For the soldier, flies ladybug | Teen Ink
  1. Home
  2. Poetry
  3. Free Verse
  4. For the soldier, flies ladybug

For the soldier, flies ladybug

May 2, 2010
By nawwal SILVER, Kendall Park, New Jersey
More by this author
nawwal SILVER, Kendall Park, New Jersey
7 articles 0 photos 0 comments
View profile

for the soldier, ladybugs are dots of red
they are the red that drips from arteries
they are the red of a premature sunrise

sandwiches are foreign, as are salt and peppers and oranges
these things burned like dry grass
heaving heavy isolation as they died out

ladybugs remind him of places far away
he used to find them hiding in leafy plants in his backyard
now he hides from those haunting red dots

they burned like dead grass at the end of summer
they died out…not away
dying away leaves some hope of coming back again

for the soldier, things die out
sifting into black, empty holes better not to remember
ladybugs don’t always bring good luck

The author's comments:
Whenever I hear about war, I always try to imagine what it would be like living so far from home and so close to death. Perspectives change, connotations shift. Something (like a ladybug) that might have once evoked a pleasant memory can take on a whole new meaning.
Post a comment
Submit your own

Similar Articles

Previous Next
Poetry
To a Brother Growing Up
By imperfection GOLD
Gilroy, California
imperfection GOLD, Gilroy, California
17 articles 9 photos 45 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Dream as though you&#039;ll live forever, live as though you&#039;ll die today.&quot;<br /> ~James Dean (1931-1955), American Motion Picture Actor, symbol of rebellion

View profile
Poetry
When this poem felt eternal...
By KICK3593 PLATINUM
Roslyn Heights, New York
KICK3593 PLATINUM, Roslyn Heights, New York
49 articles 0 photos 74 comments
View profile
Poetry
Motley Crue: I really hear you
By Arbys GOLD
Dobbs Ferry, New York
Arbys GOLD, Dobbs Ferry, New York
15 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
&quot;I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity.&quot;Edgar Allan Poe<br /> &quot;A dream doesn&#039;t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work. ~Colin Powell&quot; ~ Colin Powell<br /> &quot;Wisdom is not finally tested in the schools, Wisdom <br /> &quot;A poem is never finished, only abandoned.&quot;-Paul Valery

View profile
Poetry
Do It Now!
By Lost-In-Life GOLD
Whitby, Other
Lost-In-Life GOLD, Whitby, Other
11 articles 0 photos 299 comments

Favorite Quote:
It&#039;s never to late, if it weren&#039;t for the last minute many things would never get done!

View profile
Poetry
I want a guy...
By grlgotgame BRONZE
Chillicothe, Ohio
grlgotgame BRONZE, Chillicothe, Ohio
4 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Girls with butts like mine, don&#039;t talk to boys with faces like yours.&quot;

View profile
Poetry
Cracked vase
By Dale CROUCH PLATINUM
JOPLIN, Missouri
Dale CROUCH PLATINUM, JOPLIN, Missouri
29 articles 9 photos 0 comments
View profile

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 0 comments.