Module 2: Writing Prompt/ Nadia Colburn Writing Course

 Listening

 

I hear:

 

The surrogate baby’s cry as it waits to be claimed.

 

The old woman living through a war again,

weeping and shaking in the doorway of a bunker,

begging for the nightmare to cease. She only

wants to end her life in peace.

 

The bombs dropping, 

the buildings collapsing,  

the screams in the streets.

 

The ice cracking in my heart

leaving:

shards of compassion,

weak faith 

unused rosary beads.

 

 

The meditation tape hums.

Breathe-in, breathe-out

Visualize: Ukraine at peace

 

The engines sputter and die

 the abandoned tanks rust,

guns lacking bullets mound on the ground,

the whirr of planes without bombs hum 

hitting the tarmac 

 

The home-coming train whistle

announces

the return of mothers and children.

Squeals of joy mix with sobs.

A sigh, home at last.

 

Hear the squeak of boots as Russian soldiers 

with frozen feet go home to

warm socks, hot soup, dark bread, 

and a shot of vodka.

 

Breathe-in peace

Breathe-out relief.

 

 

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