My Collection of War Zones and Other Disasters

Neville

My Collection of War Zones and Other Disasters

 

I am no stranger to war zones

   or natural disasters ..

I once drove an old green VW

through the streets

of Beirut, across Syria and on

to the Lebanon

      for a laugh and sheer hell of it ..

All safely wrapped,

   in a camouflaged aid package

I hasten to add ..

I also hit, New Orleans only

a matter of days

   after Katrina had hit harder ..

And I saw with

my good eye, through smoke,

the temple

of the tooth, still blazing away

   not long after

the Tamil Tigers left it in ruins,

to rot and decay ..

And yet, while I remain loathe

to reference the

aftermath, of that last Bentota

tsunami, because

a whole bunch of dear friends

drowned in it ..

I hereby confess, the Ukraine

and the earthquake

in Haiti, were no picnic either ..

And whereas

I am far from ashamed of them,

or my time in Africa ..

When possible, I avoid sharing

the fact I still allow,

   a wife to book all the gigs for me ..

 

 

 

  • Author: Neville (Offline Offline)
  • Published: April 25th, 2024 01:23
  • Comment from author about the poem: in Africa they called me either Toobab or Sponge .. I later found out all white folk are called Toobab .. But they called me Sponge, because they said I soaked up tears
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 26
  • Users favorite of this poem: Accidental Poet, Doggerel Dave
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Comments +

Comments8

  • Goldfinch60

    A life full of seeing bad times Neville but I bet you came out of each one a stronger wiser person.

    Andy

    • Neville



      I caught the bug early on, while serving in Her Majesties Royal Air Force Andy .. There have been good times too .. I dunno about wise tho' I'm often called something quite different .. Neville

    • orchidee

      I been travelling far and wide with many adventures too - to the Co-op in the next road! lol.

      • Neville



        Fair enough, but not far enough IMHO

      • Cassie58

        You have led a full life and experienced much. You have put yourself at times in danger to help others. Most worthy. I wouldn’t concern yourself too much if you need a little help on the admin side. If you aren’t great at IT, better leave it to someone who won’t make a disaster of it:) I like that name Sponge, it suits you in the African context. A man who clearly enjoys being a traveller. Have a sunny day Neville.

        • Neville



          There have indeed been moments .. and I hope there shall be more .. Bless you Cassie & you too 🙂

        • Accidental Poet

          You may also be called a Frequent Flyer N. 😊

          • Neville



            Yep, I've been pinned to a wall a few times .. Cheers mate .. 😎👍

          • Doggerel Dave

            Salutations Neville. Don't know how to phrase this tactfully (definitely a deficiency - see recent entry above somewhere), but why the hell do you bother yourself with erotica, when you could be laying out those experiences one by one here??

            Or are they reserved for your memoir?

            • Neville



              I have been writing a lot of things down for years, I guess they could be called memoirs & I have also considered publishing but they are mainly for family .. you know, for later .. cheers Dave .. N 🙂

              • Doggerel Dave

                Had a chat with George quite recently. He is really interested in getting an introduction (you may not remember him – used to take the corner seat at the club near the window, always scribbling notes). Seems he’s getting short of material.
                You’d be happy to see him, would you? Told me his patronymic is MacDonald Fraser, though I just know him as good old George.

              • Teddy.15

                Living on the edge, I guess you wouldn't be you if you didn't dear Nev. Fab adventures. 🌹

                • Neville



                  some of them were .. ta Teddy 🌹

                • Thomas W Case

                  Powerful work Neville.

                  • Neville



                    I've got a pretty cool collection of flack jacket should you ever need one Thomas, thanks bud .. Neville

                  • Parisab

                    You have seen and served far and wide while keeping the heart of a poet…Your poems are still a breath of fresh air:)

                    • Neville



                      How kind you are dear Parisab .. I do seem to find myself in some hot spots from time to time .. Maybe the missus is trying to get rid of me .. I shall have to go check the life insurance policy .. 😎



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