One morning Leroy and I walked happily
Enjoying bird song interwoven with sweet sunshine
Suddenly: B O O M
Startled we hunched in fear
As if one could dodge a bomb
I looked around
All was still
A deep, heavy silence loomed
Until a second BOOM
Then another
The military missile range rehearsed war
On the other side
Of my peaceful mountains
Annoyance replaced serenity
Then I wondered
"How would I feel
If the booms I hear were real?
The deep silence - the song of death?"
Guilt with compassion merged
I considered my faux tiny trauma
Versus experiencing a barrage of explosions
That really kill
My morning walk was ruined
I tried to hurry home
I tried to hurry home
But Leroy slowed us down
He was still enraptured
Sniffing all the awful smells he loves
Because dogs know how to be
Only where they are
Not I
I had such a moment yesterday, in my case seeing how obese so many north americans are, living in excess, and throwing away food, while millions world--wide are starving.
ReplyDeleteYes, like cats smells inform us. Bombs don't belong in civilization nor anywhere I can think of. They are crazy!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your empathic reminder. Your inconvenience/irritation is someone else's death and suffering...
ReplyDeleteI can understand your fear, Myrna. I wonder too how one would feel if the booms were REAL. Quite frightening, I think.
ReplyDelete(I was able to post your link!)
I so know the feeling. I am always thinking of all the suffering around the world.......thank heaven for doggy joy, which is such a pleasure to watch.
ReplyDeleteLuv the progress of events and the unveiling of dog Leroy. Nice one. Thanks for dropping by my Sunday Standard this week Myrna
ReplyDeleteMuch love...
I can really feel the boom here... i think war is way to close these days... as if all problems could be solved by violence.
ReplyDeleteAnd sadly in so many parts of the world it is all real...
ReplyDeleteA startling scenario....practice or real...neither is what I would like. But yes being in the moment is all we have that is real in our lives.
ReplyDeleteSometimes best to walk slow...getting all the news by way of sniffs, my cat knows this truth.
ReplyDeleteThis is so potent in its simplicity and truth. Sometimes we tend to take the little things in life for granted..
ReplyDeleteHmmm, a deeply thought-provoking piece. Oh to be as clear and straightforward as a dog!
ReplyDeleteThis was really powerful...your experience really puts things in perspective, doesn't it? If only we could be like Leroy.
ReplyDeleteI am glad the BOOMS were not bombs.
ReplyDeleteI so relate to this poem.....the peacefulness, the war practice on the other side of the hills, the concerns and the dog, fortunate being, able to just enjoy sniffing all the good smells. Sigh. Well said, Myrna!
ReplyDeleteBack for a second reading 💜 a truly powerful and thought-provoking write.
ReplyDeleteI've had the same experience. We get speed of sound booms from military jets that scare dogs and babies ... and me! Such an intrusion but the bigger question is the one you ask.
ReplyDeleteYou took a very serious topic and ended it with perfection.
ReplyDeleteZQ
But Leroy slowed us down
ReplyDeleteHe was still enraptured
Sniffing all the awful smells he loves
Their sense of smell can often relate to good anticipation of more blasts! It helps having them around
Hank
A fascinating scenario that gives pause ... and you have written to it so well, Myrna.
ReplyDeleteSadly some of us have heard the booms of war when life was like that. It is a pity that more do not appreciate silence broken only by the sound of insects or gentle voices.
ReplyDeleteA striking scene, the contrast of tranquility one moment and the sounds of violence the next. A sign of our times?
ReplyDeleteIt's scary how we ready ourselves for war...
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
When those unexpected BOOMs come into our lives, our response is everything...and nothing...
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely.
ReplyDelete