My first response to Hades' awesome December challenge.
December 1st...From Hades Lord of the Dead - A firework display and Watson's war memories do not mix well.
Fire and Light
Doctor Watson
Heading home
Across the deeply
Shadowed park.
Urgent call
Delayed departure;
Colder now and
Getting dark.
Did not choose
To take a cab,
Preferred to take
The evening air.
(Blanket bought for
Stricken patient
Matched the cost
Of carriage fare.)
Briskly treads
The gravel pathway
Striking stone
With sturdy cane;
Thoughts on cosy hearth
And tea;
And whether
He'll get
Called again.
~0~
Reverie
Abruptly shattered;
Loud explosion
Close at hand.
Sparks and
Shooting stars
Erupting,
Heat and smoke
And screaming
And...
Instincts from the past
take hold;
He throws himself
On frozen ground.
Rolls adeptly
Off the track,
Alert for every
Sight and sound;
Ready for
Whatever follows;
Brain and heart in
Fighting stance.
Takes a few
Deep breaths,
Recovers,
Gives the scene
A second
Glance
~0~
Crowds indeed
Are shouting loudly;
Peaceful park
In disarray
But...
No death,
No blind destruction;
Simply fireworks
On display.
Doctor Watson sighs,
Stands up,
Retrieves his bag
And dusts his coat.
Lets his heart rate
Settle down
And muscles ease
In tightened throat.
Carries on
To Baker Street,
His back now turned
On fire and light.
~0~
Vivid Maiwand
Battle scenes
Will banish
Restful sleep
Tonight.
~0~