Edlynn Nau Poet Free verse

Dispossessed

DISPOSSESSED 

Running,
Running…
We are always running, 
running again. 

I clutch my son’s small hand, 
his fingernails drive into my palm.
Running, Running again, 
and the cold is catching up to us.

Every step is slippery, against the
permafrost, and muddy sludge. 
Running, limping, run…
What to tell my son. 

Do I make this a game? 
A lie, like Santa Claus or god? 
Running, and freezing. 
Breathing hurts, he’s hungry. 

I see my husband‘s Face,
I can not look again!
I must leave last looks behind … 
and run, leave him, memorize the love. 

I see the borderline, it’s 
tall whispering figures… 
they limp, sit or stoop. 
My son is tired and cold. 

My parents are back there. 
We had to leave them down below, 
in a subway dripping, and colorless. 
They can’t do the running now! 

The lines stretch for miles. People, 
my people, but alone, sick at heart.
Sick at soul, but brave with fury,
walking, pushing, barely standing. 

Are we men, are we eighteen, 
are we women, or children? 
The two of us don’t seem to know!
In our mind, we’re still running … 

… running home, 
                              in our mind. 

-Edlynn Nau
March 2, 2022

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Paul Callus June 19, 2023 at 11:00 PM Hi Edlynn! I don't know what made me think of you this morning, and come see if you had any new posts. Found this one from a year ago, full of striking emotions, relating to people's suffering...profoundly expressed. ~ Hope you are keeping well. Warm regards // paul

Connie Marcum Wong March 10, 2022 at 12:14 AM Bless all of them in their terrible hardships, fears and pain. Your powerful poem helps us visualize their plight in stark black and white war brings. Blessings xxoo

Jan Terry March 6, 2022 at 12:23 PM The sad experiences of people caught up in conflict and occupation. Will they have a home to return to? It's on everyone's mind and weighing heavy on their hearts. Good representation of the trauma of losing one's, family, home and country and facing the unknown. ?? Edlynn Nau March 8, 2022 at 1:11 PM Thank you and I’m sure I did not do the stress, fear, and escape they are doing any justice but, I sometimes find it helpful to explore our own empathy. This too could be us!