Autumn Memories

It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life. 

                       - P.D. James

     Tonight silvery clouds skipped across the sky, thick gossamer curtains that blotted the cold light of the moon.  I stood on the roof of our barracks for the better part of an hour just watching the night wind chase them through the high atmosphere.  In the grip of those ceaseless currents of air they would scatter like children playing a game of hide and seek, only to reform minutes later into billowing sheets of pearlescent light.  The last time I remember seeing clouds was months ago.  During the arclight days of summer the sun refused to share his high kingdom with any usurpers. 

     The breeze lazily shuffling past was crisp and cool, like a bite into an unripened apple.  When the wind flickered past I could feel the air greedily bleeding away my body heat, but I stood rooted in place.  Because when I looked up at that jigsaw sky, endlessly reforming itself in some chaotic ballet, I could almost fool myself into thinking I was home. 

     Standing there lost in memory I started to hear the skeletal scrape of leaves bouncing along the driveway.  For a second I caught a familiar scent on the wind, the smoky tang of seasoned wood crackling on a fire.  That phantom smell was enough to soften the cold lines of the FOB, and the next breath I took pushed me even farther into memory.  For a few minutes I wasn’t on a forlorn roof…  I was home.  I could see the flickering incandescesence of a fireplace dance on my wife’s face.  I could hear her voice, as pure as a claret and as bright as the searing embers in the fire.  I don’t know how long I remained absorbed in thought - dreams and memories follow their own meandering path through time.  Eventually I heard the rooftop door groan heavily on its dried hinges, the tortured sound pulling me back across the long miles.  Back across the oceans of sand, and it scattered islands of pain and strife.  Back across the fierce shoals of vehicles and weapons that ring our encampment.  Until I was once again standing on an ugly roof.  In Baghdad.  Alone.

Comments

[Sam SoundFlint]

Mr. Thunder6, I have a little sonic piece that you may find matching your blog quite well.

[patrick]

thank you for keeping us safe

[Dave]

As I read your post, I can't help having the somewhat humorous, yet poingiant vision of Fifel in the cartoon movie American Tale, staring up at the moon, lost, singing along with his sister who - seemingly an eternity away is staring at the same moon in the same moment. I know that night in Iraq is day in the US, but as you stare up into the sky, forlorn and aching for home, know that home is staring up at the same sky and the same moon, and you're really not that far away.

[unknownchum]

Another nice post- as a fan of fall and P.D.James, I especially appreciated this one. Take care

[Chevy Rose]

Ah T6, once more you filled my plate with your tasty smorgasbord of adjectives. Delicious. God bless and press on.

[Beth* A.]

Alone right now is only temporary, T6, but together is what's permanent. Together is what you and your wife will be, with God's will and the love you share, for a good long life! Speaking of which, the days are still passing, and time is starting to wind it's way to the bottom of the hour glass you've had to watch for some time now; hang in there just a little while longer, both of you. Your reunion will eclipse the away time in a heartbeat.

[Thiago]

Hi, my name is Thiago, and im from Brazil and I just wanna say that u have a nice Blog. This post was great. Good Luck to you! Feel free to add me on MSN Messenger (ogaihtx@hotmail.com)

[CJ]

T6-- Once again, you amaze me! You have such ability with word pictures. My heart aches for you as you miss your lovely bride. But I am once again grateful that you and those like you have the courage to stand on those ugly roofs in Baghdad, and other places, to defend freedom. Thank you so very, very much!

[Lorene]

Beautiful post Danjel. May the memories you hold in your heart resurface in those quiet moments of yours...and may you feel the love of your bride and the hand of God protecting you until you return.

[Melanie]

Very poetic. Beautiful descriptiveness. You are not forgotten -- as you stand half way around the world, as you stand so distanced from those you love, as you stand a man in the line of danger. You are remembered, you are prayed for.

[MBDonaldson]

Very well said PJ! T6, I know I've said this before . . . your words are so descriptive. I feel as though I'm watching a movie with you as it's narrator and director. You have our support and prayers. I hope you can be with your bride soon!

[PJ Degross]

You have a way of making things so clear..next time I sit in front of my fireplace, I will appreciate it even alittle more...for what we take for granted at home are only dreams of our wonderful soldiers on a roof top.....so far away...you are in my thoughts and my prayers wherever you are....

[David]

Ah, but Danjel you are not alone. We are all there with you now in that time and space.