Writers often cause a chain reaction. This is a “response poem” linked to Jill’s prompt at dVerse Poetics. I’m writing a response to this senyru by Elsie at Ramblings of a Writer:
press the wrong button
at peace reading a manga
touch can tell a tale
who wrote in response to a prompt at Ronovan Writes, using words “press” and “touch”. Check out the links to follow the trail. My poem in tanka form based on real experience while visiting Hawaii last week…thankfully a false alarm!
press alert message
incoming missile threatens
touch panic button
count down minutes before end
value life with clarity
“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. -Isaiah 54:10
a poem in my pocket 
Jan 21, 2018 @ 03:52:07
you captured the panic and then the calm perfectly
Jan 21, 2018 @ 07:38:57
Thanks for your comment 😊
Jan 20, 2018 @ 19:36:14
That must have been terrifying. I like viewing life with clarity.
Jan 20, 2018 @ 21:36:30
Thanks, Sara.
Jan 19, 2018 @ 20:16:01
Horrible to be there! Horrible that Hawaii’s Civil Defense Crew is the Keystone Kops. Wonderful writing from moments of terror and too long a period of incompetence. I spent a total of three years in the shadow of North Korea under the second madman. They seem to have a progressive stupid gene. Prayer is called for.
Jan 19, 2018 @ 20:18:16
Thanks for your comments, Charley! Did you serve in military there?
Jan 19, 2018 @ 20:24:39
Yes. For one tour just below the DMZ. The “Kims” are related to bedbugs and common loons. They starve and torture their own people, kill indiscriminately, and demand more than they deserve. I hope Dante was understating.
Jan 19, 2018 @ 21:50:40
Wow, evil personified…I trust God is just.
Jan 20, 2018 @ 00:18:02
He’s reputed to be! Some of his so-called representatives can be a bit flaky, however. 🙂
Jan 19, 2018 @ 18:04:21
How awful you had to endure that! What a world we’ve inherited. So glad you and everyone are safe.
Jan 19, 2018 @ 18:06:55
You put it out of mind until you get a message like that…thanks.
Jan 19, 2018 @ 09:13:43
Lynn!! What you did with words to describe this event is marvelous! I admire how you turned the words to have multiple meanings. I also wonder at all that you and others went through over this ‘Oops’ moment.
Jan 19, 2018 @ 10:44:16
Thanks. It suddenly puts everything into perspective!
Jan 19, 2018 @ 15:17:19
I read your poem during my lunch break and I’m still reeling. Hawaii is one of my favorite places in this world – hope you got to enjoy it!
Jan 19, 2018 @ 15:24:50
We’d already enjoyed several days before the incident and immensely enjoyed the days following…visited Oahu and Kauai. A taste of paradise, really!
Jan 19, 2018 @ 15:28:39
I carry the scent of the plumeria in my memory. (My mom was a travel agent and HA was her specialty.)
Jan 19, 2018 @ 18:05:01
🤗✈️🤙🏽🐠🌺🌞
Jan 19, 2018 @ 09:12:30
Oh.. you were there… how terrifying… I imagine that it might happen one day… and that single missile will chain-react into doomsday…
Jan 19, 2018 @ 10:42:28
Relieved it was false alarm…humankind must NOT go down that road. I pray for peace.
Jan 19, 2018 @ 08:39:10
I liked your response to the senryu and the warning.
Jan 19, 2018 @ 09:30:58
Thanks, Frank…makes you happy to be alive!
Jan 19, 2018 @ 07:44:36
Thank goodness it was a drill! Or at least, it wasn’t a real attack. Your response is as blunt as the tweet!
Jan 19, 2018 @ 08:05:31
When you think you may only have 10 minutes to live…
Jan 19, 2018 @ 08:09:12
I won’t ask what you did…
Jan 19, 2018 @ 09:30:05
Prayed, texted children, and finished makeup…no where to go! Husband asked concierge and got no answers.
Jan 19, 2018 @ 09:31:18
You could have died of shock! I don’t know whether it makes you feel more alive now, but maybe it does.
Jan 19, 2018 @ 10:45:16
More grateful to be alive, for sure.
Jan 19, 2018 @ 12:18:33
I’ll bet!
Jan 19, 2018 @ 03:49:03
Wow! You were in the middle of THAT!?? First of all- I love your tanka in response to Elsie’s haiku. Thank God it was a false alarm.
Jan 19, 2018 @ 08:02:47
Yes, feeling relieved and thankful!
Jan 19, 2018 @ 13:37:47
🙏
Jan 18, 2018 @ 22:45:17
Thanks, that is a chain of events, “this is not a drill” I still think there is more to come about this event.
So sorry your Wedding Anniversary celebrations were in this world crisis, something you will never forget.
Jan 18, 2018 @ 22:46:50
At least we were together!
Jan 18, 2018 @ 22:55:43
That’s very true and it makes all these things that happen in one’s life livable.
You sound like a girl after my own heart, as long as we are together we can take anything that challenges us. Love that thought, have a nice weekend.
Jan 19, 2018 @ 08:01:27
Thanks, Elsie! We also believe whatever happens, we are in God’s hands.