You never told me, father,
how to prepare for this journey,
dismissing your own war-wound,
saying ‘It’s nothing’.
I am bitter to my shattered bones,
staring into the chests of my comrades
my enemies,
spatchcocked like the chickens
cold-slabbed in your butcher’s shop window.
Hurrah! the dVerse pub has re-opened after the summer’s hiatus. We have a fantastic interview with Brian Miller, one of the co-founders, to celebrate 5 years of dVerse. In much more sobering news, we have also learned that the lovely Viv passed away on 5th July. She was always very supportive of my work in her comments, so I am terribly saddened to hear of her passing. My thoughts, along with everyone else’s, go to her family and loved ones at this time.
Tonight, we are hosted by the lovely Grace, who has invited us to write a quadrille – 44 words, no more, no less. I love the form, it really makes me work to get my meaning across.
I watched a documentary on BBC iPlayer about the poet David Jones, who’s epic poem about the First World War, ‘In Parenthesis‘ is considered to be one of the finest of its time, of all war poetry in fact. The title of my quadrille is taken from a phrase in Part 7 of his work, and my poem has been informed somewhat by him, and the subject matter of his work. If I had even an ounce of his talent, I would be delighted.
I’m a bit of a war poet fan, and although I had heard of him, I hadn’t read David Jones’ epic work. The documentary, which was both about him and his poem, has enthralled me and my family. I have ordered a copy of ‘In Parenthesis’ and am desperate to start reading it.
Anyway, please do hop on over to dVerse and take part if you can. Or just enjoy the work you find there!
Freya Writes... 
How this clutches at my heart. My father was a sharpshooter (read, sniper) in WWII and lived through it, though he could rarely speak of it without weeping. What a beautiful poem this is. The third reading still affects me.
To see someone so affected for the rest of his life, it’s heartbreaking. Thank you for reading and for your comments, they mean a great deal. And I am so sorry your father was so badly hurt by his experiences.
Oh, Freya, this just blew me away. Fantastic! “spatchcocked like the chickens” — brilliant.
Thank you so much, Misky.
This is wonderful and sad reminder of what wars do to us… to see your comrades butchered or to butcher yourself… it does change you.. it does affect us all… My thoughts go to the recent police shootings in the US where some does not handle it and bring the killing home…
Thank you, Bjorn. I can’t imagine the psychological impact.
This is a gritty poem and slams me from the first line onwards. Wow!
I am going to check out that documentary and poem, thank you. Hope to see you in the coming days of our 5th anniversary Freya!!
Thank you, Grace. I’m looking forward to the continuing celebrations!
Oh Freya, your words touch the soul and heart so very much. This is an incredible quadrille.
Lots of love,
Sanaa
Thank you, Sanaa!
An incredible poem, Freya, that is so personal and yet something we have all heard or read about. ‘In Parenthesis’ is an outstanding war poem. I missed the documentary, so I hope I can still find it on the BBC iPlayer.
Thank you, Kim. I watched it on iplayer today – you should still be able to catch it. I hope you enjoy it.
This got to me–my dad didn’t make it through the way so I never knew him. I always have been struck by war poetry, too.
I’m sorry your dad didn’t make it through – so many unanswered questions, Victoria. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Working with the military
for close to a quarter
of a century.. i got
to see the
fresh faces
go to war
and the
different
faces and bodies
come back from what
they named as sand box
life.. and truly when they
say like my father used
to say the military
will make you
into a strong
man.. there
is even
epigenetic
change in super
man-like way among
many fresh faces and
worm like bodies that
come back off
of
smart
phone
sitting..
i wasn’t strong
enough to do it
when i was young
but i finally learned the
secret to success in life
is never leaving bootcamp
even if you never went..
as yes what
my elders
said is true..
male or female..
getting old is not
a nice game for so-
called smart phone
sissies.. and i was
the biggest nerd
usually in
the room
way
back
when..
in techspectacular
sitting jelly fish way..;)
I always look forward to your comments! Especially when I get to learn some more about your past… A tech spectacular jellyfish – what an image!
sMiLes Freya.. have written
close to 120K words in the
last month.. without
even the
inspiration
that doing this
for a full year
last year and
responding to
every single
link and every
single prompt
brought then..
hehe..
my other
lesson in life
use it or lose it
applies to all stuff
nature.. and never trying
IT.. IS A sure way never to
be all you can be.. per what
the army says.. i was a very
fragile child and young adult
in many ways of Emotional
Intelligence even though
i made straight A’s
and graduated
with a triple
major
with
three degrees..
sad to say in reality
i had to face the fact at
the end of all of that and a
25 upper ending pay grade
level of Federal employment
that i had gained hardly any
of the Emotional.. Physical..
and Existential Intelligence
that could really lead
to a life not
just
surviving
but truly
thriving..
and if i went
that long in the
dark.. i’m sure there
are many more who
do the same.. as Lord
knows i tried hard to find
the answers.. but i could
never truly find them anywhere
else but deep within.. i have never
been happier.. or even physically
stronger at 56.. and i will not pay attention
to any limitations noW or expectations that
the 6 o’clock news or school/work bRings again..
as the bell
tolls
lighter
for mE now..
smiles and thank
you.. you alWays
make me feel welcome
i truly am in this for the journey
alone.. no likes.. no follows..
and the money
i left behind
in the bank..
hehe.. then
long long
long ago..
ugh.. a society
without money
if it could happen
could really be heaven
now.. for so many folks
who could make their social
roles in moving.. connecting
creating ways.. like our distant
ancestors did too.. anyway.. i Am
refreshed
from a month
break from
dVerse and
surely AM
BACK IN
FULL FORCE
NOW.. HEHE..
AS hurricane
Fred in rain of words..;)
Your poem ends like a slap in the face. The truth of it you can’t deny. This is beautiful in its intense emotion, Freya.
Thank you so much, Bodhirose.
That’s a riveting verse, Freya. The wars we engage in now days don’t quite seem to justify the effort and lives expended.
I agree – and thank you.
painfully beautiful
Thank you, Candy.
wow..the lines are so sharp and pointed….poignant and beautiful…
Thank you, Sumana.
A sober, sombre offering – those last two lines are so sharp, trenchant, almost clinical… really brings home the horror. I was just watching a documentary about the Somme last night and it just gets me everytime, how disillusioned those young men must have been when they realised they were just cannon fodder.
I watched such a documentary this evening – looking at the Somme from both the British and German point of view. Cannon fodder is such a horrific concept.
Yes, that’s the one… wasn’t it terrifying?
Yes, absolutely.
I am late to the reading and so many have already said so much. The “spatchcocked” line is indeed brilliant. Thank you for the explanation — I intend now to find “In Parenthesis”.
Thank you, Lillian, so much.
Lovely poem, and lovely tribute to your dad.
Powerful and so well crafted!
Thank you, Jilly.
A riveting and strong piece, Freya. This line shines: ‘spatchcocked like the chickens cold-slabbed in your butcher’s shop window.’
Thank you, Walt. Hearing David Jones’ lyrical poetry pushed me hard to find a way to write this image form a different mindset.
“I am bitter to my shattered bones”…wow, that leaves an impact.
Some really unique word choices like “spatchcocked” and “cold-slabbled”. A powerful piece!
Thank you, Mish.
This is really brutal, with some shocking imagery. Impressive.
Thank you Sarah!
Poignant and powerful.
Thank you, Rosemary.
my enemies,
spatchcocked like the chickens
cold-slabbed in your butcher’s shop window.
I may have stepped into a hornets’ nest this week! It’s been a rough year all around, and losing Viv in the group has been one more nail (nail on the blackboard of our hearts). The poems are difficult to read… and achingly beautiful. Your words (while I’m not certain of one of them… neither is spell check) are carefully crafted and well placed.
Thank you, Charley. I may have verbalised a noun or two – I do love playing with words.
Yes, this week has been very tough for so many people. May we all be stronger for it, in the end.
Can one ever prepare for this journey?
I don’t think so…