Expressing emotion can become poetry. It was unexpected. The war had started with eliminating the terrorists from our midst but the eventual battles of engagement were static. We were already a few weeks into the war and our kids and grandkids from the North had moved in with us 2 weeks ago. Emotions and frustration were high in the house. Our family trip to celebrate my 80th birthday was cancelled and to everyone's chagrin, what would be our last sailing trip, looked like it would also be cancelled. My brother from the U.S. is calling daily as are others.
It's late at night and my emotions are running wild. I start to write an email to my brother and my emotions all start pouring out in short directed phrases. I finish the email and send it off.
My brother calls the next day and says, "Did you mean to write a poem. It was actually quite good" to which I replied "What poem?". It seems my outpourings poured out as a poem. I was pleased with the way this exercise made me feel so I continued to try my hand at expressing my emotions in this manner and that's what makes poetry so meaningful.
SURREAL. . . .
The war is being fought just a few miles away but Life goes on. . . .
Missiles and bombs fall virtually nearby
We hear a 'whine' and 'their' sirens
We hear the Iron Dome catching 'their' projectiles with a loud Thump!
And the war goes on . . . .
Streets are lit up with street lights and signs
Even the tiny lights encircling the Palms
Vegetation lit by green lights – our Mayor's idea
And the war goes on . . . .
People shop for food and school supplies
Shelves are plentiful – no rationing
Traffic flows and people are out walking
And the war goes on . . . .
Restaurants are active
People are ordering
Waiters are serving when a Thump is heard
No-one blinks – it's over the next town
Someone complains "no sweet potato fries!"
And the war goes on . . . .
Pizza signs blinking
A line at Burgers Bar
Golda's Ice Cream is crowded
And the war goes on . . . .
Fruit and vegetables displayed on open green grocer
Sales on clothes and toys encourage the economy
Life continues on in a blurred bubble
Life beneath the surreal bubble cries terrified!
WAR FOG
Woke up to gray skies or was it War Fog?
Heard planes again and again during the night overhead
Was there that much 'action' that the skies are so fogged?
Hear the Thumps of the Iron Dome interceptions
Winds of destruction strews War Dust that falls everywhere
Hear the screech of missiles flying
Will Israel's skies ever shine again?