A Dense Fog

 

A dense fog pervades the atmosphere,

obscurring any sight of the nearby volcano.

Yet it's presence could be felt,

as the earth trembled with sulphur and cordite

 in the fetid air.

I could hear the sound of the nearby ocean,

a valve through which escape was possible.

The land was dark and foreboding,

no canopy of stars could be seen.

I stood alone fearful,

not knowing what to expect.

News from afar spoke of wars and rumours of wars,

of earthquakes, famines and celestial turbulence.

In the distance I could hear the cries of the innocent,

the wailing of those who grieved.

Bombers flew overhead,

their payload destined for some other urban place,

Drones skittered not far from where I stood.

The land beneath my feet was ravaged,

by mans inhumanity to man.

Occasionally the fog broke,

to reveal a ruined city, lifeless.

I did not want to remain there

but I could not retrace my steps.

 The fog swirled about as a gaseous frenzy,

voices beckoned to me in Arabic.

I felt my way toward them and felt a kind and gentle hand,

it drew me into a fellowship of suffering and warmth.

My fear abated as a fragment of hope arrived

A voice said, 'Peace be with you'.