We are the singing bones,
our voices blend together
as we do, high for the hollow bones
of babies and the aged, low for the
virile men, the strong women;
our song the sound of wind through trees,
rain on leaves, sand spattering
on roofs, against windows, down chimneys;
we are the voice of the earth and the sea.
We sing our peace. We need nothing more
from your world of pain. We are beyond need now,
we are released. Our blood has long dried,
our flesh has fed new grasses,
beasts who have eaten these have in turn been eaten.
We sing the cycle, we are the circle of life.
We sing the tides of the earth,
slow shifts that claim us, as the sea
has claimed bones the same way, and they sing,
thrown from helicopters, forced from planes,
sunk in small boats, large ships,
dumped overboard in crowds, they sing with us;
as they mingle on the seabed, they have fed
life that feeds life, forming our perfect circle.
We are legion, we are Rwanda, Bosnia,
Kosovo, Croatia, Serbia,
we are Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Bolivia,
we are Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam,
we are Europe, we are South Africa, we are Russia,
and back, and back, further and further,
to the far reaches of memory
we trail, like smoke, through history
from the beginning of time,
endlessly on;
we are the price the world exacts
for your life.
Don’t cry for us, rejoice that we are free.
Leave us to speak to the angels, leave us to sleep.
If you must remember, think of us at peace.
In the sounds of each sunrise, in the laughter
of children, in the brave thrust of new green
growth through the earth, hear us, hear us,
hear us sing.
Author notes
Photo Pieter Hugo - Mass Grave in a Forest, Murambi vicinity from the series Rwanda 2004.
The line "leave us to speak to the angels" makes reference to Clea Koff and her co-workers, forensic anthropologists who worked for the United Nations, disinterring mass graves and identifying bodies, where possible, so relatives were able to mourn, in Rwanda, Bosnia, Kosovo, Croatia and Serbia. Too many places. See her book "The Bone Woman".
Freewrite 16 July 2008
A contest entry
- Free-Write by polly filla.
1750 points, ended August 12, 12 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
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heavy !
...really heavy!
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GOSH
Stunningly versed! wow, and wow again. It's a most unbelievable piece of writing, very vwery powerfully written, very moving.
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Speaks eloquently to soothe the horrors of mass murder.The suffering is over, the earth reclaims it's own. "We are the circle of life." Poetic and true.
. Rewarded 4
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this was very educational i love that in this write! You didn't make it boring it was very interesting. Great write! keep on penning
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Wow. this is really good! I'm really amazed at what you got from that picture!! I really love the flow of this and the emotion as well! I'm actually speechless!
thank you very much for sharing! well deserving of the Silver!!
TA
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Oh My Gosh...OMGod...
I don't have the words right now to make the comments I would prefer to make. Please accept this as a honest effort. This is such a profound piece; I wish that this had brought me that. Instead, I'm moved by you and 'those bonepeople' (in your ANs). I will return to this once I can comment more meaningfully...(God-willing). Thank you for this write and the courage it seemed it must have taken to post it. wow...
AsIThink...
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$
"we are the price the world exacts
for your life"
it is not every day i read something this amazing.
thank you.
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There are many books written about "bone people" movies and t.v. shows too. I saw the movoe Rwanda and though I knew about it ... the movie drove it home. thank you for the inspiring write.
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wow---check all your comments! I've never seen so many on one poem!
well done -
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Thanks for the silver - yes, the poem got a lot of reads! Here in NZ it has been chosen to be made into an exhibition by an Expressive Typography student - I can't wait to see how she will present it!
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excellent! that's brilliant!
let me know if it's possible to view online, once it's exhibited
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Will do - exhibition in September - I will take pics, at least...
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No words.....
I am just going to sit here and show respect...
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Very good!
We sing the tides of the earth,
slow shifts that claim us, as the sea
has claimed bones the same way, and they sing,
thrown from helicopters, forced from planes,
sunk in small boats, large ships,
dumped overboard in crowds, they sing with us;
as they mingle on the seabed, they have fed
life that feeds life, forming our perfect circle.
This stanza is filled with metaphor and depth. I love it! Good luck in that contest!
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Yes, this is very good.
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Very thought ful of you.
Sorrow kills you in the heart great of you to say let them live in peace.
Once this becomes clear in our minds we too find our peace.
congrats long difficult but a good write.
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Free in a sense, I suppose. I keep hearing that we return, again and again, to the ever churning seas of karma. If one among those slaughtered throughout the centuries had achieved realization and was free--truly free in the way hinted at by the old masters of yore, in the way the martyrs were free and beyond all suffering, in the way that empty space between the stars is free from all notice--then perhaps something has been gained for those left behind.
For if one such being stays on to guide the rest, there could be at least that much less suffering.
Intriguing write. It's clear your heart was in it.
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thi is great
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It was refreshing and beautiful crafted I luv it:
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Wow strong stuff!
Now this is very hard hitting in the nicest possible way!
Highly graphic, and crammed to brim with descriptives so well woven into a masterpiece of storytelling factual poetry I feel.
Powerful message that hits right home into the mind soul and heart of the reader.
Captivating too ...gee its fantastic stuff write more! Bravo!
Well done fab work!
Poetic Hugs,
Kaz.
Kazytc xx
. Rewarded 8
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Beautiful write (=
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Outstanding
I loved everything about this poem. You have created a poem that is highly visual and the imagery was intense and moving. This poem really got me thinking to about some recent events in the world. Best poem I've read here for a while.
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Beautiful!
LIke a song .
So wonderfully written.
Then imagery was great i could see my self
in to this poem.
Clinging onto every word.
It was as if i found
myself singing or humming the words
.Such Powerful words.
I loved this.
Keep up the good work.
-Mandi
. Rewarded 6
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Excellent
Thank you for sharing -
well done
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The rhyme feels free within here, a little easy flow but the mood is set beautifully with the image and such between.
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wow and such a song of spirit mist we have here thus this would be the horizontal spiritual plane, and anchoring and life giving warmth, passion and lesson combined with the horizons rising and sets, trancend to all life past, present and future force that has touched the earth so guiding with the elements the brilliance of our souls possiblity, all connected and marching as one...
anyheys great write!
w strawberry mousse and shiraz
-jas
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Superb
Wow, a fantastic write indeed. So many have died for so little reason because of various types of dictators.
When will we humans learn that war, and genocide are not the answer to our problems. Here's a link to Wikipedia's article on the Holocaust of WW II:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocaust
. Rewarded 4
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awww
this was really sweet for some reason.. i dont quite understand why but youre over all theme and coposition took me away. you did an immaculant job at writing this peice. keep writing love, i am loking forward to reading more. -
absolutely stunning. This touches me deeply becausei too hear the singing bones, every day. Millions die every day around the world and we never get to hear about it because it is only collateral damage and choice not to report it, but when it happens to us, our lives fall apart. And yet, do we feel for others the way we would feel? This passionate write is brilliantly offered to those who have read it - lets hope lots more do
. Rewarded 8
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I am in awe!
I know in your final stanza you say do not cry for us but when I reached the end and touched my cheeks I found warm tears as this just reached out and touched my heart.
Powerful, amazing, gripping and full of imagery; the first stanza shocked me and I could almost hear the cries in the wind.
Best of luck in the contest
♥
Stay safe
~Manda
. Rewarded 6
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Thank you for singing the writing bones pania. I enjoyed humming along.
Paul
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Thank you for reading, and for being moved to song...
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excellent!
this left me speechless...
i think the correct word for this poem doesn't quite exist,
so i'll just have to stick with beyond stunning =)
. Rewarded 4
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Absolutely stunning!
A wonderfully wrote piece of poetry that brings images and emotions to the forefront.
Fantastic job and a moving tribute to those lost over time.
. Rewarded 4
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In too many places too many bones are singing. The songs need to be louder to drown out the words of the maniacs and tyrants who keep refilling these tombs, in Sudan Zimbabwe, Borneo and so many more places thousands die to keep a few evil men well paid
Great writing.
. Rewarded 6
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Thank you for your read and comment. You are so right, the litany of names, of the mass graves, would take pages to enumerate. Perhaps I will write a companion piece, a list poem...
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Awesome work!!!
Best of luck in this contest!!!
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Thank you, Cyn, for your read and good wishes.
Mercedes
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Amazing
This is fabulous, filled with the sounds of the bone's voice...eloquent.
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It almost reminds me of a spiritual. I really love the use of 1rst person, it adds character. Nicely done!
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Wow...this is absolutely wonderful and touching. Thank you for writing this.
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This is very beautiful and powerful. A wonderful reminder that we must remember and listen to voices from the past in order to shape our future. Excellent!
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superb
words can't leave my lips for it just gone paralyzed for seeing such a great piece!!!
Keep on writing!!!
. Rewarded 4
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good
Good poem for realizing history. I just heard on 700 Club that Rwanda is thriving today thanks to a strong leader. Good reminder not to forget what happened and what is happening today many places.
. Rewarded 4
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Really beautiful piece. I though you were all going to go tool-perfect circle...Anthrax...but instead you summed up a narrative viewpoint beautifully and holistically.
You should keep writing. -
Oh, wow. This is really really moving, I love it.
All the best!
-peek-a-boo-
((eva))
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wow very emotive write, well done
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It's a great piece of work and reminds me a little of Don't Cry For Me" from the film Evita. Plaintive and at the same time poignant. Happy trails neighbor
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Amazing. I really don't know what else to say. It seemed almost haunting, in an exquisite sort of way. Great, great write. Well done.
SoldiersRain
. Rewarded 4
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What else can I say because everyone is exactly right. This is a brilliant piece of work and I think you impress every poet here with your words and, more importantly, feeling.
Thank you for writing this and (PLEASE) don't stop writing any time soon!
The Black Poet
. Rewarded 6
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Hey, Aussie! Thanks so much for your read and supportive comments.
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This was bloody brillant! I hope to see you get gold with this piece. I think this is the first time I've read anything like this on AP. I can't think of anything that needs changing in this piece at all. It's perfect!
You have totally outdone yourself here. This should be a song or something because it is just really wonderful. I think I am most impressed with the imagery and the subject.
I am really glad that I clicked on this piece right here!
. Rewarded 8
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Thank you for your read and supportive comments!
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Oh my god. That was absolutely brilliant! Thank you for a poem with substance and meaning. You took these horrors, these pains, and was able to divine beauty and peace. That, to me, is absolutely amazing. Your rhythm was likewise impressive, I especially loved the listing of countries and the circle of life. It is full of a gentle and peaceful sadness, a sense of the injustice, but a sense of the future. Amazing.
. Rewarded 8
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A worthy topic and perfect title... singing bones, their voices singing their song as wind, rain, the earth and sea. I like they want nothing more and are released to the circle of life. Very strong that "We sing the tides of the earth,/slow shifts that claim us, as the sea/has claimed bones the same way. We are legion - good word choice. I like that "back, and back, further and further... trailing like smoke... through history." Leave us to speak to the angels for we are at peace - underlines the "we need nothing more" earlier... but definitely want to be heard as sunrise, laughter, new growth and singing. An admirable job! It hums in swaying sadness.
Marlene -
i loved it, absolutely
you're very deep indeed
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you are a very good writer i hope your writing takes you far in the rest of your life and thanks for the comment, i hope it does work out in the end!!!!
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brilliant imagery
this is definitely different from anyone i've read lately, i liked it.
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sublime
reverent, with rhythm.
(I think it could be pared down a little, like 'our voices blend together'...call it poetic license)
but that doesn't matter; what matters is the imagery, the concrete connection that's coming off your work, and it's strong
thanks for entering!
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Thanks for your supportive comment! ...and suggestion, which is even now being implemented...I see a few places where I could hack in, but may wait until it sort of jells a bit more. A very challenging prompt you gave us, and I went down the mine with trepidation. (that's the name of my pit pony)
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"Don’t cry for us, rejoice that we are free.
Leave us to speak to the angels, leave us to sleep.
If you must remember, think of us at peace.
In the sounds of each sunrise, in the laughter
of children, in the brave thrust of new green
growth through the earth, hear us, hear us,
hear us sing."
AMAZING
I LOVED ITTTTT
This is go good, it makes me want to jump.
lol.
good write. -
Oh my god this was so beautiful. I was very moving, reminding us all of the cycle of life andhow death can make you a part of the world, not just dead. I love this poem.
Keep writing!
. Rewarded 4
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Excellent
You remind us that death is part of the cycle of existance. Peaceful or violent, by choice or chance or any known reason, death waits for all. This song is a gentle refrain to echo past whatever suffering life offers, and is a harmonious way to celebrate all life - and death. Thanks for a sane perspective for our chaotic times.
. Rewarded 6
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Jolting
Very moving approach to giving voice to those who are finally at peace. Liked the message and the mechanism to bring it forward.
. Rewarded 4
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A magnificent choir of harmony...at last.
I have to tell ya, this was ONE POWERFUL PIECE. I am so deeply moved. It almost feels unnatural to think of mass peace at the hands of mass wickedness...a trading of beauty for ashes. And yet, your words are true.
Particularly moving were the different pitches of the voices... for such killings knows no mercy, no bounds of age or circumstance. And gosh, the listing of all the countries was daunting. We are aware of them, but to see so many listed at once...there is just no room for the denial that can plague us if we are not mindful. It is so stirring, so convicting that we need to do more to bring peace before the grave.
Your use of cycles is beautiful, and your poem has a lilting peaceful flow. Melancholic despite the beautiful perspective of final peace.
An important write, gal.
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Thank You
I am so glad that this poem moved you. It was a daunting task, to try to give voice to the bones.
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I like this, especially how the place names sound when bound together in this homage.
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Thank you for reading this, yes, the litany of names could have been a whole page on its own.
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To paint such a hopeful message with such dark brush strokes is very impressive. This is powerful and very thought provoking. "...think of us at peace" is such a touching sentiment. Will we ever learn to live in peace together? I think not, and so the mass graves will continue to be found in places near and far, until one day the old bones, like accusations, will lay before our very own doors.
. Rewarded 8
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Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I think you are right about our chances of peace, but for the victims in the mass graves, peace has been given them. Yes, I feel strongly that these bones accuse all of us who remain alive, but their voices sing continuing life rather than accusations.
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wow
youve got an amazng piece that has absolutley great flow. more than anything your creative way of puting it all together shows and you are very descriptive. what a wonderfufl composition with great storyline. -
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Thank you for your enthusiastic comment. I am glad you appreciate this poem.
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Absolutely incredibly beautiful I love it!
JADE RAYNE* -
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Thank you for reading and commenting.
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Worldly...
Very profound,
moved me deeply...
The words flow with such conviction, like a marching band in sync!
Lo-Amo!
Salute!!! -
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Thank you for commenting - it is a sad story, and I am glad you were moved by it.
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"Don’t cry for us, rejoice that we are free.
Leave us to speak to the angels, leave us to sle
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