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Friday, September 14, 2012

Friday Flash 55 — War Torn

Torn American Butterfly by James
Torn American Butterfly by James



After
the flames died to
ash and glass, blast-blackened
corridors showed the end.

They were gone,
fluent tongues stilled,
hopes for freedom killed.
Dead were they who had
given succor, their very best.

What was left is war torn, needing
heavenly repair, earthly rest.

Unseen fluttering near his corpse
and theirs: the forlorn migration
After.


Written for Friday Flash 55 - My post in exactly 55 words - for the G-Man.


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22 comments:

  1. Brian MillerSeptember 14, 2012 at 3:45 AM

    wow tight 55...grim...esp like that last two bits from...What was left is war torn, needing
    heavenly repair, earthly rest....where did you find that pic too...

    ReplyDelete
  2. izzySeptember 14, 2012 at 5:48 AM

    Wow- fluent tongues stilled-
    I do identify with this! good work-
    thanks.

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  3. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2012 at 6:29 AM

    Amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. G-ManSeptember 14, 2012 at 6:41 AM

    Lydia...
    Very powerful take on the murder of our ambassador.
    Fantastic writing.
    Loved your somber 55
    Thanks for playing, thanks for your loyal support, and have a Kick Ass Week-End

    ReplyDelete
  5. BubbaSeptember 14, 2012 at 8:07 AM

    Pretty heavy for a butterfly.

    ReplyDelete
  6. hedgewitchSeptember 14, 2012 at 8:13 AM

    Thank you Lydia, for writing so softly and seriously, for brushing the butterfly wings over tragedy, and making us see the loss we suffer. I'm always amazed by how much sheer hate is out there--some deep need to destroy that baffles me. An excellent, mournful 55.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yvonne OsborneSeptember 14, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    Senseless idiotic actions of a few moronic Neanderthals threaten us all. I love the poem. I'm so sick of the Middle East. Sick sick sick.
    You write of mournful things, as do I. Sometimes I think it's the only thing worth writing about.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Other MarySeptember 14, 2012 at 12:37 PM

    What a poignant response to such horrific actions. Thank you Lydia.

    ReplyDelete
  9. LydiaSeptember 14, 2012 at 2:58 PM

    Brian~ Thank you for being here. The image is from Imagekind.com, and I linked to the photographer's page at his name under the photo.

    izzy~ Thank you for saying good work, which is what everyone is saying about the men who were killed.

    G-Man~ Such a horrible event, and appears to have ushered in a most delicate and tumultuous time. Thanks, as always, for this avenue of expression.

    Melissa~ This does seem beyond the capabilities of heads-of-state to rectify. I know they will give it their all. And in the meantime, I wish those who are not heads-of-state would have the decency of no comments.

    Eric~ Good comment.

    Hedgewitch~ Thank you. Such a beautiful comment from you makes me feel the gravity of all this even more deeply.

    Yvonne~ Speaking of Neanderthals: the Neanderthals behind the hateful video, once rooted out from their wormy hiding places, should be tried for crimes against humanity. With such delicate balance in the Middle East it is horrible that some jerks in Southern California could bomb what relative calm there was around a 9/11 anniversary.

    Other Mary~ Thank you kindly and see you soon.

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  10. Maude LynnSeptember 14, 2012 at 5:49 PM

    Beautiful and powerful 55.

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownSeptember 14, 2012 at 7:20 PM

    This is a very beautiful and timely tribute. Love your 55! Mine is here
    Have you an AWESOME WEEKEND!
    hugs
    shakira

    ReplyDelete
  12. LydiaSeptember 14, 2012 at 10:57 PM

    Anonymous~ Sorry to have missed you in my earlier reply. Appreciate your comment.

    Mama Zen~ Thank you --

    Shakira~ Thank you, and you have a good weekend too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. MonaSeptember 15, 2012 at 3:00 AM

    war is senseless. It pushes you back a hundred year and there is irreparable loss of life too...

    ReplyDelete
  14. HelenSeptember 15, 2012 at 9:41 AM

    Lydia, somehow you managed to create a thing of beauty in the midst of the ugliness. and i thank you

    ReplyDelete
  15. FredaSeptember 15, 2012 at 9:41 AM

    It is such a shocking image of the butterfly, it needs your words to explain and somehow be an entreaty for things to be different.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Rob-bearSeptember 15, 2012 at 8:40 PM

    It is a wonderful poem. Sorry I cannot find adequate words words to respond.

    ReplyDelete
  17. LydiaSeptember 16, 2012 at 1:55 AM

    Mona~ You are so right. Thank you.

    Helen~ Oh, I thank you for saying that.

    Freda~ Many thanks for your comment. This particular photographer has a whole gallery utilizing the American flag. Quite a display.

    Rob-bear~ You honor me with your kind words.

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  18. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2012 at 2:04 PM

    Haunting. Especially the last few lines - the single word After is filled with such heavy meaning.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Folkways Note BookSeptember 18, 2012 at 1:43 PM

    War torn reflections -- troubling -- barbara

    ReplyDelete
  20. LydiaSeptember 18, 2012 at 3:42 PM

    Amber Lee~ Really appreciate your thoughts.

    Folkways Barbara~ It is all so very troubling.

    ReplyDelete
  21. MargaretSeptember 18, 2012 at 9:05 PM

    "they" say it was because of a movie.... Malarky. It was done because of hate. Pure hate. This was amazingly moving and the photo is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  22. LydiaSeptember 18, 2012 at 11:38 PM

    Margaret~ The protests earlier that day in Cairo were because of the video. From the in depth reports I've read it does seem this was planned in advance by a tiny fraction of Libyan zealots/terrorists.

    ReplyDelete

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