Children grow
wings, flying high, far–
in the wake
we wait for
yesterday to catch up with
what they have become
Sunriseset–
the pattern of days
opening
and closing,
the inside of the circle
empties and refills
Repeating
our footsteps, echoed,
mirrored, but
not the same–
the outlines rearranging
beginning to end
Sunriseset–
the pattern of days
opening
and closing,
the inside of the circle
empties and refills
Image by enriquelopezgarre from Pixabay
For Colleen’s #tankaTuesday photo prompt, above, selected by Linda Lee Lyberg. I’ve been looking at the image, trying to decide if it was a sunrise or a sunset in order to focus my words. This made me think of the iconic song from Fiddler on the Roof, “Sunrise Sunset”. Frank’s prompt at dVerse, to compose something in imitation of something else, made me think about trying to capture the essence of the song in a shadorma chain that also reflected the artwork.
Fiddler on the Roof resonates more than ever in these times, when so many are homeless, driven from their literal and spiritual homes by money, politics, war, ignorance, power and greed, when so many are left abandoned, wandering or imprisoned. A world that offers few peoples and places that will welcome refugees and attempt to heal the empty spaces, few places that are not afraid of strangers, of humans who are not exactly like them.
This scene in the play never fails to move me: in dark times, there is still a place to come together in hope, to light a candle, to dream.
An antidote to my poem posted on The Ekprastic Review today.
K. 
I like how you have seen children in those birds leaving the enclosing circle. Fiddler on the Roof was a great film and one we don’t hear about too often.
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There have recently been two revivals here in New York. I went to the one a few years ago…as wonderful as I remembered.
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It’s such a good story. Quite topical too in these days of discovery that women exist and they have voices and brains.
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This really does demonstrate how the days of our lives pass and our children grow up.
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So quickly…thanks Robbie.
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Your artwork is beautiful Kerfe and compliments your poem well. I recently got some Irridescent watercolor to try… 😊
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I know you’ll enjoy them!
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I like your description of the inside of the circle emptying and refilling.
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Thanks Frank.
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This is verybeautiful and thought provoking. Your poem has some wonderful imagery that complements your artwork.
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Thanks Suzanne.
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Oh, my goodness! I love that song. When I read your title, I immediately thought of the song! I pondered on the image myself, not sure if it was a sunset or a sunrise. I felt the birds (some have surmised they are bats) were flying at sunset. Of course, I was drawn to the birds. LOL! What really grabbed me was the circle: emptying and refilling, turning like the wheel of time: birth, death, rebirth. Your words always speak to me! 😀 ❤
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Thanks Colleen. It’s good when an image can take you in multiple directions. Linda chose well.
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I agree. Lots of magic in that photo. ❤
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Love your response
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Thanks Jude. It was a good image to work with.
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Holistic and healing, there is a feeling of peace as I read it.
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Thanks Jade. There are always little pockets of peace.
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Kefer what I say so that you begin to understand…im back from hibernation
Wonder what’s been happening with your Wicked pen..a pen with ink that is natural..never without..always on point
Dude what’s up
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Sheldon! So good to hear your voice. I’m still here and now you are too. Hope to see some art and more words from you soon.
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Changes, step by step, yet we have those impressions from the past, like a veil over the present, to remind us of what we hold dear.
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It gets more and more tangled as time passes.
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To think of days passing as sunriseset is really very evocative… and alas I feel also the speed of change.
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Thanks Bjorn. It definitely weighs more heavily as time passes.
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Yes to everything about this, Kerfe. I heard the song, too, as soon as I read your title. I think we’ve probably discussed Fiddler before because I’ve mentioned it. I know I thought about it in these times quite poignantly when I heard the Fresh Air interview with the man who played Tevye and Joel Grey, the director , on the Yiddish version. Of course, they could be my ancestors. . .
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It’s a very human story that touches us all. Although it’s specific in its cultural setting I think one of its strengths is that we can identify so strongly with the characters as people just like us or those we know, facing situations we understand.
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Yes, very true.
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Sunriseset. Beautiful words, painting too. Loved Fiddler years ago. It fits here.
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Thanks Bela.
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Hello, Kerfe! What a beautiful post. Your poem and artwork are delightful, and I enjoyed the video and song very much; it all came together beautifully. ❤
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Thanks Vashti. Everything is connected in the end!
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I believe that too. 🙂
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