Sunday 29 December 2013

Spirits



Disappointed with myself
I feel nothing
Shuffling with your silent spirits,
Circling around the cold, callous, concrete coffins.
I feel nothing.
Am I just a hollow husk of humanity?

Breaking into my reverie,
A ray of rare winter sunlight
Penetrates the impenetrable.
Terrifying teenage laughter follows. 
A glimpse of you
Glances the desolation of my soul.
I understand, do I?
Happiness happened in horror,
Hope harboured in hopelessness.
Thank you kind spirits.



A response to a visit to the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin.
Stay with me, I hope to be more cheerful soon.
Sharing in the Poetry Pantry at Poets United
http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.co.uk

29 comments:

  1. *•. ¸*•.¸*•.¸*•. *•.¸ ¸.•*¸.•*¸.•*¸.•*¸.•*
    *... *...*...*░ HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!░* * *...*...*
    ¸.•* ¸.•*¸.•* ¸.•*¸.•* *•.¸*•.¸*•.¸*•.¸*•



    much love...

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  2. It must be overwhelming to be right in that place, haunted by so many ghosts. I love your addressing the "kind spirits" who must be close by, grateful that you are there honoring them. Bless you.

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    1. Hi Sherry
      I have been in worse places, Hitlers bunkers near his mountain home, for example. This one left me cold til I started to write about it and then it started to move me. I had been worried that I was a cold heartless so and so.

      Ciao
      Pea

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  3. You have captured well your feeling about this experience. This would be a very hard place to visit, and I am sure that there are spirits there who never rest.

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    1. Mary
      it felt like it was full of spirits.

      Ciao
      Pea

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  4. a poem of ghosts and demons.. but with a shaft og light... well written

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    Replies
    1. Robert,
      the shaft of light came just n time.

      Ciao and safe travels
      Pea

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  5. A very daunting place, I agree. Have you visited the Jewish Museum in Berlin? I found it most informative and thought-provoking.

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    1. Gabriella
      I did not have too much time and was under doctor's instructions not to walk too much, I've busted my ankle some how. But I did go to an exhibition about the SS Topography of Terror, which was horrifying. In fact Berlin was chock full of horror, happily some good things and good memories for me as I have spent a lot of time here in the past.
      Ciao
      Pea

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  6. Replies
    1. Yes Vandana
      As long as we all remember and not allow it to happen again.
      Ciao
      Pea

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  7. alliteration in closing lines is haunting....wish you a very happy new year...

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    Replies
    1. Sumana
      I'm glad, I was a little afraid I had gone too far, but on reflection decided to leave it.
      Happy new year to you and yours too.
      Ciao
      Pea

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  8. Your footnote brought perspective to your poem. That must've been depressing. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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    Replies
    1. Suzy, thanks for going to the footnote. It was an odd place and surprisingly I did not feel the depressive side until I left it.
      Ciao
      Pea

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  9. A little scary, not a fan of haunted places. Nicely done! Happy New Year! :)

    Best wishes
    Ankita

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    Replies
    1. Ankita
      I am the biggest scaredy cat out, ask my kids. I watched a horror film with them the other night, couldn't go upstairs on my own afterwards.
      Happy new year
      Pea

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  10. I know too. Your body feels hollow in that place. Too horrible to feel.

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    Replies
    1. Maybe you have hit the nail on the head. To horrible to feel.
      Pea

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  11. A glimpse back to what happened conjures disappointment and hollowness much to the point of hopelessness. Humankind passing judgement that sent shivers through the generation. Nicely Pea!

    Hank

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    Replies
    1. Well it certainly had a generational effect
      cheers Hank

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  12. You describe a trip into hell.. I get almost a feeling of Dante in your words... really strong writing...

    Hope you have a great new year --- just like the light in your poem

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Björn, you are too kind.
      Looking forward to reading more of your work next year.
      Ciao
      Pea

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  13. I can only imagine the lingering weight of emotions. Sometimes things are too much for our soul to grasp...

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    Replies
    1. That is very true. Have a good new year
      Ciao
      Pea

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  14. Loredana, there's always hope. Have a lovely new year.
    Ciao
    Pea

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  15. these places can evoke strong emotions, because well, they are supposed to do so. i am glad you write about it so that your voice will be added to those who speak out against such inhumanity.

    have a good new year!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. Speaking out is a small step, but at least a step.
      Have a lovely year too
      Ciao
      Pea

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