors I've Seen

This image from an open pit grave will never leave my mind. Having spent a year in the Viet Nam war, its horror's are potent. But most striking were the twisted limbs, not unlike my own; soft and giving when touched, but now no more alive than trimmings l

Their bodies all lifeless

  all listless and tore.

Their form is like cordwood

  thrown up on the shore.

I've seen only pictures

  all shaddowed and dark,

the trees in the distance

  suggest once a park.

Yet centered on my mind

  are forms joined in death.

Their matted heads silent,

  Their lips dirt not breath.

There's not any clothes

  to be seen, but a shoe;

the leather was beaten,

  the shoelace was new.

The sinews and skin-tones

  were flacid and dull.

If life once lived in them,

  it now burns in hell.

I'll never forget it,

  nor should I dare try.

Its awful and hurts me,

  I now must go cry.

Author's Note

p.s. I don't do dark, this is my first attempt at it.

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

LSS,
"The Horrors Iv'e Seen" Your center of focus having seen the things of war and bloodshed is terrible. Bless you for sharing such a honest and vulnerable portrayal of your experience.
It is good that you would share this. Others need to be reminded of those who serve their country.
Bless all those left behind who have lost loved ones by another's bullet and those whom have held the gun.
I know it is a two way street and just very messy and complex.
Bless you in your life and in your daily thoughts. I hope you have found some semblance of peace and acceptance in your present life.
Kathy

[Reggie]

Another piece of your life has appeared. Good job Larry

[Michael V]

You could do it but it's not you, it's forced. Each line is independent from the other. it's like a type-writer as opposed to a printer...a printer is steady and keeps going, the type-writer must go...stop...go again...stop. Possible?....absolutley, you've got talent like that.But if you try to do it I would suggest that you try to be lees descriptive, yes you will lose some of the mood, but it brings back in your fluidity and finesse. Sacrifiice the image for emotion or the emotion for the image. one of the greatest dilema we will ever face...LoL
Nice work my friend....all in all, nice work.

[Piece Of My Life]

I'm deeply disturbed too by the same images of the Holocaust, I've seen the pics a thousand times but it still shocks me each time. To see human life all lumped together and thrown away under the open sky- I even have nightmares after seeing some of those images- sorry you had to see them for real.

[Last Lying Look]

I really like this piece. It was deep & meaningful. Wow... Vietnam... That must be a terrifying thing to remember.

Good work though!