A Glance In the Past

My father recalls to me stories of his past,
gripping his fists tightly
as his faces turns gray
telling me, 
“Son it was a dark time for Lebanon”


Anxiously I continue listening 
spilling his inner suppressed memories 
“15 years… 15 years of blood and hate”


Buildings that once stood graciously in the sky
punctured by the bullets that continuously danced in midair 
Streets that were once filled with jubilant people 
now only hosted lifeless cold corpses


Men grew absent from their families
forcing women to carry lethal arms to shield their broods 
with their fingers embedded on the trigger
Lurking from street to street
in a scavenger’s hunt for vital necessities    


The excruciating smell of rot at sunrise
a mixture of decomposing human flesh and garbage 
Flooded the streets 
an endless totality of discarded wastes


After the sun departs 
the stagnant stars appear 
not a clatter can be heard on the tranquil streets


Sympathetically reaching out to my father,
removing him from the ominous nightmare he re-erected,
holding his trembling hands firmly
as I bring him to the reality of the passive present
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Davis Avatar
August 29, 2015 at 8:57 PM
Jeffrey, I am new to this site and have found your wonderful, intense, powerful, painful, vivid poems and memories. I pray that poetry is a healing expression. You are an amazing writer and I am humbled and yet grateful that you have shared with us on PS.
Davis Avatar
August 29, 2015 at 8:56 PM
Jeffrey, I am new to this site and have found your wonderful, intense, powerful, painful, vivid poems and memories. I pray that poetry is a healing expression. You are an amazing writer and I am humbled and yet grateful that you have shared with us on PS.
Sergi Avatar
August 29, 2015 at 8:02 PM
Hi Jeffrey: A very intense and story telling poem. My compliments!
Armata Avatar
August 23, 2015 at 8:50 PM
Amazing poem! Harsh and so real. Amazing poem!!
Massop Avatar
March 22, 2012 at 10:26 AM
Hard to read, for it rips at the heart and soul, but still harder to live through. thank you for sharing.
Feghaly Avatar
March 21, 2012 at 5:50 PM
Thank you a lot! Looking very much forward to this.
Brown Avatar
March 21, 2012 at 5:12 AM
A warm welcome to PoetrySoup I offer to you Jeffery. I wish for you the best in your writing endeavors whatever they may be. May you find inspiration by reading some of the poetry written here by other poets. May the sun shine on you that you might find great joy in your life. Love, Carol
Feghaly Avatar
March 21, 2012 at 5:50 PM
Thank you so much :)
Graham Avatar
March 21, 2012 at 1:11 AM
The passion you put into this poem really adds to it's impact. I love the imagery and how it reveals the cold facts of history. This is an inspiring poem.
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