CAUGHT

In the dark of night

sirens scream to warn

lights flare like fiery shooting stars

which swoop down on cities and countryside

decimating everything in its path

 

Innocents go about their daily lives no more

prisoners of war, they desperately wish to win

yet with little sacrifice

first siren, second, then down to their cramped bunkers

damp underground spaces of worried faces

no revelation of war’s end

when they can resume normalcy?

 

My American 22-year-old Grandson

is one of those worried faces

how will he get to his sister’s wedding on time

the trip of a lifetime, to end day after war began

now a prisoner of chaos

caught in a conflict he understands

yet there is no way out

airspace shut

when will he return home?

I pray there will be a ceasefire soon

innocent Americans in a bloody war

I am heart-broken

 

 

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading

Reviews

[Soren]

Poignant and real war is never good except for the greedy that benefit from weapon sales and reconstruction in its aftermath. It is the innocent that suffer. A heart felt poem of its ripple effects and how it affects us all.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks always Soren for your spot on reviews, appreciate them....
Warmly, B

[Arundass TP]

Politicians pull the whole world into chaos. They dont know how to think. Good poem

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you TP for your spit on review!
I totally agree😊
Warmly B🌷

[Pete]

disturbing. not good when the innocent are restricted by it. wars have unmeasured fallout. when will we ever learn?

[Betty Hermelee]

It was hell for a while until he and group escaped to Cypress... we'll never learn ,too many differences
Thanks always Pete!
Warmly B....

[jacob erin-cilberto]

What we need to cease is getting involved in wars that our not our business. We have to rule the world and make everyone like us.
I sure hope your grandson comes home safely.

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear J , thanks for your comment; luckily he came home safe after a long journey via Cypress.. then commercial air…ong trek, but he made it in time for his siister’s wedding as best man !
Warmly
B🙏

[Gee]

Hi Jacob(both) Trump sure is screwing up if attemting to make the world like the USA!

[Buddhistboy73]

A powerfully emotional description of the effects of war.....all wars are futile ultimately in my humble opinion....

This is why I can't understand countries going around the world getting involved in other countries business only to make situations worse....!

Thanks for sharing your words on this topic Betty...:)

BB73

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for your always spot-on words, much appreciated....
Warmly, B

[Vol]

Betty,
After all my hippie life, my Christian life, my family life, my happy life, my betrayed life, and all the others, it has been my experience that humanity's most accurate identifier is BLOOD! If we are not shedding it, someone else is, our souls are dark, our hearts, too... We aim high and fall short always... I am at the point that I want my world as narrow as I can make it. There is nothing I need I don't already have, (except a suitable lover) and I am happy where I am at because the world is on fire and there is ABSOLUTELY nothing I can do about it... except find one more tiny flower, pink or yellow in the grass so can marvel at its intricate beauty... lying there dead in the palm of my hand.
War is who we are... and try as I might, I cannot think of a more bloodthirsty group than we Northern/Western Europeans. We are Best there is, we are the worst there is.
No wonder we are so confused.

[Betty Hermelee]

War/blood, why does it have to be t that way, especially when a loved one is caught in the middle and had to find his way to freedom virtually by himself, stranded on Cypress for 24 hours in 100 degree heat, smelly clothes, then begging for a flight to Europa, some got on others did not....
Thank you for your thoughtful observations about everything!!!!
Warmly, B

[Neha agrawal]

This is a **powerful and heartbreaking** poem that captures the sudden, brutal disruption of war—especially for innocent civilians caught in its path. The imagery is stark and vivid, contrasting the **horror of destruction** with the **mundane concerns of daily life**, making the tragedy feel even more visceral.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Neha for a lovely and honest review!
Warmly, B

[Mauricio Montoya]

Betty this write is deep, wow! The images in every word bite as one reads to feel the emotion of a story could this be true or could it happen to anyone. Caught believing right can't be wrong.
Thank you for sharing.

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Maurico..It was a harrowing experience for him to get home...we're so happy now! Thank you for your understanding review....
Warmly, B

[Lorry]

A life known all too well by so many, with not only the chaos of war to live through but also the everyday thoughts of seeing your life return to normal, with so much outwit your control.
The whole "war is hell" concept doesn't ring truer than this, when we take the time to see that it isn't just nations, but many individuals, with their own lives and stories they want to continue and see a normalcy return to the chaos of the world we find ourselves in today.

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Lorry, yes it was hell for a while… but the U.S. govt along with the Israeli navy got them by boat to Cypress and flew them home inChartered planes……
safe and sound…. the war may become mow deadly and more involved….thank you for your comment, most appreciated🙏🙏🙏😊
Warmly, B

[MCS]

Praying your grandson gets home safe very soon. The chaos is too much and in every corner of the globe. The time has come to just stop. Chilling read my talented friend.

[Betty Hermelee]

Guess what? He’s home; they went by boat to Cypress then chartered flight to a Europe and USA we are relieved!!!😊
Thank you my friend for your concern, much appreciated!
Warmly
B🌷

[MCS]

What wonderful news.

[Betty Hermelee]

thank you🙏🙏🙏🙏