In 1799, George Washington died,
the nation cried,
with solemn faces,
tears leaving traces,
salt licks of grief.
No relief,
we look at the past,
and fear the future casts
black shadows—so we mourn,
torn
between hope’s whispers, freedom’s shout,
resist, watch out.
Another quadrille for Dverse.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
“Hope’s whispers, freedom’s shout” You got it exactly….
Thanks, Pam!
A rhyming quadrille 🙂 Exactly what was needed today.
Thanks, Jane. I thought so. 😉
Beautiful, Merril. I choose “hope’s whispers.” And prayer.
Thank you. I will be choosing hope, as well, but resisting, too.
Perfect for today, Merril.
Thank you, Robin.
We’re back home from our travels and we’re watching the inauguration as I write. Here’s hoping the transition goes well and that the fears in the US and world wide do not manifest … hope whispers it is true, but without hope what are we?
I don’t think I could live without hope.
I typed up a comment but unsure what happened to it – if a duplicate my apologies. We’re back as of this afternoon from our travels and watching the inauguration as I write – your quadrille is lovely Merril – fear and hope counterpoised – here’s hoping that there is good reason to be hopeful.
Thanks, Susan. I’m glad you made it back safely. Both of your comments are here, and I appreciate that you took the time to comment again. I also hope we can be hopeful.
Well said.
And, I’m sorry. I did my part, but it’s now official.
Thanks, Ken. I know. My stomach is in knots. I’m marching tomorrow.
Good and properly somber thoughts for today. (K)
Thanks, Kerfe.
Hope is very important … and I know you will also be diligent. … and I was successful today in not watching! … not even the morning shows. … but I did watch an episode of Pioneer Woman.
Thanks, Frank. I didn’t watch–but did hear a bit on NPR–and saw some stuff on FB and Twitter. Enough to get me upset. I don’t know what Pioneer Woman is, but I hope you enjoyed it.
Pioneer Woman is a cooking show on Food Network. … I also didn’t watch the evening national news.
Oh. I usually only turn the TV on to watch dramas that I like (and usually record). I don’t normally watch TV news either.
I liked the phrase: “watch out”. It is probably good advice. It is hard to say what will happen.
Thank. Yes, I think we must be vigilant.
Excellent and powerful words. Potent quadrille. We need poems like yours to look back on and remember these shadows that need to be chased away. I’m tired of division and lies. Why won’t DT’s followers see how dangerous he is?
Thank you, Rose.
I don’t know about his followers. I don’t understand why they believe his lies.
Timely piece…..there are so many different ways to resist…..HOPE is certainly a form of resistance, too.
Thanks so much, C.C. Yes, I think you are right. I think there are some who would like to wipe hope from the minds of those they oppress.
We can carry hope and wish for some kind of possible change in character or other miracle! 😀 This was quite an appropriate quadrille, Merril.
Thank you very much, Robin. Hope and miracles–yes! 🙂
Yes, it;’s a hard place in which to find yourselves
Yes, indeed. Thank you, Rosemary.