Monday, 23 December 2013

Interpretations, part 1

Inspired by a visit to the Holocaust Memorial, Berlin, Germany

I don't understand.
It's a good thing, I think.
I stand amidst these concrete sarcophagi
I don't understand.

 I don't understand.
What was the artist thinking
When he envisaged this?
I don't understand.

 I don't understand.
How did this  intolerable termination happen?
How could humanity countenance this?
I don't understand.

 I don't understand.
Then I think of Sudan,
Then Syria, Afghanistan.
I still don't understand.

 I still don't understand.
What is happening now,
Here in my world.
Though, what have I done?
Impotence, can one person make the difference?
I understand now.

 Sharing with Poetry Pantry on Poets Unitedhttp://poetryblogroll.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/poetry-pantry-181.html#comment-form

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29 comments:

  1. Kerry O'Connor23 December 2013 at 19:27

    Some things defy understanding, and yet they happen and continue to happen in one form or another. Your poem poses necessary questions. Would there were answers.

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  2. Susan23 December 2013 at 19:42

    Impotence might be just a feeling. At least in my dreams. Sigh.

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  3. Jinksy23 December 2013 at 20:41

    Ours is not to reason why...

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    1. Pealogic23 December 2013 at 21:50

      Ours is but to do or die, except we don't.

      Delete
  4. revelations23 December 2013 at 21:09

    questions.. that can't be answered... madness can never be understood.. thought provoking poem.. Pea

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    1. Pealogic23 December 2013 at 21:51

      I can only think it was madness. Take care Robert

      Delete
  5. Susie Clevenger23 December 2013 at 21:15

    I like the repetition of the question...who can understand war? I am a merely a tiny speck in the world trying to make a difference at least to those I come in contact with. A wonderful piece..

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    1. Pealogic23 December 2013 at 21:52

      Thanks Susie. If we all try to make these differences, then it postively affects the whole. Good on you.

      Delete
  6. steph23 December 2013 at 23:18

    The repetition adds a real punctuation to the poem. There is no understanding, is there? I think writing about it is doing something, and it matters.

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    1. Pealogic24 December 2013 at 10:44

      Steph, thank you. Perhaps writing about it does make a difference.

      Have a safe and peaceful Christmas time.

      Delete
  7. Mary24 December 2013 at 01:12

    Sometimes I DO think it is a blessing NOT to be able to understand. Your poem makes its points VERY well.

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    1. Pealogic24 December 2013 at 10:46

      It is a blessing, Mary. I would hate to be able to see into a mind that could contemplate such evil.

      Take care and have a lovely Christmas.

      Delete
  8. Grace24 December 2013 at 02:52

    I don't understand it myself ~ I don't think we will ever find the answers ~ This is a very meaningful write ~ Thanks for sharing ~

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    1. Pealogic24 December 2013 at 10:47

      Grace it's just a shame that such evil acts still take place, I hope not on the same scale.

      Have a peaceful Christmas time.

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  9. kaykuala24 December 2013 at 03:32

    One cannot understand when viewed with logic. But it is plain to understand if the perpetrator's mind is known. It has a lot to do with historical happenings which in twisted minds had hoped the atrocities bear solution. A pity! Great that you brought it into the open!

    Hank

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    1. Pealogic24 December 2013 at 10:50

      I sort of understand the history, but not the mind that can take historical events or perceived slights and do this.

      Have a peaceful Christmas.

      Delete
  10. madhumakhi24 December 2013 at 04:08

    It's always that one person who can make a difference. Mahatma Gandhi said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." We can't control what happens around us but we can at least control how we react to what happens around us. We can't understand why it happens the way it does but we can understand that we have the power to be happy despite everything. It's great that a sacrophagus sparked off such a lovely poem.

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    1. Pealogic24 December 2013 at 10:53

      Well now,I try and remember that every little action can make a difference, but life happens and I guess you forget. Gandhi, now there is a hero.

      Have a peaceful Christmas time.
      Pea

      Delete
  11. Vandana Sharma24 December 2013 at 06:08

    nicely done

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  12. J Cosmo Newbery24 December 2013 at 06:39

    All fair questions. And I look at Gaza and wonder if the lesson has been learned by the victims too. :-/

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  13. Gabriella24 December 2013 at 10:16

    I think pure evil is just something we cannot understand. But we can, and in my mind should, remember.

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    1. Pealogic24 December 2013 at 10:55

      We should definitely remember. I did not understand te thinking behind this memorial, I just didn't get how the artist decided to make of it what he did. However, writing about it is helping me to understand his perception.

      Have a peaceful Christmas Gabriella
      Pea

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  14. Pealogic24 December 2013 at 10:48

    Thanks Loredana

    You have a lovely Christmas.
    Pea

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  15. Anonymous25 December 2013 at 21:19

    if all we can do is observe, then observe we must. ~

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    Replies
    1. Pealogic27 December 2013 at 11:25

      Yes indeed Grapeling, even when it is painful.

      Delete

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