Reflective Writing - Spring Offensive

War-torn. A frigid landscape, locked in a winter of uncounted discontent. A life shredded by days, months, years of internecine destruction, as two unyielding powers vie for dominance. Craters pock-mark the landscape of this fragile soul. The harsh sounds of warfare a constant, unceasing backdrop: ravaging concentration, focus and peace.

He screams a silent scream. A scream that emanates from the deepest recess of his harassed psyche but which presents as a numbness; an emotionless barrier of slack-jawed visage and glazed eyes. One more connection, one more unbearable, unreasonable, hurtful connection could finally destroy him. So, he affects a demeanour to repel all incursions. The barrier holds and his war-torn nation survives. For now. But the daily effort takes its toll. Like a weary man struggling through knee-high mud. Like a trapped child fumbling in the dark. Like a pain-wracked soldier slowly bleeding out into the thirsty, unyielding earth.

There is though, amidst the frozen cacophony, the faintest of sounds, the tiniest hope. A whisper amongst the whistling rockets and thunderous explosions. A whisper that becomes a beckoning call: calm and strong, steadfast and soothing. A promise of life.

Between his fingers a snowdrop slowly buds, and beyond the horizon a light shimmers and coalesces. The inconceivable promise of spring.