Repeated History
In this place,
the mothers speak a bitter, blooded language,
their whispers of why carry through forests
and over mountains to the cool blue seas
they can only picture
but imagine following clouds
in sublime harmony, as if the air breathed
hope
at night they listen for the moon’s song
as she recalls light–
it is there
somewhere in time,
above, beneath, around, floating like
the fiddler’s tune, leading them to sanctuary
in a bright bird-dawn.
The Oracle’s Original set gave me words of doom and violence (but also the moon, fiddle, and light), while the nature set, gave me words of peaceful beauty. Both sets gave me “if.” I thought of Ukraine as I began writing, but also what is going on all over the world as authoritarian rule is growing, and how such things have happened over and over again.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
That first stanza cuts like a knife. I think my message is tangent to yours–the same sentiment, but without that violent start. Chagall crystalizes things so well in his work. (K)
The Oracle gave me quite violent words to start. I think yours, mine, and Jane’s all fit together today.
I agree about Chagall. He was born in what’s now Belarus, like some of my ancestors.
He’s on my list for doing some collage interpretations.
As Kerfe says, the opening stanza hits hard. We had the same mother, the one who screams at us from the sea and the forests to stop the massacres.
Yes, you can’t go against the Oracle. We did have that same mother.
I noticed what you did there 🙂
I didn’t even realize–hahaha. Well, the Oracle DOES know. 🤣
I think she’s a relative. Great-aunt Oracle 🙂
I think you’re right!🙂
🙂
Such darkness, badness in the world you’d, described, but, there’s, also, that, slight hint of, hope, so,ball is not, lost…
Thank you so much. Yes, much darker than I usually write, but you don’t argue with the Oracle!
I can only hope there will be genuine hope for all those suffering and oppressed, not false hope.
I hope so, too, Liz.
My goodness you can feel the sorrow and grief oozing out through your words. Very well done.
Thank you so much for reading!
So perfectly reflective of our times, Merril
Thank you very much, Derrick.
Marc Chagall’s work is so evocative and pairs well with your poetry of grief, sorrow, and a tinge of hope.
I can’t believe that my American friend with close ties to Ukraine is returning to that country again in just over a week. Maybe she is hoping for a “bright bird-dawn,” which seems remote to me right now.
Thank you very much, Marian.
I hope your friend will be OK, as well as the people she knows there. One of the dVerse poets has been a volunteer fighting with Ukraine since the start of this war. It is scary and horrible.
Agreed! These people are noble and brave in the face of horror and pure evil.
Yes, indeed, Marian.
This is a perfect pairing of art to poem. I repeat the comments on that first paragraph. It has to cut. They cannot live in constant fear and anger. If becomes such a strong word of hope.
Beautifully done.
Thank you very much, Dale.
Once I started writing, I thought of Chagall, and I came across this painting.
Perfectly paired!
Thank you!
🙂
This is like a capsule of the times.
With no roof for the fiddler in some places, that red dawn may be their only hope.
Thank you, Ken.
I hadn’t thought of that!
The Oracle is like a magic carpet, taking you all over the world, all over times and all through the hearts of humankind.
Merril, the news from Ukraine is not good, even as its First Lady visits the USA.
Why are there so many men (usually… I can’t think of any female dictators – Eva Peron was a wanna be) who want to RULE the world? What about GUIDING humanity?
Anyway, this poem exudes hope. The fiddler is like a different kind of pied piper. He guides us to “a bright bird-dawn”.
Thank you, Resa, I’m glad you found some hope in my words.
Yes, it’s been mostly men because they’ve mostly been the ones in control, though there are plenty of women who have supported them, so eagerly, and some because it’s the only way they could survive or could protect their children.
Chagall is a perfect artist to consider in these uncertain times.
I agree. Thank you.