An article in the Smithsonian
alluded to the Holy
Shroud of Turin.
The image of Christ
seared radiologically
into a burial cloth.
A violent burst of energy.
A life-seed
in a closed space
blowing out boundaries.
Stories of an empty tomb.
Easter comes early
this year.
Daffodils explode in
the front garden,
sheltered by a warm wall.
April eighth,
nineteen forty-four.
A seed plummets to earth,
wrapped in a metal
death-womb.
Ejaculated from heaven,
it burrows into dank soil.
Buried.
Fragmented.
Combusted in another
surge of energy.
Months go by:
a year to the day.
Someone in the
War Department
types the letter on
a piece of onion-skin paper.
Words smudged by an
over-used ribbon tell
the woman to move on with her life.
The child will never call him
daddy.
Footnote: a few years ago Easter Sunday landed on April 8th, the anniversary of my father’s death. He was killed in WWII when I was 3 months old.
[…] three months old, leaving my mother a 22-year old war widow. In the interest of brevity, here’s a link to the poem I wrote the year that the anniversary of his death coincided with Easter […]
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[…] three months old, leaving my mother a 22-year old war widow. In the interest of brevity, here’s a link to the poem I wrote the year that the anniversary of his death coincided with Easter […]
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[…] three months old, leaving my mother a 22-year old war widow. In the interest of brevity, here’s a link to the poem I wrote the year that the anniversary of his death coincided with Easter […]
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Very poignant and beautifully written and specially as a dedication to your father was too touching. I liked it and specially the words
“Daffodils explode in
the front garden,
sheltered by a warm wall.”
Touched my soul.
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
Twitter @VerseEveryDay
http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com
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Thank you, Shashi.
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[…] Jingle's Poetry Rally–”April Eighth” « liv2write2day's Blog […]
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The significance of the event was doubled (or more) by the placing it with the other equally important one! You did it so cleverly here…
And although the poem is a very moving one, I am awed by the the way you have written it! It conveys pride and reverence more than just sadness…
Bravo!!!
And thank you so much for sharing this amazing poem with poetry potluck.. it’s an honor to be made part of your life experience..
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Thanks for your kind comments, Kavita
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Lovely, sad, and skillfully written. The desciption of the bomb dropping – compared to an ejacutlation .. the one giving life, the other taking it.
Heartfelt prayers for your family … Grief seems to have a long life and often a very subtle one.
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Thanks, friend
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Thanks so much. I value your input.
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You have written a powerful poem. The part about the seed plummeting to earth gave me chills.
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A very poignant piece.
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Thank you, Nessa.
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I am quite lost for words, am amazing piece of poetry.
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This is sad and yet the way you wrote it is stunning. :))
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Thanks so much Easton. Have a happy Wednesday.
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The resonance of grief pervades this wonderful poem.
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Thank you so much.
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love anger rage and loss put in these words….
i wont say its a sad poem…its a poem to help you keep going as you do without him……Cheers!!!!
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Thanks for your comments.
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Sad poem. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you for stopping by.
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sad loss…
thanks for putting it in a poem for all to share….
Happy monday!
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Thanks, Ji. Have a good week writing.
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victoria, you have no idea how much your poem touched my heart. i can’t help but wonder how my 3 kids will remember their dad when they have all grown up. they were not as young as you were when you lost yours but… they were young. now when we reminisce about the old days, we all end up laughing and smiling. such sweet memories! i hope they will carry them in their hearts forever. this is truly a lovely poem!
Medieval Mist
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Thank you, Bing. You have the power to shape their memories and I know you will give them beauty.
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wonderful writing here. My father lost his father at an early age to war, as well. He has a look of “what if?” when he speaks of him.
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Yes, there’s a lot of “what if’s.” But “what is” is good. I actually based my second novel on a “what if” about the loss of my father. :o) A way-out one.
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This was too powerful a write ! Something that really tugged my heart strings as i read te foot note .. Pleasure to have the chance to read this !
PS : you asked of the poetry form i used for my rally entry “Dream chase”. Its a triolet. Read more about it here : http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/triolet.html
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Thank you, ladynimue. I will check out the triolet. I love to try new forms.
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a powerful poem — your father lives on in you, and would be most proud of your thoughts and poems, so few have this gift of expression.
Joanny
http://thedowsersdaughter.blogspot.com/
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Thanks for your kind comments, Joanny.
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I am also so sorry for your loss but so glad you were blessed with an adoptive dad. Sending you much love my friend xx
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Such tragedy…but it has spawned such a tribute. Beautiful work. I am sorry you never got to know your father, though.
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Thanks so much, Chris.
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An impossible tragedy– I am so sorry for your loss. But your write this tribute beautifully and bravely.
My potluck is here: http://mairmusic.wordpress.com/2010/02/03/week-68/
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Thanks for stopping by.
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What a beautiful way to honour a life that moves forward with you – in both shrouds, if you celebrate Easter.
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If you don’t mind, I’m going to refer a friend of mine to your blog. She wants to start a spiritual blog and I think yours would help. Thanks for your kind comments on my poem. Blessings.
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Happy Monday, link in 3 poems if you wish…
Loved your contributions and kind encouragements…
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Thanks, Ji.
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your image impresses me,
what a lovely piece.
Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for your kind words.
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This sings a sad yet hopeful song. So glad you were blessed with an adoptive dad.
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Thank you, Cheryl. Have a good week.
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I loved the juxtapositon of both events.
I’m so sorry you never had the privilege of knowing your father.
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Thank you, Talon…I was blessed with a loving adopted father a few years later.
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