“Swallowing Water”

“Swallowing Water”

cji
6/6/2011
(June 6, 1944)

(Prelude:

Ships falling far behind
landing crafts to the beach
bullets clinging in the air
calling us to the shore;

Yet blackness and sweats
nightmares called dreams
entering water churning
ever forward to the shore!)

Struggling in the waters
snipers on the far beach
gasping for breath/safety
ever toward to the shore;

Crossing barricades wires
pushing fallen comrades
calling for the medics
ever forward to the shore;

Praying aloud and soft
needing a miracle of love
prayers of those far away
ever closer to the shore;

Some now on the beach
forming up into ranks
following inland with others
ever closer to the shore;

Tanks now landing too
returning fire as possible
slipping in the water’s depth
ever closer to the shore;

Swallowing water salty
on hands and knees
then again to stand/walk
now here upon the shore;

D-Day called by some
minding one of carnage
part of war’s own hell
now here upon the shore;

Found coughing harsh
sputtering up the surf
as always and forever
now here upon the shore!

(Addendum:

Friends and loved ones
prayers heard far away
soldiers lost into old dreams
screaming for another’s aid
now forever upon the shore!)

Copyright © 2011 – cji