There are no birds
How do I describe it? It was not like anything. It simply was.
The dragon of war has belched fire everywhere. I tread carefully over rubble and pieces of unknown things–fetid things I cannot name, do not want to recognize. Figures slither and lurk in the shadows. I step away. I think all the beauty is gone from the city. Lilacs release their sweet, wild perfume then bow down. Heavy with rain that is now falling in fat drops, I bow, too, as though to the god of the inevitable. I hear the whispers of ghosts all around me, but it is the living I fear.
I live in a nightmare. “To sleep perchance to dream,” the tragic prince said. But I think there’s little difference now. All the birds have flown away. I wonder if I imagined the lilacs.
Written for dVerse Prosery. This might be part of my series, but I hope it can stand alone. It could be almost any time or place in history. The prompt line to be incorporated within the text is:
“…city lilacs
release their sweet, wild perfume
then bow down, heavy with rain.”
From Helen Dumore’s, “City Lilacs”
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
We both wrote about a city without living things. I like your title. It adds to the apocalyptic feel.
Thank you, Melissa. I think there are some living things in mine, just waiting.
What a sad sad landscape you paint… but those lilacs would be there to mourn with the landscape I think… maybe pour a little life back again.
Yes, I think you’re right. It’s like when you see flowers in sidewalk cracks or on driftwood. They grow even in unlikely places.
Stunning last line.
Thanks for droppjng by to read mine
Much♡love
Thank you so much, Gillena! 💙
I wonder if she has just come away from the square and knew some of the executed prisoners?
She probably witnessed scenes like that. I think there’s a lot of trauma in her past.
I can’t imagine anyone living through the war years who wasn’t either protected or a collaborator not being traumatised.
I agree. Any war, I imagine.
yes 😦
Powerful stream of consciousness. It feels like she’s shell-shocked.
Yes, I think she is. I just said to Jane, she’s witnessed a lot of horrible things.
What a powerful piece of prose, Merril. So sad that it is happening around the world in real time. I love this line…
I hear the whispers of ghosts all around me, but it is the living I fear.
Thank you very much for your kind words, Dwight.
You are very welcome.
Very tragic.
Yes, thank you.
You’re welcome.
I’m always glad to see another prosery! I think this line captures the essence of the story: “All the birds have flown away. “
Thank you, Liz. I just found this comment in my WP spam. 🙂
You’re welcome, Merril. I have to remind myself to check my spam folder every day.
I check mine. . .hmmm. . .less often. 😉
i do check my regular email spam every day. I don’t check WP spam comments.
The volume of spam comments on WP has greatly decreased in the last few months; however, the legimate commenter does occasionally get dumped in there.
Too many times and too many places. Haunting. (K)
Thank you. Yes, you’re right–too many.
amazing poem and so sad
Thank you, Beth!
The details almost overwhelm even as they linger, communicating the hopelessness and fear. A stellar write, Merril.
Thank you so much, Dora. I’m so pleased you think so.
My pleasure, Merril. 😉
It most certainly can stand alone.
Thank you. I’m glad you think so.
hopefully the lilacs will entice the birds back.
Hopefully so.
Good morning, Merril, although you’re probably asleep as I write this, and coincidentally, on this dull morning ‘there are no birds’. Your prosery is so atmospheric and cinematic – I imagine it in black and white. I love the sentence: ‘The dragon of war has belched fire everywhere’, which really sets the scene along with the ‘rubble and pieces of unknown things’, and the lilacs give it all a sense of the past. And the uncertainty in the final sentence is perfect.
Hi Kim–not much birdsong here either this morning in the rain and snow! Thank you so much for your lovely comment and close reading!
It certainly does stand alone – which I was thinking even as I thought it was part of your series.
Thank you, Derrick. Much appreciated.
This is fabulous, Merril! It definitely stands alone and it for sure could be part of your series. No matter what, it was wonderful.
Thank you so much, Dale! 😊
My pleasure!
Yes, this piece can standalone. I could see it as part of your series, but my first thoughts when reading was of Gaza. “I hear the whispers of ghosts all around me, but it is the living I fear.” That sounds so much like someone living in a war-torn city … so, yes, it could be anywhere at any time. So evocative of the horrors and sadness of war.
Thank you, Marie. I thought of Gaza and Ukraine, but any war, too.
Hi Merril, a wonderful piece contrasting beauty and horror. Really how I would imagine witnessing sites of devastation, too.
By coincidence, I am reading a book of short stories, ‘Perchance to Dream,’ by Charles Beaumont!
Hi, Steve! Thank you so much for your kind words.
That is a funny coincidence!
Sorry I haven’t checked in with your songs for awhile. It’s been a busy couple of weeks.
You’re welcome, Merril. All good, I have a tough time keeping up with all the blogs, too. Come by anytime you can. 🙂
😊
Fantastic write, Merril.
I love this.
Lilacs are my favourite flowers.. you got me big time when you/she wonders if they’re imagined.
Yes, it stands alone!
Thank you very much, Resa! I’m so pleased you enjoyed the story!
Nicely done, Merril. I like the sent and sight of the lilacs in the midst of the devastation with no birds.
Thank you, Robbie!
💓
Even in the aftermath of chaos and destruction there are glimpses of hope, the end question is to me just a double checking – Did I?
Thank you very much, Paul. I like that.
🙂