All I have is memories of memories –
like feathers, plucked and swirling –
the fires they lit at the end,
in places that had been kept dark
for years. Dancing. My father
handing over hollowed bread,
a telegram that broke a woman.
Bodies in the water.
The horses, being led away,
through the farm gate. Lost.
A city full of women. Children
without fathers, running wild.
A man walking. Feathers
that we grasp and grab. We press them
into wax, make wings of them
knowing that Icarus will fall.
Bjorn is hosting at dVerse, and asks us to write about war. I found this a difficult prompt. As I say, I only have memories of memories about war – my parents’ experience of WWII as small children, stories I’ve heard from that generation and the generation above.
Sarah, this is chilling.
-David
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Pingback: How do I write about war? — Sarah writes poems | The Wombwell Rainbow
Wow–Sarah. I agree with David–chilling, like nightmare snippets.
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Heartbreaking. (K)
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Very movingly evoked ❤❤❤
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It is hard to write about war if you haven’t experienced but I think you’ve done it so well here.
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My goodness this is incredibly hard-hitting, Sarah! The image of “Icarus will fall,” is most apt!
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So much chaos, death, and destruction. WAR SUCKS!
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You have gifted us with a beautifully composed poem …..
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I think those memories of memories do leave an imprint… when I grew up WWII was still in fresh memory… it even affected our toys and the games we played.
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Those fleeting memories will always be with you but we must hold onto snippets so we never forget.
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feathers….wisps of memories….knowing Icarus will fall. Chilling indeed.
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Ooh, that ending was eerie and telling. Well done, Sarah!
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Thank you!
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An amazing poem, Sarah, that is reminiscent of my childhood, the feathers of memories my grandparents, their relations and friends when they shook out their feather pillows of experience every now and again when I was listening. You made us all descendants of Icarus..
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