A Sudden Lull (Poetry)

Sometimes there is a sudden lull —
a momentary lapse of concentration
and my body breathes a thankful prayer
as its guns go silent.

This ceasefire neither planned nor anticipated
it comes entirely unnegotiated —
pain’s absence so spontaneous
thought drifts bemused in hazy aftershock.

Flesh and bone my war-torn city
with its rubble-strewn tired streets
drinks in the soothing draft of quiet
recalling youth and its lost romantic freedoms.

Each sudden lull allows
old limbs to dream of resurrection —
blood flow rebel-strong again.
A pity then these moments come
                                        so seldom now.