midnight, Tuesday, May 18^th, 1999

Air Raid in Belgrade

     Tonight, just after 10 p.m. I went out to take my dog for a walk. I was somewhat calmer than usual, as there still was no sound of warning to air-raid danger. There were no street lights, as usual in last several days. The sky was cloudy and dark. I live in one of New Belgrade housing projects, and I am grateful for that, as the light coming out of the appartments breaks the complete darkness. The only sound to be heard were the vioces of the children playing among the buildings. My dog Cheda and I enjoyed our walk, almost forgetting why it was so dark. And then out of sudden. The red flash among the buildings.

     Suddenly some uneasiness around. The bang of the detonation. Cheda started to bark. I took him in my hands. Then another flash. Then another sound stroke. At least there was the sound of the sirenes. Wailing, admonishing one. People were on the windows. Mothers called for the children to come inside. The sound of shutters closing, from all the sides. Gradually, the sounds were becoming quieter, and then I realized that Cheda and I were left alone. There was this silence, almost the complete silence, and almost the complete darkness. The only sound to be heard was the panting of my dog and only an occassional window let some light out. It was quiet and almost un-natural. We took one more round of a walk and returned home, as I was feeling uneasy. Around us it seemed like all the life was exterminated.

Violeta