Bernard James -- Burns Twice

Knock-knock, Come in, hey Bernie what’s up? Harry, you want to go to Peru?
Peru? What’s in Peru? Active volcanoes! I’m going to jump into one. WHAT?
Abby left me and I have nothing to live for. Bernie, I’m not Dr. Kevorkian.
Come on H, I already have the tickets, one round trip for you to come home.
Pack your 35 milliliter camera with the zoom lens and let’s go to Peru.
Bernie, my camera, and I at the west base of Ubinas; outside of Lima, Peru
The smell of hot wafting through the ashen skies, Ubinas is very active
Take a picture of this H, Bernie held up a 15x8 foot sign : Abby I LOVE YOU
He headed up the volcano ;  about 500 feet he turned around and waved : Click
Just then a thunderous eruption of molten hot lava, cascading down the mountain
Bernie turned and started running, the lava in hot pursuit touched his boots : in flames
He screams in pain, I’m snapping pictures as he tried to swim through scalding magma
As his legs disintegrate, I zoom in on his ashen white face, as the flames engulf his arms
For a man who wanted to die, the horrific fear on his face, the terrifying look in his eyes
A puff of smoke and Bernard James was gone. I could feel the heat of the lava descending
I run to the truck and drive as fast as I can back to Lima. In a darkroom, pictures develop
Deviously, I make a life size collage of Bernard David James ; starting at the feet---
I set the collage on fire: staring at a face afraid to die, I see the atrocity of Suicide.

Inspired and Dedicated to Colleen Bono    This is my part of the Challenge I hope it meets 
with YOUR approval…HG
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Smith-Johnsen Avatar
January 26, 2010 at 2:23 AM
Wow! HG you did it, again. Your imagination, imagery, and presentation are perfect. You have captured the feelings of suicide. The sad thing is that sometimes, in the depths of pain, the attempter succeeds before he/she gets a chance to run. And never finds out that they really wanted to live. But happily. God bless us all as we give a little bit of love to our dear cyber-friends by sharing our hearts here on the soup... and to our real life friends and relatives around the world. Love, Dane
Dufresne Avatar
January 25, 2010 at 4:43 PM
HG! Nice job on this narrative. you are absolutely right about the point made in this poem. Tolerable idea until reality strikes!.... Hey my friend ... very good to see you back. What a surprise to see you on my comments list! Wonderful. Thank you so much for your many kind and encouraging comments given as you always have since I started in the Soup. God bless you and yours. your friend, Robert
Devonshire Avatar
January 24, 2010 at 5:43 PM
Well, you certainly had me going until I got to the last line, HG. I thought you really wanted to sink into a volcano! Or, perhaps, that's where you've been...was wondering why we hadn't seen you in so long! Love, Carolyn
Bono Avatar
January 23, 2010 at 4:10 PM
thank you for everything.
Bono Avatar
January 22, 2010 at 3:28 PM
Just wanted to say hello.Hope you are well.
Bono Avatar
January 19, 2010 at 8:43 AM
New poem posted
Bono Avatar
January 18, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Yes,I got it loud and clear.Sorry I have been in the hospital since last tuesday with pnemonia.I just got home last night.I was in ccu the first night.That wasn't very fun.Then I was in an isolation room so I got the room to myself.Anyow,yes this will work for our challenge.Very nicely done.I have a couple poems in my head,soon to be posted.Hope all is well. YOUR SOUPER FRIEND COLLEEN
Dietrich Avatar
January 16, 2010 at 3:04 PM
Yes, a powerful and frightening narrative there! sorry, I haven't seen ya around lately!! Luv, andrea (so what challenge is this for?)
Owens Avatar
January 15, 2010 at 6:07 PM
Wow...what a powerful poem...Keeps you on the edge of your seat...Marty
Culverhouse Avatar
January 15, 2010 at 5:37 PM
Well, intense is not enough--suicide is disturbing, burning is like going to hades, every good southern baptist has fire insurance. but you had me captivated till the end!! BRAVO!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace