Piece of Me

I can still feel the weight of the heat colliding with my face as I first stepped off the plane, 
And how beads of sweat would tickle my neck the same as when it rained,
How the harsh odor of the atmosphere would nauseate my nose,
And the courage of a people despite our impose,

I hear the splashing of the Tigris as I kneel to rinse my hands,
And how it felt to think that nothing’s promised, even on promised lands,
From wailing sirens and the buzz of the Phalanx at night,
To the popping of shots and the whooshing of helos in flight,

From the honking of horns and roads without lanes,
To swishing through traffic and the jingling of chains,
I hear the whispers of prayer being broadcast through the air,
And the murmurs of locals and their unwelcomed stares,

To the thuds of percussions from bombs in my chest,
Detonated afar but still rattled my vest,
But of all that I remember, I’m fully aware,
That I've left a piece of me there.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Thomas Avatar
June 6, 2023 at 11:42 AM
Trauma takes all forms, and I felt the oppression (almost) beyond expression, though you found a beautiful way to say what you wanted to say! Thanks for sharing, thanks for caring. It shows in the poem.
Thacker Avatar
June 6, 2023 at 2:52 PM
Thank you for the kind words, Jennifer. And thank you for taking the time to visit some of my poetry. Your feedback means a lot coming from such a skillful poetess as yourself.
Agatha  Avatar
November 5, 2022 at 4:26 AM
This is so touching and I see a feeling of a lonely thought
Thacker Avatar
May 8, 2023 at 8:57 AM
Such a pretty name. Thank you, Omokri. Writing in the style of onomatopeia was a fun and helpful way to express the experience there.
Duncan Avatar
September 6, 2022 at 5:43 PM
very well said
Thacker Avatar
September 8, 2022 at 12:54 PM
Thank you, Debbie.
Davis Avatar
September 5, 2022 at 10:16 PM
An amazing poem! Although I wasn’t there, I felt your pain and heartache. The recognition of being an invader, an intruder, a foreigner! Although you believed you were there to do good, you are not welcome. The feelings of someone risking their life every day for people who felt they had no choice but to except the foreigners, guns and bombs in their streets. I’m truly sorry for your experience of heartache and loss. Your poem speaks volumes. Congratulations ????????????
Thacker Avatar
September 8, 2022 at 12:04 PM
Thank you so much for the kind words, Joanna. It truly means a lot to me.
Davis Avatar
September 5, 2022 at 10:17 PM
Sorry ??? Should be hands clapping not sure why it came out as ?
Ray Avatar
September 5, 2022 at 4:54 PM
quite the capture of the fog of war which never fully abandons one memory....well done
Thacker Avatar
September 8, 2022 at 12:55 PM
Thank you, Timothy.
Cornwall Avatar
September 5, 2022 at 3:12 PM
Shane this poem is quite lovely and I enjoyed reading. They send poems to my email and I read a few lines and most don’t catch and I move on. But I enjoyed yours .
Thacker Avatar
September 8, 2022 at 12:56 PM
Thank you so much, Patrick. I'm so glad to hea this.
Parker Avatar
September 5, 2022 at 1:29 PM
Outfreakinstanding, Mr. Thacker. Amazing word. Thank you for your service.
Thacker Avatar
September 8, 2022 at 12:57 PM
It was my pleasure, Arlo. And thank you for your kind words.
Robertson Avatar
September 5, 2022 at 12:40 PM
Hard hitter. Very good ??
Thacker Avatar
September 8, 2022 at 12:57 PM
Thanks, Milton.
Calasibetta Avatar
September 5, 2022 at 12:08 PM
Shane, this is a stunning poem! You have crafted an onomatopoeia that speaks volumes ~ “the thuds of percussions from bombs in my chest” ~ this is truly a poem that is felt beyond what is being read. Sorry, I missed it before. :)Paulette
Thacker Avatar
September 8, 2022 at 1:02 PM
Thank you, Paulette. I am so glad to hear that. These poem challenges have been a wonderful outlet for me.
Kitchin Avatar
July 31, 2022 at 7:17 AM
Shane, a well penned, captivating poem, congratulations on your winning placement!
Thacker Avatar
September 8, 2022 at 12:03 PM
Thank you, Tania.
Logan Avatar
July 30, 2022 at 3:55 PM
Well done for a place on the winning list, Shane.
Thacker Avatar
July 30, 2022 at 7:48 PM
Thank you, Jenna.
Fowler Avatar
July 30, 2022 at 1:39 PM
Wow, this is a great glimpse into a harsh life Shane. Congratulations on your placement in Emile's contest! Linda
Thacker Avatar
July 30, 2022 at 7:49 PM
Thank you, Linda.
Pinet Avatar
July 30, 2022 at 11:23 AM
Congratulations Shane! Your poem earned a distinguished place in my "Onomatopoeia Poetry Contest." This contest had many good poems entered and yet yours rose to the top ten, you should be proud of your placing, this was a fun contest to judge, well done my friend, Emile.
Thacker Avatar
July 30, 2022 at 7:50 PM
Thank you, Emile. This was a lot fun. I had never heard of Onomatopoeia before. Thank you for allowing me to enter. I never expected to be anywhere near the top 10.
Kyser Avatar
July 28, 2022 at 7:50 PM
Excellent, captures your attention from the beginning
Thacker Avatar
July 28, 2022 at 8:04 PM
Thank you, Jeff.
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