BLENDED FLESH

Difficult times

Empty streets, blinker lights, smog, sirens

ghostly show of nightmares

trapped in small crevices

breathe each other's sick breath

This, my home town

angry at its loss of showtime

anticipates transition

into the world's best

naked now, dreams of what used to be

gradual, resolute, heated flesh

promises to unleash

watch, hope

teardrops of boredom, suffocate

until an earthquake of relief

swoops over my city of blended cultures

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you paint a universal picture here of so many cities and towns, ones that have become ghost towns, with boredom locked behind closed doors, and silent screams coming from the occupants.
the world as we know it or knew it...seems lost forever.
Hope that quake comes soon.
You live fairly close to my sister who lives in Deep Gap...
oh, those beautiful mountains...i have been through Black Mountain so many times and have stopped there often overnight on my way to Whispering Pines when I used to visit the folks.
I feel your showtime will eventually return, it has to.

[Betty Hermelee]

Jacob; what a great review! Yes let’s hope the relief is near; always, Betty

[barleygirl]

Being self-isolated in the wilderness for the last 10 years, I lose sight of the turmoil of which you write so powerfully. Seeing glimpses from the sidelines, I find so much of the turmoil to be incomprehensible, with some people stubbornly on "one side" & others clinging to the "other side" -- when from afar, it looks like everyone is suffering malcontent for similar reasons, a mess not so clearly defined into different sides. Your poem shows how messy it can feel as our issues blend into a bigger overall realization that this isn't working well for anyone (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Patricia Wedel]

Yes, blended cultures require kindness. Our leaders need to
remember that they were elected to "help" others... not to
just fill their pockets to buy homes and cars, etc. Being a Patriot
is not taught to the extent it should be... from the Cradle up.
Being a good person is helping others to realize that only love and hard work can build a Community of peace and goodwill. tenderly, Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

You are spot on Pat, coming together for the good of all is of most importance; thanks Pat!

[Lea Sheryn]

I hope, too, that relief is near.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks Lea, as always, Betty

[Lea Sheryn]

You're welcome, Betty

[Dara]

So very well said. A perfect description of so many towns and cities now. It is just surreal. Hopefully, as the saying goes, "The show must go on." and will albeit tentatively at first. I enjoyed this immensely.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much, Dara, good to see your visit again!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I'm good sitting at home and minding my own. The thronging hordes and herds can throng on without me. I'll have an umbrella drink, throw a steak on the grill, grab my guitar and pretend I'm in Tahiti. I'm too creative to be bored. There aren't enough hours in the day. That's my biggest complaint.

[Betty Hermelee]

First, thanks for the review, and second, I totally agree with you; Between my poetry and my art, i could keep busy, with the hours passing me by

[alanwgraham]

H i Betty. You have caught the present feeling of disbelief, anxiety and uncertainty perfectly. What makes it worse is that it's an invisible foe. Lockdown goes against all our instinct s. Living in a village is much easier and we can escape easily for walks runs and bike runs. Normality is a distant dream - did we really live like that?
I think there may be one typo - should it read crevice?
Look after yourself.
All the best, alan

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Alan for a lovely review, I will fix the error!

[Chris Shaw]

This is what our towns and cities have become. Empty, silent, no sign of living. Incredible how they have changed so rapidly as a result of this deadly virus. I saw footage of the centre of London, near Marble Arch. The city of my birth, it was desolate at dusk. Your words are eloquent and paint pictures for the reader dear Betty. Let's hope it won't be too long before the colour, noise and life return. Uncanny and eerie at present, so deathly.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Here’s hoping it fades away in due time, that’s just hope, not reality! Fondly Betty