The sky lights at night with shell bursts
Halos of coruscating wonder and joy
Every face is turned upwards in awe
Month of memories of democracy frail
Of Rome you were born to the world
Novem you were, the ninth of the year
The eleventh is sacred in hearts all
Herein remembered, the cruel sacrifice
Of brave and courageous warriors
Forever graven in granite glory
Memories of other, different times too
Early pilgrims faced reality and famine
Masking genocidal times with celebration
Overlooking the seeds of slavery sown
Righteous, rebellious Christianity shown
In echoes of the past we revel and feast
Each day was marked with death
Salvation bestowed with shot and shell
November, when winter tightens its grip
Ordinary dull days of rain, sleet and cold
Viscous sticky water, is persisting down
Every journey in resentful hurried frown
Morose days, long but so short, so short
Beckoning coals to warm the body and soul
Evening embers that commemorate fiery hell
Remember, remember bloody November
Sky lights at night with shell bursts
Grey death, giving all so that others lived
Remember those who fell in flashing living hell
Enjoy your freedom whilst you yet may
Yet value the cold and dark, for some it is all
Author notes
NOTES
The word 'bloody' is used in its true form, ie smeared or covered in blood.
Each celebration or ceremony is based upon somebody dying. Fireworks night where the plotters were executed and now burned in effigy.
Thanksgiving day, now a holiday which, historically, masked weakness which, when overcome, led to the near extermination of the local native tribes and the beginning of the slave trade in America. The Indians were the first to be sold into slavery. We all know of the tragedies that led to the bravery and heroism that is remembered on Armistice Day.
There is no song of celebration to this one, no-one is lauded. Herein lies the plain stark and dark truth. A drab and sombre month.
hhmmm
Good luck to all
I refrained from displaying 'bloody' in the title.
My usual trick of using the words as start of the respective word stanzas lol (always a smart-ass)
It was pointed out to me that I had breached the rules, and upon checking, I had indeed. So thanks to Jelly, who shows good faith and sportsmanship!
Written October 4th, 2004
In a list
A contest entry
- Acrostic Lovers II by Samplette.
500 points, ended October 16, 2004, 35 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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Wow, I really like this! Thank you for sharing!
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My feelings exactly a deserved win, this was a very interesting read, you do go all out don't you...........Thanks for sharing
take care
sanity
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congratulations on your GOLD TROPHY a very deserving win
angelica
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congratulations on the gold! an excellent work. you have stripped away any pretense and gotten to the reality of it all. i have to say this made me think. creative structure also. a much deserved win.
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I makes me feel proud because I am Cherokee Indian and his is true. This sounds prideful and heroic not angry. Job well done. Good luck in the contest. God bless you.
ROSE
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It is not angst. At least it isn't meant to be. The intent here was to avoid smug complacency and realise that whilst there is wrong in the world (and it isn't just the traditional ones either) it is Ok to celebrate and go on. It has been bought AND paid for. In essence, I suppose I am exhorting people to be grateful that they CAN celebrate, but to at least know why, not just blithely plod on like animals in a field of lush grass. Thanks for the feedback
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This was an astounding piece. It is a factual acrostic that is very creatively done. I am weighing it to see if it borders on angst. When I read it, I don't feel that way...it gives me hope and the feel of strength...courage and heroism...do I make sense.
Nontheless, this is very well done.
Thank you so much for entering, and kudos to Jelly for heads up on the guidelines...
Sam
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This is an outstanding job, but I don't think it followed the rules. It is my understanding that the month is to be used in the acrostic as well as the title.
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