My brother had no children, he was killed
among the thousands shot at Babyn Yar.
His wife cried out, but then her voice was stilled
by clubs and bullets - and they called it war.
They rounded up the mental patients first,
and then the Jews. I don't remember more -
we did not know, nor want to know the worst,
not even when the valley ran with gore.
I lived, yes, I survived; but I am scarred
by years of fear. I know persistence pays.
I spent my life rebuilding, on my guard;
while seizing life for two, some happy days.
We dedicated bronze with sorrowed thoughts,
and at its foot we plant forget-me-nots.
Author notes
Rhyme
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babi_Yar_Massacre
Photo by author: Babyn Yar Memorial, Kyiv, Ukraine
forget-me-not = nezabudka (no forgetting)
The plaques bear this inscription in Russian, Ukrainian and Yiddish: "Here in the years 1941-1943 German Fascist conquerors shot to death over one hundred thousand citizens of Kyiv and prisoners of war."
In a list
A contest entry
- BATTLE OF THE SONNETS---ROUND 1 by mamad.
400 points, ended June 3, 2007, 26 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Thank you for reading
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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A very pertinent write.
You chose a strong subject to base your sonnet on too.
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Thank you, I was moved by the memorial there, especially the inscriptions in Russian, Ukrainian and Hebrew: "Here in the years 1941-1943 German Fascist conquerors shot to death over one hundred thousand citizens of Kyiv and prisoners of war." - I have posted a photo.
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this is not only a perfect sonnet, but also a very original subject to write about ... a very astonishing poem alltogether ...
amazing ...
marion
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Strong use of rhyme here. This was a very powerfully sad piece Thanks for enlightening me and others to this important historical event.
Pozo
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Oh, this is so moving, so touching. I feel as if I knelt at the foot and planted the forget-me-nots as well. You have taken a time in history and brought it into the hearts of those who will read and savor this beautifully poignant sonnet. Hugs, Patricia
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The theme of this poem just makes me dizzy with upsetness but I would like to just suggest:
They rounded up the Jews at first, and *then* (change to *when*)
the mental patients, *then so* (change to *came as*) many more;
I do love the forget-me-nots; they are everywhere here now. -
Beautiful
I haven't visited in a while. I still see you are a sonnet master.
The last couplet makes the poem for me
has an Ophelia ring to it
"There's rosemary, that's for remembrance."
Peace.
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verygood
This is lovely and very sad what horror and waste of life
My heart feels soar for them. this is a very good poem.
godbless
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