Red Cross

Conceived in dire circumstances, alongside the gutter in a nameless province, the cries announced the beginning of a worthless life
A death certificate drawn at birth in a cloudless sky and a barren landscape with no shelter from the searing words and gazes
The putrid air and opaque water bathe the still and feeble corn, and alongside are those who have no means to protect their treasure
These miserable wretches, they see the vehicles pass, they smell the sweet cigarettes, but breath the exhaust fumes as they, invisible, are ignored
The breasts lie empty, the world is still except those eyes, the large, white globes that reach for pity, reach for hope

Amongst the turmoil and penetrating dust, a grey and ominous intruder steps over fragile petals of humanity
Those eyes again they flicker but with no expectation, and fall once more into submission lest dust pervades the very remnants of life
The quite becomes quieter, the worry lines and scars of torture past embrace the feelings of impending doom
In the distance the blows of metal continue, suggesting that still more resource pours towards Hades and blood might yet be spilled on ravaged flesh
The figure cannot be focused but the red cross permeates, and exhalations confirm relief as those Samaritans rest their bones and open their hearts to save the hungry

©2004 Hey Hey

Sounds like these thoughts derived from a past consciousness. Right out of the Dark Ages and Medieval times, i.e. on the cobblestone streets of France during the French Revolution, and the Knights Templars, with their red crosses emblazened on the chest of their warrior-monk vestiments.

It is a good historical account and from my line of reasoning, I really got emotionally involved in the thoughts that this poem encapsulated.

Encore.

Thank you. It hurt to write it.

I don't think it's done though. Is there no second act? There has to be for you did not put a period that concluded the poetic journey of the red cross. Freudian slip?

I had thought it finished, as the Samaritans arrived. I had hoped that the single (final) line of optimism would make more of a point after many preceding lines of "discomfort". I have decided to add a comma after permeates though.

But you are pointing something out that I will consider when I can get back into the frame of mind. Thanks for this.