SUICIDE BOMBER

by ray pool

Monday 5th August 2024 8:40 pm (first posted Sunday 5th May 2024 2:39 pm)

Mohammed had chosen Paradise as the way forward

justification for triggering death with the contraption he wore

his name would be called, of that he was sure.

his soul transplanted in some childlike new beginning.

In the aftermath he at least found beauty,

reds, mauves, yellows, splashes applied at random

a palette of pain on pavements, sand, especially on walls,

looking around he saw the shimmer of his imagined body.

Was this then a waiting room? where were the beautific clouds

and smiles, the welcome arms of kindred companions?

Just the recent death blast, a fleeing of souls

into a strange abyss of separation.

Looks of accusation drew him in to the scene -

if religion reneges on its promise then what is there?

was his last segment of sentient thought

before a black curtain became his reality.

Comments

raypool

Sat 11th May 2024 11:24

Your comment shows to me that we are both believers in the power of poetic observation and that it can rise above the merely physical and baser instincts which horror inevitably arouses. Really of the same mind which is very gratifying!

David RL Moore

Tue 7th May 2024 14:34

Thanks Ray,

I must qualify my feelings about the use of the word beauty. There is indeed an element of beauty in such horror, I have not found an adequate way of defining it though...maybe it is the individual elements which make the collective scene appear beautiful (you see my point, it sounds ridiculous)

My point of clarification is that the act itself is in no way beautiful but the resultant scene can be seen as such. It is though still a horror.

The word beauty can be coupled with horrific acts, the fact that few people see such things probably tends to act as a repellent in their minds.

It is difficult to capture and quantify, even harder to relate and explain such emotions. I commend your writing here. I hope that isn't too presumptive of me as I have no more qualification than any other person might have.

David

raypool

Tue 7th May 2024 13:59

Thank you Mark Tom Blackrose Aisha and Landi and Hugh for liking the poem.

Hi David. First off, i'm very sensible of the fact that you have the inside knowledge of this kind of venture, and that it can't be an easy place to make a comment. Therefore I regard it as of special merit that you have given it your thoughts, and I take from them that I can claim some measure of success in the description. My imagination is all I have, but I feel the presence of colour can heighten awareness on a purely visceral basis. Beauty takes big sweeps under its wing, and although this is hardly the place for it - I included it .
The most fruitful arenas of experience are often the ones that give no answers and perhaps that's how it must be for us to take something from them even if it is only despair. Good thoughts mate.

David RL Moore

Mon 6th May 2024 07:55

Hello Ray,

Honestly I tried to avoid commenting on this poem. I have read it many times and have been pulled back repeatedly to the second verse. Its description of an aftermath as beauty is spot on and reflects the imbalance of a mind which might consider such a futile wasteful act as worthwhile. Surely only such a mind could see beauty in such horror.

I once saw the obliterated remains of six people in an enclosed space after such an event. The image burns into one's pre-frontals never to fade, unlike the curtain experienced by the bomber. The vivid colours of such a massacre are unforgettable.

My apologies for the personal relating..but I wanted to highlight the accuracy of your remote observation.

David

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