Artist: Edgar Degas (French, Paris 1834–1917 Paris)
Date: 1899 via https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/459097
Children Forget
women dance their prayers
crowned in wreaths of wild color
in whirling skirts of flowers
arms entwined with arms
else breaking hearts bleed red streams
and children forget
love exists and joy endures
the dark whims of violence
nightmare days of warring men
**
The #TankaTuesday challenge this week explores Ekphrastic poetry inspired by visual art. The artwork was chosen by Colleen from WordCraft Poetry and poet and blogger Selma Martin. Their selection relies heavily on current events, however they wanted to be clear that their choice “is not a celebration of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine” and they both “support Ukraine in its efforts to maintain its sovereignty.”
This poem is a syllabic form called a chōka with syllable counts of 5-7-7-5-7-5-7-7-7.
I chose to write about women as the bearers of hope, the guardians of children, and the protectors of joy and love during the dark days of war. (I know countless men share these qualities too).
Myths of the Mirror 
This poem, read in this moment, makes me very aware that while we may use terms like “Russia” and “Ukraine,” each country is not some concrete mass. Each is made up of individual people, the vast majority of whom do not want conflict or division or whatever it is a particular leader wants at a particular time. We as Americans should understand this all too well. And so we must always maintain empathy for the people, separating them from the goals of a few in government. Your poem is a wonderful reminder of those beautiful people, whether in Russia or Ukraine or anywhere else the world over.
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Thanks for the reflection and lovely comment, Erik. I think most people around the world care about their children and want them to grow up with hope, even when in the midst of war and crisis. I was thinking, as I wrote this, about the families pretending, for the sake of their children, that everything is going to be okay and that life is still joyful. It breaks my heart because its been going on for thousands of years. Have a lovely week, my friend. Great to see you around! Hugs.
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Stunning poetry…heart wrenching.
In the near future.. soon(ish) as I am not only a turtle reader, but a turtle poster, I will be doing a sunflower post on GLAM. Each photo will link to a post someone did re: Ukraine. I’d like to link this if I may?
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Of course. If it works, please use it, Resa. I’d be honored. What a lovely idea to do a sunflower post. The situation in Ukraine is so unbelievably tragic. My heart is broken. I’m touched that you enjoyed the poem. ❤ ❤ ❤
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The poem is perfect. The Ukraine ordeal is not over. I’ll be doing more Sunflower posts… or whatever I come up with. We must keep it current, not turn our heads and heart.
I’ll be by to copy the poem and link later. This way I won’t have to search for it, when I do something.
{{{hugs}}}e
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Your first sunflower post was gorgeous. I think everything you do is wonderfully creative and beautiful. ❤
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Thank you, Diana!
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A powerful and chilling truth Diana. Well done! ❤
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Thanks so much for the visit, Debby, and sorry for the delayed reply. Spring break for the grandson and grammy was on duty! I’m glad you enjoyed the poem despite the dark topic. Hugs, my friend. ❤
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Remember, never apologize for timing here. Life always intervenes. I’m on my last week of vacay ❤
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I was wondering, Debby. I hope it was wonderful. Enjoy your last week. ❤
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Agreed, Debby. Blogging should be leisurely fun, rather than a real-time obligation!
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Yes, yes, I know, but somehow, I can’t help feeling a little guilty about being late to acknowledge a kind comment. It doesn’t keep me up at night, but….. hehe
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[…] D. Wallace Peach, from Myths of the Mirror, has written a haunting poem about war and hope. […]
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Thank you kindly for visiting and sharing a link to the poem. I’m honored. Have a lovely Sunday and week ahead. 🙂
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What a brilliant write, Diana. Is so true. The sowing of peace and love is needed. The violent warmongers need to stop. Wishing you a beautiful coming weekend. 🤍
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Thanks so much for the lovely comment and for spreading the love, Jeff. The world certainly needs it. I had a crazy couple of days with the grandson, so appologize for the delay in responding. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the poem and wish you a wonderful Sunday. 🙂
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It’s always my pleasure, Diana. I agree. We all need as much love and hope as possible. Ah, how lovely that must have been to spend time with your grandson. Lovely. Thank you. Wishing you a gorgeous remainder of this beautiful Sunday and coming week. ☺️
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😀
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Beautiful and haunting, Diana.
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Thanks for the visit, Mark. The prompt propelled a lot of poets toward the war in Ukraine. I feel terrible for the families, especially the children. Have a peaceful afternoon, my friend.
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This is wonderful, Diana! Poetry and art together!
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Thanks, Jennie. I love writing poetry for visual prompts, and this one was so evocative based on what’s happening in Ukraine. I’m glad you enjoyed it, though the poem falls on the side of heartbreaking. Have a beautiful evening, my friend.
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You’re welcome, Diana. It was appropriate to what is happening in Ukraine.
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This is lovely, Diana — and so are your thoughts around it. Hugs on the wing.
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Thanks for stopping by to read, Teagan. It’s a rather dark one, though there’s a touch of hope if we can keep spreading the love. Keep it up, my friend. I hope your days are filled with love and peace. Hugs.
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I’m sure Degas would approve of this poem attached to his name. Just sublimely lovely. Let’s dance for the children. Thanks for sharing. xo
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Thanks so much for stopping by, Selma. Yes, we have to keep dancing for the children, so they don’t give up hope and fall into despair. Thank you for the lovely prompt and the opportunity to write. Have a lovely creative day. 🙂
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Powerful!
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These are the beautiful words I’ve come to expect from you. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking, yet hopeful. I’m praying … so hard. Hope you are well and taking good care. Lots of love to you, Diana. ❤️
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Thanks so much for the visit, Tanya. I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem, though that probably isn’t the right word for something so heartbreaking. There is a glimmer of hope though if we can keep caring and loving and striving for a kinder world. I’m praying every day too. I hope you’re doing well, surrounded by peace, creativity, and love. Hugs. ❤
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Definitely a timely poem, given the Ukraine situation.
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Thanks for the visit, HRR. Yeah, I certainly had that war in mind. It’s so depressing to think that this is happening for no reason whatsoever. I think about the families over there every day. I hope your day is filled with peace and hope. Hugs.
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Sigh How I’d like to dance with Degas’ women, but truly, dancing is hard right now with the images we receive. With war and violence and the stumped egos of evil men. But then again, we MUST dance and scrub out the dark, celebrate light and love. Your poem brought such emotion and passion to me, Diana. Well done, as always.
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Yes, Pam! And we must dance to show the children that love, and hope exist, that the world can be a kind and joyful place. It is really hard to be joyful these days when so many people are suffering for no reason at all, when one man can get away with this and the whole world seems unable to stop it. The tragedy is heart-rending. Thank you for stopping by. Sorry for being so depressing. Many many hugs to my dancing friend. Keep spreading the love. ❤ ❤ ❤
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I actually found hope and light in your piece, despite how dark life is. We MUST allow the light in. xo
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Yup. The alternative is to give in to despair. Keep shining, my friend. ❤
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I enjoy the type of writing work you do🍎
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Thank you, Karen. There are some fun prompts around, and I enjoy the discipline. And the practice. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. Have a lovely day.
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Diana, your poem, timeless yet so real, that’s the thing with truth… we never learn.
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Thanks so much for reading, Eric, and for your lovely comment. This subject of this poem has been keeping me up at night. We don’t seem to learn, do we. And we seem so powerless to stop the madness. I hope your week is filled with beauty and peace, my friend. 🙂
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We are in a spell of glorious weather in the UK Diana and it’s set to last to and beyond the weekend , so at odds with the current climate of the news, so many scenes that chill, yet so much hope and strength too, this madness can’t prevail.
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I was just catching a bit of news. I too hope this doesn’t last long. It’s been a month already!
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Your words capture perfectly the spirit of the Dega painting, Diana.
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Thanks, Mitch, for the visit and comment. It’s an amazing painting, isn’t it? I went a little dark with it in the poem. I hope Degas doesn’t mind. 🙂 Have a peaceful week.
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You too (and I’m sure Edgar would love your poem).
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Such a beautiful poem, Diana. It’s so sad that so many lives have been affected by one man’s greed.
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I think he’s a sociopath, Teri. Sort of like “you know who” but far worse because of the power he wields. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment, my friend. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the poem. Have a lovely week.
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Diana, the contrast between the women & men is so perfectly portrayed in this piece – it makes me so sad and frustrated with those of my sex.
Sincerely,
David
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Of course there are billions of wonderful men who are loving, kind, and responsible, David. But it is mostly men who start wars, and apparently, it only takes one to rain down death and destruction. Thanks so much for reading and I hope someday the world will learn. Hugs.
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