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RIP - Comicality
    Valkyrie
  • Valkyrie
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  • 05/20/2017
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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

April Musings - 15. Bearing Witness

This poem has been in my head for a while now, but I finally managed to finish it. I'll put a link to the inspiration for it in the endnote. It will make more sense after reading the blog entry it was based on.

Bearing Witness

I came to this horrible place

To sing to the Goddess—

The perfect woman who embodies all women—

Devi Puja,

A prayer for the Divine Mother,

But when I sensed the pregnant air,

Thick with restless souls,

I asked “What should I sing to you?”

Into the silence of the barren room.

Sing to our children, whispered the air.

So instead, I sang of Gopala, the child Krishna,

To bear witness and remember.

I take all of your sorrow and

Make it mine,

But I want your joy, too.

So dance, sing, and bring the extraordinary atmosphere

Some measure of solace,

Even if it only lingers until the last chord dies.

This poem is based on an interview with musician Krishna Das after he visited the women's barracks at Auschwitz. It's a fascinating, emotional account and the end of the video contains footage of his visit and the song he sung. I hope my poem was able to capture at least some of the experience he related. I welcome all comments/feedback. Thanks for reading!

http://krishnadas.com/blog/what-shall-i-sing-to-you/
Copyright © 2017 Valkyrie; All Rights Reserved.
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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Mikiesboy

Val, this obviously touched you, meant something, because it comes through this poem like a bright light. Very nicely done. 

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Aditus

Aditus 28,575

Posted (edited)

When I visited Dachau I almost couldn't breathe. Just thinking about what has happened there, what these barracks have seen, was incomprehensible, depressing. Never again! 'Sing to our children' made me cry, as I can see that is exactly what mothers would say. A great poem, Val! 

Edited by aditus
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21 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

Val, this obviously touched you, meant something, because it comes through this poem like a bright light. Very nicely done. 

Thanks, Tim.  I'm glad the emotion came through. The interview was difficult to watch, but very powerful.  

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2 minutes ago, aditus said:

When I visited Dachau I almost couldn't breathe. Just thinking about what has happened their, what these barracks have seen, was incomprehensible, depressing. Never again! 'Sing to our children' made me cry, as I can see that is exactly what mothers would say. A great poem, Val! 

:hug:  Thanks so much, Adi.  I can't even imagine visiting a concentration camp.  I'm not sure I could handle it.  "Sing to our children" made me cry, too, as did listening to the song and the watching the emotions of those who sang it.  Thanks for the comment! 

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Headstall

It's hard to have faith when you face an example of an uncaring world. But it is faith, from whatever source we can find, that helps us through horrors so we can honor those who are victims of vicious cruelty. This was astonishing, Val. It's powerful and succinct, and stands alone, even without knowing the inspiration for it. :hug: Just beautiful... Gary....    

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26 minutes ago, Headstall said:

It's hard to have faith when you face an example of an uncaring world. But it is faith, from whatever source we can find, that helps us through horrors so we can honor those who are victims of vicious cruelty. This was astonishing, Val. It's powerful and succinct, and stands alone, even without knowing the inspiration for it. :hug: Just beautiful... Gary....    

Thanks so much, Gary. :hug:  :kiss:  

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Valkyrie
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8 minutes ago, Parker Owens said:

I love the dialogue, the prayer and response in this. It is a very powerful poem. 

Thank you, Parker.  It really moved me and I'm glad that came across.  Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. :hug: 

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Emi GS

I have never sung of Lord Kriahna, but I can say any devotional song like that can give enormous solace from all the miseries of the world. I loved Kriahna for his 'Leelas'. I even wished that he would born for me as a true mate. :*) And your poem filled so much happiness to my heart. I was floating with it. Thank you so much for sharing with us Val. Love you... :hug::kiss:

 

~Emi. 

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59 minutes ago, Emi GS said:

I have never sung of Lord Kriahna, but I can say any devotional song like that can give enormous solace from all the miseries of the world. I loved Kriahna for his 'Leelas'. I even wished that he would born for me as a true mate. :*) And your poem filled so much happiness to my heart. I was floating with it. Thank you so much for sharing with us Val. Love you... :hug::kiss:

 

~Emi. 

Thank you so much for your kind words, Emi.  I was very interested in your opinion and I'm glad the poem worked for you. :hug:  

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11 minutes ago, William King said:

 

Thanks for sharing, William. :)

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William King

I am a child of the sixties and I have spent an emotional time in an ashram chanting - it really is a spiritual experience, much like any religious experience - the little extract above is full of that same emotion - for me, although perhaps not for everyone. My partner says listening to that "horrible" music makes him want to kill himself. I just smile, turn the volume down or move into another room!

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On 6/9/2017 at 8:46 AM, William King said:

I am a child of the sixties and I have spent an emotional time in an ashram chanting - it really is a spiritual experience, much like any religious experience - the little extract above is full of that same emotion - for me, although perhaps not for everyone. My partner says listening to that "horrible" music makes him want to kill himself. I just smile, turn the volume down or move into another room!

Somehow I missed seeing this, so apologies for late response.  I'm not familiar with that chanting, so thank you for sharing. 

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