Selected Poems
Breaking the Siege
She, being defiant and inept in her choices, and in spite of our pleas; she left us defenseless
finding ourselves suddenly surrounded by one. Her refusal to react forced us into this siege.
Stalked by an unseen familiar enemy, who hid at length by day and lurked round every corner at night,
we avoided lingering in doorways or walking past windows. Shutters were drawn down, all the time
Constantly looked over our shoulder for fear of being followed, wondering if we were being watched.
We crossed streets with cover, behind passing buses and cars, avoiding sniper alleys and fatal funnels.
We learned to live cold, in a cellar and blacken the casement windows with our heavy woolen blankets.
Refusing to venture out at night, not wanting to become suddenly surprised or a target of opportunity
we patrolled a perimeter and read license plates, anticipating the wrong combination, on any grey van
We froze as cars parked or drove by. We crept on street-side grasses, hunched hidden behind trees.
We bristled, prepared to possibly fight for our lives at any moment. There were no rules of engagement.
The hills had eyes and possibly longer ranged weapons. We clutched our sticks, gripped bricks and rocks.
We locked every door; searched rooms and closets for any signs of infiltration, each time we returned.
For months, we waged a war in our minds. Then one night after the “confrontation”, it suddenly over or
so we thought. All along she lied, aiding the enemy, having been in constant communication with him.
We blame and hate her since, for causing the needless siege. So, we chose and life went on without her.
