Homeland Security



We huddled close;
I wanted to tuck in

fold out bush
push back sand
and silence the wind.

We huddled close to one another;
he didn't pray but I

guided by measured breath and chant,
I rocked;

watched the light flicker in our womb.
I wanted homeland security.

We huddled close, each to the other.






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Comments

  1. Everybody needs a sanctuary, in a place or a person or both. "I wanted" makes me feel like there's an unnamed threat at the periphery of this poem. That's when home means the most.

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    1. Occupation is unsettling. This is political and intimate for me. Love when you're here.

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  2. This is so beautiful...magical...enchanting. I'm so glad you led me to your blog. Thank-you for the gifrt!

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  3. Nice to be able to huddle close, finding that security in the presence of each other. I'm jealous.

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  4. watched the light flicker in our womb
    i wanted homeland security

    those lines are the crux of this for me and its where the emotion really comes through...we def want that feel of safety and security, together.

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  5. A sense of foreboding - the repeating of 'huddled' which means something so much different than 'hugged'

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    1. M, I wrote this in response to the Iraqi war.

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    2. ahhhh. that casts this in an entirely, entirely new light. chills. this is not love, this is fear, or perhaps deep sadness.

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  6. There is something so infinitely touching about this piece, LaTonya. And an element of impending danger. I loved it.

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  7. LaTonya, this is so sensual and lush -- I love the huddling and the rocking and the flickering. Nice use of "homeland security" -- the lack of it is palpable in this piece. Thank you for stopping by :)

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  8. This poem is so tender and loving, and I enjoyed the meaning you gave to 'homeland security.'

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  9. A lovely redefining moment for "homeland security".

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  10. That is a strong line in an unexpected place in the poem. (It's not the final line, for example).

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  11. Homeland security.... a love story! very interesting indeed. Enjoyed this one.....

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  12. What an intriguing poem. Obviously a very specific place for you, but allows the reader to place themselves in their own place of insecurity! Nicely done.

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  13. o, wow. Out there, or bringing the bush and sand into our own heartland, this defines the space where security truly abides, up close and personal regardless of different ways of prayer--ths is the womb of peace.

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  14. I can feel the narrator's raw emotion. The longing for protection.

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  15. The refraining line spoke deeply: We huddled close, each to the other.

    The voice is laden with need for safety, like there is threat (real or imagined) forthcoming ~

    Happy Sunday ~

    Grace

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  16. Reading the comments and understanding the intent of the poem really brings the message home. You have captured exactly how I imagine people displaced by occupation must feel. Wowzers!

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    Replies
    1. Sherry, I had no idea in wake of the last war, we'd be at this place again.

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  17. Lorendana, I don't feel qualified to do politics in my work, but sometimes, you feel the anger and dissent boil over and you go with it. Thank you.

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  18. Huddling close to each other expresses so well how much we need each other, how much we need comfort in precarious times. "Home" really is in the arms of the Other.

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  19. One shares to get full effects of security as a group! It's the way of the world! Great write La Tonya!

    Hank

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  20. Very moving. I can only imagine as to what it must feel like to be so far away from home and having only one's own brethren for company, all the while knowing that separation is ever imminent. I respect this insight very much. Well done.

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