Tuesday, September 1, 2015

THE WATCHMAN – three poems.

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THE WATCHMAN  - "Watch"  a poem 
inspired by Björn Rudberg at dVerse
The notion of conscience and accountability is perhaps one of the central essences of what it is to be human – a concept that is here presented by the symbol of the “watchman” …. Here are three quick associations ….




Watch

Born to bear witness
to not turn away from
memory of buildings falling
to ash cindering september
air – born to bear witness
to look with steadfast eyes
on mountains of shoes and
bones - testament to cruelty
Born to bear witness as the 
bloat-bellied children cry be
they close or globe afar flung
The marble turns- from navied
night to noon blazing sun –
the watchman records all in  
indelible ink upon the souls
born to bear witness – for it is
they who shall enrich the soil
of the future with the ash of
remembrance

























2 after-thoughts....


No witness

“I did it” the small
child shouted proud
running in through
the door announcing
a kindness to another
“You have undone all”
spoke the grandfather
with your telling –
you have enlarged
only your own ego –
A watchman is silent,
silk moving smoothly
in grace of thought,
and mitzvoth - seeking
no witness
ever



The White Rabbit

It was a child’s tale
of looking glass and
wonderland and yet
it is the white rabbit
watching the time to
reach a slippery date
this vested lagomorph
who lingers as the first
watchman–scurrying to
best his best under stress
and duress – as time slides
sideways  



19 comments:

  1. Pearl, each of these is so strong. They awe me. The first one moves me most of all, in fact gives me chills. When you write, you WRITE! Whew.

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    1. Oh my goodness Mary - thank you very much ... I surely will have sweet dreams aftr such a lovely comment... :)

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  2. Oh the first one is so strong, really there's the reason the watchmen need to see, there's always a cause behind it all. Wonderful to read you words.

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    1. Thank you Bjorn - your comment means a great deal to me - deeply appreciated

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  3. Love the wisdom, the messages, the metaphors, the power of these...

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    1. Oh Nurit - thank you - Powerful comment on my attempt at the prompt that moves right to my heart.

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  4. Wow, all excellent interpretations of "the watchman" theme! This phrase grabbed me, "the watchman records all in indelible ink upon the souls born to bear witness" and I learned a new word (lagomorph) - thanks for sharing.

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    1. I refreshed my memory on this new word. I did enjoy writing the line you chose. Thank you so very much for stopping - your comments are so very very much appreciated.

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  5. All three are such astounding pieces :D Bravo!

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    1. Oh Sanaa - thank you so very much - high praise indeed - you humbled me

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  6. Oh.. Lord when do humans become
    so shy.. to not share achievements
    in life is a disorder
    that i used
    to have..
    named
    Autism..
    i finally get
    over it..
    and i hear
    about it
    again..
    smiles..
    again..
    quiet is
    only for
    those who
    care not to sing..
    and that's OK too..
    as even in the
    rest of the
    animal
    kingdom
    about
    20% of
    all species
    are suggested
    to be born this way..
    but perhaps even
    they can
    change
    too..
    as we
    more or less
    share the same
    epigenetic potential
    for change.. IF the
    challenge for that
    IS enough..
    but enough on
    that i sing..
    i sing..;)

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    1. Not quite sure how to respond to your comment - thank you for stopping by.

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  7. Each one is unique but the first one is an amazing response with "born to bear witness" ~

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  8. I enjoyed all three of these. They are all very different, yet each is a perfect response to the dVerse prompt. I was going to comment on which is my favorite, but I can't decide. I think the second one spoke to me most on the idea of doing to do and be a blessing rather than to be seen. The grandfather's words seem harsh, but they are true enough. Peace, Linda

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    1. Thank you so very much for stopping and commenting - I am delighted that you enjoyed my attempts and were sympathetic to the lessons of the grandfather.

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  9. I enjoyed all three of these, but the first one is riveting. It just made me say "wow" out loud.
    Very powerful message... eloquently expressed.

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    1. Oh my goodness that is a beautiful response - thank you so much for sharing it with me :)

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  10. The power of your poetry sings loud and clear.

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