During the Silent Moments of War

Brittany Bassett

I befriended leaves and limbs under a blanket of stars
I dreamt of dying

My head pounded with every explosion
That sound of death kept me awake

I shared stories of home with my corpse companions
Neither of us could blink

My heart beat louder than the bombs
faster than the running feet of bystanders seeking shelter

Where’s our savior?
They ask

I followed trails of blood
Now racing against blind missiles

I tripped over outstretched arms
Their torsos lay in puddles of sweat that melted the sand

Screams were muffled by the sound of machine guns
those running feet suddenly stalled in cognizance

I stood still
letting my mind explore the endless war zone

Here in all of this calamity
alongside the deceased and above the lively

Your savior
transcendent and divine during the silent moments of war