Post Traumatic Dream Disorder

Last night he had a feverish dream

He was swimming in a sea of red 

Screams hovering above him like distorted seagulls

Bodies floating on the water around him

Slimy green and white

The sky was orange like it was on fire.

He was panting, his eyes bulging from their sockets

He was in agony, but he couldn't speak

He wasn't allowed to

He was never allowed to

The bodies were moving closer 

His sweat was running down like acid rain

His fists clenched

He couldn't scream

Or he would be heard 

He would be seen

He had to endure it all

The bodies, the smell, the disfigurement 

The screams of death

He had to

A plane flew over him

So loud SO LOUD

and the rifles BANGING

His ears started bleeding

His nose 

His eyes shrieked in horror

If that was even possible-

His body twitched

He was trying to wake up but the bodies had gotten hold of him

He would die in that dream

He couldn't let go 

They wouldn't let go 

A loud yell and his heart was racing

His eyes opened fearing what they'd see

It was dark but for the sunlight piercing the curtains

A beautiful contrast

Like his loud laughter and quiet sobbing.

Reviews

[alanwgraham]

Our masters send these men out to do their dirty deeds but don't reap the consequences themselves. War doesn't end for many when the peace is signed but can rerun for a lifetime in the nightmares of these poor guys. You've described it well Marina.
All the best
Alan

[Coyote Poetry]

One of my favorite writers, Salinger. He and another soldier covered themselves with dead U.S soldiers to hide from the Germans near, in WW2. The poem made me think of Salinger. The nightmares, he must of kept. Powerful and demanding words made the reader believe. Thank you Marina for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[John the Baptist]

This graphic description of horror sounds very much like what a traumatized war veteran might dream. It made me think of the sinking of the cruiser Indianapolis in 1945.

[Marina]

Thanks,I'm glad it came out so "alive".

[Paul Bell]

Very deep this one.
Had images of being alive under dead bodies.
Even the holocaust comes to mind.
Mind you, my dreams are all meat-related at the moment.

[Marina]

I'm waitng for something new of yours to show that meat hungy side.

[Paul Bell]

Just killed the butcher for shutting early.

[Marina]

Hope you have a backup butcher...