who will hear our voices?
winter winds our walls
snow our blanket
old news now–
drowned out
by the latest atrocities
“Ukrainian Figurines” by Kirill Shevchenko (Groder) Image by Кирилл Шевченко from Pixabay
David, at The Skeptic’s Kaddish, supplied the above photo for Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday this week. I recently ran across a “42” poem I had written and the form seemed just right for this prompt. The situation in Ukraine is full of questions with no easy answers.
I did these collages in my early days of blogging, when Marcy Erb and I did a number of poetry and art collaborations. The poetic excerpt that inspired this work was from Frederick Turner.
On the Death of an Infant
Latecomer, first to go,
Like the small arctic flower
Between the snow and snow,
The fragrance of an hour.
Frederick Turner (b. 1943)
Every day new things demand our attention–but let us not forget the people of Ukraine.
K. 
So moving, Kerfe. And the Frederick Turner poem, too.
It is going to be a cold winter for them. You are right–so many questions and no easy answers.
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Nothing is easy right now. But we can’t lose those threads.
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You’re right.
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Wow, Kerfe, that white tissue paper… 😳
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Always layers.
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Both poems are moving. Yes, we would so love the Russians to retreat so we can stop having to think about Ukraine.
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Most people here have already stopped thinking about it. Murders on two college campuses and The Donald (again…) (K)
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All most people are concerned about is what affects them directly. Putin is a global problem though.
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Yes he is.
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The poem feels rough like sandpaper across my heart. I try to keep an eye out for news on Ukraine but the stories are getting buried under all the stupidity of politics…
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That’s true Muri. It’s hard to get past the layers of stupidity anywhere these days.
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It seems that many people have forgotten, but the winter must be deadly cold there…
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There is so much vying for our attention. But we must not forget.
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Kerfe, your artwork is superb! Your poem stirs emotions, but so does the art! I hope this war ends soon. 💜
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Me too Colleen. Rebuilding is going to take a long time.
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Let us remember all who need our support and help –
Locally and afar.
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Yes, exactly.
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💕🖖
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Kerfe, such a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to those with “winter winds for walls” and “snow for blankets” 😦
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Thanks Jade. It will be a tough winter for many, all over the world.
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These are both deeply emotional poems, Kerfe. Have a lovely weekend.
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Thanks Robbie. The world is sobering at times.
Enjoy your weekend as well.
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💚
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