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Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Back in October, the gentlemen who presides over the Poetry Society I attend, gave us an interesting challenge. The poem theme was color. At first I wasn't sure what to write or how to go about it until I reread a few passages concerning the battle of Stalingrad. This is what I came up with. Tomorrow, I'll add a few photos and some audio.

Ukraine 1943

The days have become endless.
No matter where I look,
I see nothing but white.

There is no identifiable landscape.
My mind pushes forth images
Of the past, attempting to
Recapture missing hues.

I dream to see, the greens of
Pasture grass, the stunning yellow of sunflowers,
Or even the dark rick brown of a fresh,
Tilled field.

Despite the most valiant attempts
To recreate a rainbow of fluorescence,
my eyes only see endless rows
of waxen terrain.

At times, an ashen face or body part
Protrudes from the frozen tundra,
Revealing a small blotch of dried magenta,
Reminding me how close death stalks.

My soul slumps with the endless snowy show.
No life stirs in the landscape.
The few comrades who survived the onrush
Of metallic giants, have since succumbed
To the frosted, blanched land.

For me, I care not whether I live or die.
I only wish for a glimpse of vibrant colors
Before this bleak, endless bleached land,
 swallows me whole.


Copyright@2013 LDDJ Enterprises Publishing Jeff Dawson


Saturday, November 9, 2013

I spent the last five days with my daughter. Why? Well, she and my oldest son took me to dinner on Sunday for my 54, yes I won't lie, 54 birthday. When we returned from the fine meal she started having bad stomach and back pains. I left six hours later only to return within another four. The pain had reached unendurable levels. Bottom line, her gall bladder was a bit out of whack and needed to be removed. With the surgery successful, she came home to rest. Her girls decided they wanted Chinese for dinner. Okay. Below is the fortune I received. 

 We had Chinese tonight. I know, what' the big deal. Well, it was the fortune cookie. Only I could receive such a moving message, and I quote, "Today's preparation "H" determines tomorrow's crowning achievement.


How’s that for a pertinent fortune. And yes, the following day, everything moved along nicely.