Boomerang

Love unlocks tongues and changes the past...

Boomerang                             by Sami S. Khalil

Faces pale as fine porcelain; bodies lifeless as nails; blank stares as vases; vultures gliding in wide arcs; clocks ticking in eternity, unfastened from the war raging around in Vietnam…The beach scene added to the mystery, after discovering none of the neatly arranged American soldiers had bullet hole signs or shrapnel wounds. Although serene looking, it was a frightening sight.

Even the placid Buddha would be awakened from his meditation to witness what befell humanity in its horrible reality and the suffering in this battered country.

As doctor Michael Moore, alighted from an army Jeep, was called in duty to solve the mystery, he glimpsed among the hundreds of faces a familiar one that clutched upon his memory; it was his younger brother among the dead. Across the beach was some sleepy store fronts, closed for business, boarded up because of the conflict, with Vietnamese women walking fast up and down, carrying fruit baskets, donning brimmed hats. The doctor took it all in as he approached closer and closer the bodies. Upon further investigation, he observed trickles of blood coming out of the ears. It was baffling indeed. But as an expert in the ways of torture, he came to the realization that concussion bombs were used by the Viet Cong, which rendered the American soldiers unconscious. Then they used sharp metal rods, like the ones used for Shish Kabobs, inserting them from ear to ear (Hence the dripping blood). Oh, what a gruesome find! It was unbearable.

The doctor became speechless, literally. Stunned, stunted, he threw in the towel, quit the profession, took a vow of silence and, upon returning to the States, filed for disability, using sign language from there on. He had seen before maimed bodies, heads cut off and placed on rifles as a psychological warfare, but this topped them all, especially including his brother. Many a nightmare ruled his nights. Life became a living hell, strewn with gloomy laments. In this instance, he saw death from the perch of pain, lost his mind, his grip, becoming nearly insane. He became inconsolable, taking full responsibility for the brave he couldn’t save. He kept unabashedly reprimanding himself and the politicians in Washington for starting this whole thing, faulting the power hungry and for-profit grabbers in a compendium of lies. For tricks and lies do endure if we believe in them and act upon them.   

 

 

He needed further assistance from God, whom was nowhere to be found, as he thought. He asked God for deliverance and guidance. As the paroxysms of sad emotions overwhelmed him, he heard a faint sound that said: “Be patient. Patience is a virtue. There are billing options to the blues of life. There are whereabouts to the commuter, broken-bladed by its edges. Everyone owns a sunshine and a cloud, a holy book and a rifle, tethered to one’s roof or basement. Wars have some heroes, many outlaws and juggernauts. Peace has soaring Eagles and gentle Pigeons. Be hopeful.”

Energized, the doctor went about his life, wandering around the Great Lake’s region in his small boat, living in a tent, hunting and fishing for a living. The idyllic charms of the lakes contrasted with his unspoken emotions.

After 20-year hiatus, political relationships were restored between the 2 countries. The doctor decided to visit the same beach, to reflect upon the past and where his brother was found. As he strolled down, on one side he saw many kids playing with Boomerangs which one of them almost hit his head before dodging it. The other side was booming with renovated shops. Caught up in his thoughts, he heard loud cries of help. A young-looking Vietnamese lady was drowning. He immediately took off his clothes, jumped in the water and proceeded to save her. Laid on the beach, doing CPR on her, he felt a bolt of energy through him. So, did she upon her waking. The connection felt like an old-fashioned charm between the two. As her eyes locked up with his, his tongue was released from the vowed silence, as if he forgot he ever made it.

He held her up, hand in hand, walking by the beach as the evening was bathed in blue and the moon glowing in red. She shared her story about how she became an orphan during the war. He shared his experience of the war, too. Few happy days passed, and they both felt inseparable. He was leaving in few days, so he asked her to put everything behind, marry him and move to the States where he will reopen his practice. To remind him, he placed a Boomerang purchased from one of the kids on his office wall as a symbol of something.

Fast forward, they lived happily ever after.       

 

Reviews

[mattavelli]

Hello, Sami! :)
I enjoyed this. I especially liked your description of the dead soldiers, porcelain; and the way you unfolded the story, a climb out of tragedy, the irony, and the boomerang. This is a meaningful write, giving me thoughts of us all being shaped by our experiences. Thanks for sharing.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! So true and well said sir Mattavelli. I can't thank you enough for the visit and sharing your treasured thoughts. See you soon.

[barleygirl]

I have never heard about this kind of warfare, but it certainly does have a gut-wrenching impact to read about it. Our longtime comrade Coyote Poet (John) often writes about the horrors of war & I agree with his ongoing campaign to write about the senselessness of it. Your story, altho hard to read becuz of the graphic nature of the violence & also becuz of the intensity of this guy's freak-out after he withdraws, this story is the poster child for SHOW INSTEAD OF TELL (the old writer's adage). I love your use of specificity, but the opening felt vague & nebulous & hard to follow. I don't agree with your habit of sometimes going philosophical at the beginning of a piece. The reader has no idea where you're going or what you mean by this cryptic blathering. I would rather see, especially in a hard-hitting piece like this, try opening with something intense. Like line number one should be this guy watching someone stumble out of the jungle with a spike thru his/her head & blood running down. I'm not into gratuitous drama, but since you have that horribly dramatic detail buried at the end of a too-long paragraph, why not move it to the opening & blow your audience away properly? Just a thought! This isn't as strong & clear as some of your latest stuff, becuz it feels tangled up a bit. But your point is well-made & shown in an unforgettable way (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Thank you so much for this wonderful review and voiced opinion. Glad you like some aspects of this story. Take good care and stay safe.

[emmajoy]

' Everyone owns a sunshine and a cloud, a holy book and a rifle, tethered to one’s roof or basement. Wars have some heroes, many outlaws and juggernauts. Peace has soaring Eagles and gentle Pigeons. Be hopeful.”

Perhaps what goes around, comes around: the doctor began and ended at the same place but what he discovered first to second time was completely different. Id rather not mention the happenings because that would spoil your extraordinary story for yet to visit reviewers. However your descriptions are powerful in every sense, in each situation. Relieved to find that there was no extra melodrama,, could have been overloaded - as sometimes happens. Your poetry used to be, still is, beautiful, moving.. your stories are same but every so often there's something special in some way or other, this is just that. What he did for much of his life, must have incurred certaim and extra conflict..

[Sami Khalil]

Who! What a powerful review full of truth and one that speaks to the heart of man and matters. You astound us with your multi_layered talents. A simple thank you and a genuine God bless.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Sami, it was delightful to have an uplifting finale to your story after a start of death and destruction. Quite a gruesome story I might add and one of great contrast. I would like to think that love is a great healer and this couple were able to put their bad experiences and misery to one side and bathe in the glory of love. Love changes everything. Hope you are keeping safe and well my friend.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! I'm bathing in the truth of your logic and beauty of your words. You have summed it up marvelously. Thank you so much Chris. Stay well and safe.

[Pryde Foltz]

The mind is so complex; we do not understand its power to both heal and torment. Sometimes it creates it own triage. We do not understand that the mind must be taken in hand with consciousness and guided towards healing. Sometimes it takes the loving hand of another to point the way.

Wonderful penning:)

[Sami Khalil]

Whoaaa! I love your take on this story and the explanation thereof. So true and well said. Thank you kindly and God bless. Glad to see you .

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Sami... someone very close to me went through a similar experience... he became lost in a world of bombs in Vietnam... I found him on a street corner still lost .. but found by me... he also saved me from confusion .. and fast forward... we are still together... so I know you are a prolific writer in my Book 📚.. gently, Pat

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Amazing indeed. I'm so glad to hear that. Thank you kindly for the gifts we share and for the reviews you dare.

[Patricia Wedel]

Still waters run deep... deeper than my soul and my mind... is how I feel. Through this Poetry site I have gained a better perspective of who I am and how I can learn from experiences. It is Wise to be aware that we are like Wheat in the field... needing sunshine and rain to be ready for the Harvest that will nourish others. gently, Pat

[Sami Khalil]

Whoeee! So true and well said.

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed the complete tale dear Sami. Life can lead us away from and back again.
"To remind him, he placed a Boomerang purchased from one of the kids on his office wall as a symbol of something.
Fast forward, they lived happily ever after. "
I did like the above lines. I was a boomerang myself a few times. Thank you for sharing the outstanding story.
Coyote

[Sami Khalil]

Whoa! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us dear poet and friend. It is good to open up and share. Pleased you have visited, too.

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed the work and you are welcome Sami.

[Sami Khalil]

Stay warm and safe and keep up the creativity. Gracie millee....

[Lydia Shutter]

I can understand how shaken Dr. Moore was....how appalled he was at the tortured human bodies that were scattered on the beach. And to find his brother among the bodies....horrifying. Yes, a vow of silence was his refuge. When he returns, the boomerang is that life goes full circle. Where he found death and destruction, he now finds love and life. Such a beautiful story, Sami. And a happy ending....which I always love. Great artwork too. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! I knew you would like it. You have the artful eyes. As for the message, you nailed it on the head. I hope all our lives can come full circle to normality. Thank you so much Lydia. Peace and love.

[Sami Khalil]

Note: There is a hidden message too for what the boomerang represents as a metaphor.

[Yellow Butterfly]

'As her eyes locked up with his, his tongue was released from the vowed silence, as if he forgot he ever made it'

The whole story was filled with sadness and harrowing tales of the horror that is war and what atrocities it brings. Yet..you spun it on it's head and left me feeling happy and overjoyed to read that the doctor... finally found love and happiness....and his voice again!
Wonderful Sami...and I love the imagery that accompanies this gorgeous write. :)

YB

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! I love your take on this write. I'm so grateful and ecstatic when you visit and comment. Much obliged. Glad to hear that from my readers. See you soon...