Destroying One Terror and Replacing It With Another

Not much to do today
caught up on some 
deferred reading
went to the store to pick up
 a few things
took a walk down 3rd Ave
 	to get some sun

Basima and Azhar 
play in the okra field
chasing each other screaming 
and laughing
jaddah watches 
from her soft garden chair
over a steamy afternoon 
in ancient Miranshah

Did some journal writing
heated some 
falafel and basmati
 for dinner
downloaded some old 
    Ahmad Jamal tunes
had some chips and hummus
and iced chamomile tea

a methodical buzzing
overhead
in the high blue sky
then two clicks
a sudden
earsplitting whistle
and sharp chunks
of scorched metal
   rip through 
the garden
tranquility bursting 
into a horror 
   of choking fire
and thick dark smoke

children freeze 
forced to see the bloody corpse
     of jaddah 
splayed in her chair 
blackened mutilated 
and smoldering

Read a bit
 of the newspaper
made some early 
bill payments
closed the light
    and laid
 down
thinking tomorrow
I must buy some milk

Latif a child 
up on the roof 
thrown 
to the ground
from the force 
   of the explosion
comes crashing
down  
cracking 
his skull	bleeding
crying 
and shrieking 
along with Basima 
and Azhar children
 of circumstance

of breaking news
   bulletins
never broadcast
of broken lives 
and unspoken deaths
whose numbers 
and names have
rarely been recorded 
or revealed 

living ghosts
left to shudder
mystified 
   and bereft	
more invisible
victims 
of the sacred
CIA slaughter 
machine

with scant
publicity or mention
in the Constitutional 
press – and for the sake
of the integrity
	of the program
	and the safety
of the nation 
and without
any prior knowledge
to deny or decide
   every American
is complicit
   every American
is taking aim 
and 
   pushing 
the button
for those 
good kills
striking at homes
in shattered
sand-filled lands
riddled with panic 
and hate and God
day after day 
and night
after
night
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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A   Avatar
July 23, 2016 at 8:58 PM
Barry,, Welcome to Poetry soup, I hope you enjoy the community. Here, you will find friendly poets who enjoy supporting one another. I myself, enjoy reading and commenting those who want to be read. The only time I give constructive criticism is when a poet desires it. However, if for some reason the poem is not my field I will guide you to someone who is more qualified than I. Stop by and read one of my poems if you like. My poems are not perfect, but I have a feeling you might like one. I encourage you to check out the contest page and read to receive comments. Tell me a little about your poetic skills if you like. It will be my pleasure to follow and read every poem you post from here on :) We are Lucky To Have you. Your New Poet Friend @-> LINDA <-@
Levy Avatar
July 30, 2016 at 6:14 PM
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and very kind comments. I welcome your criticism; and any criticism from serious-minded poets.
Dalei Avatar
July 18, 2016 at 12:38 PM
BL, Welcome to Poerty Soup. Good entry with a nice poem. Hope u will enjoy PS very much. Keep on writing..........//:) with love
Levy Avatar
July 20, 2016 at 11:45 AM
Thank you for the welcome and the very kind words.
A  Avatar
July 17, 2016 at 2:57 PM
Barry,, Welcome to poetry soup. Are you an Accomplished writer? Glad to see you enjoying it so much here. Flourishing among this community is easier than you think. Keep up the good work. *SKAT*
Levy Avatar
July 20, 2016 at 11:47 AM
Thank you for welcoming me and your kind encouragement.
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