Friday, January 23, 2009

And The Trees Danced



A bitter wind blew through the land
And screams of rage could be heard
From every corner of the sky,
Echoing throughout all of the Earth.

The ground was red from the battle, the long and endless battle,
Where neither one side, nor the other
Was heard to profess an element of understanding,
And pleas screamed would only break on ears of stone,
As each claimed that their god would reign victorious.

And there were those who loved and simply watched,
Who could see beyond the shades of skin,
And the acclamations of divine intent,
And would weep helplessly,
As they watched the ebb and flow of the bleeding tides,
Cursing the shades and pointing to the color that all beings shared,
Spilled relentlessly on fields of intolerance and greed.

And the reddened brown mud dried and cracked over the earth,
And the land was parched with flame and ash,
And the waters became putrid so no one could drink,
And the air thickened, and was brown with smoke and dust,
And the food would not grow because the rains would not fall,
And all of the Earth settled into a deep despair.

Then, just when all of the world agreed that the end was near,
And that nothing could be done to reverse the turn,
A man with skin the color of coffee and milk
Stepped out onto the battlefield,
And with his eyes, ears and heart open wide,

He listened.

And he heard the cries of the people,
And he spoke to them of Hope,
And the hearts of the many who heard his words
Chose him above all others to be their voice,
And to speak the truth for them.

A fuse was ignited and all around the world,
Tall columns built on worm ridden pedestals
Began to crumble and collapse,
As the age of plenty built on shards of illusion
And the backs of slaves
Could not stand tall,
And cowered in the brilliant light of Hope
And words of Truth.

And all of the people fighting
In all of the lands,
Increased their battles,
Reaching farther into the darkness,
Looting whatever remained of anything precious.
They waged on in their wars, in the names of their gods,
Utilizing women and children, in the crimes of their greed,
And causing a great wave of grief throughout the world.

Then on the eve of the day before the man was to become
The voice of the people,
A great cloud filled the heavens and settled over the land,
And a long and quiet snow fell throughout the night,
Covering the fields stained red in the blood of slaves and soldiers
With a soft blanket of redemption.

And in the morning light,
As the sun shown on the fields of ice and snow,
The man the color of coffee and milk
Stood in front of all the world,
And spoke of Peace and the Promise of Humanity.
And all of the people from all four corners of the earth,
Heard the words,
And wept,
For the broken hearts of the many,
That had finally been redeemed.

And the trees, that had stood guard in watch of their fields,
Who witnessed the toils of the pickers and planters,
Those unlucky, who as children
Had been stolen from the arms of their mothers
And sent in the bottoms of ships, in sickness and shackles
To toil in the fields,

The trees who watched helplessly,
Bearing silent witness to the rape of young girls,
Who thought the dream was a fool’s folly
As the weight of somebody’s child
Swung heavily from their branches,
Though try as they might,
They could not release them,

The very trees whose limbs hung heavy in frozen tears,
Suddenly stood tall and reaching their naked branches to the sky,
They danced with their shadows in the fields of snowy white.
Filled with the blood of the ages they sounded in words heard clearly
In the hearts of the crying spirits of mothers and children of Africa,

"Hallelujah!" They sang.
"Behold, a brand new day!
"

51 comments:

JR's Thumbprints said...

The New North vs The New South.
The hurting auto industry vs the decimated textile industry.

The trees will dance, only this time to a different tune, and history, in some odd way, will repeat itself.

Catherine Vibert said...

A morass at best JR. I am very curious to see how it will all shake out. I don't think its all going to be pretty. But optimism remains eternal!

Vesper said...

Cat, what a strong, intense poem. Interesting allegory...
Beautiful images of the trees!
And the painting, too. I could imagine it as an abandoned battlefield, in which ghostly battle cries are still echoing...

jaz said...

I read this earlier and I was just speechless. So I came back and I am still having a hard time articulating the powerful imagery here, and how it touched me. Your description of what hatred does to the planet, both literally and figuratively, is amazing--you've converted words and images into something higher.

Karen said...

This is absolutely incredible. I echo Jennifer's statement. I am breathless after reading this, and I must read it again.

You have encompassed it all, and besides the content, the structure of this poem is perfect! Truly, truly perfect.

Noelle Dunn.... A Poet in Progress said...

Wow, Cat - Wow.

RiverSoul said...

I simply adored the narrative style and straightforward lines here.

"acclamations of divine intent" is just too excellent.
All in all, a beautiful work.

:)

Anonymous said...

:)
catvibe,
very powerful presentation!!

deprived souls around the world always 'hope'ed their Saviour will reach them and save them soon ....

we saw him in mahatma Gandhi, Mandela, mother Teresa.....

now we see him in 'obama'

Catherine Vibert said...

Vesper-Thank you. I painted the picture first and thought the trees looked like they were dancing, so I started writing a poem to go with it, and given the week this has been, this thing came out. I'm glad you liked it. ;-)

Jennifer=Thank you! I'm really glad you came back because I probably edited it 20 times in between visits.

Noelle-I know, and I thought I wasn't in the mood to write this week. ;-)

Karmanna-Thank you dear! And great man will point people back into themselves to see and be greatness. I don't believe that Obama is a savior, but I believe he is a great man.

Anonymous said...

ah, trees... sentient beings...

beautiful post

Catherine Vibert said...

Riversoul-Thank you. I'm rather fond of this kind of narrative style myself. I became attracted to it by listening to old Joe Frank radio programs from the early 90's. He did a lot of this kind of thing, and read out loud it is mesmerizing and very chant like. Very compelling.

Catherine Vibert said...

Paul, aren't they? Thank you.

Rachel Green said...

Fabulous, both words and picture. You have an amazing talent, dear lady.

- A - C - said...

amazing and prolific talent indeed. The depth of your experiences are apparent in your words.

Catherine Vibert said...

Leatherdykeuk and AC, aw, I'm blushing! Thank you.

Khaled KEM said...

It's a very nice poem Catvibe.

You painted with your words a very beautiful picture of that day.you put life, history, present and future i one frame.

Geraldine said...

This is a powerful, stirring read. Well done Cat.

Cynthia said...

Amazing Cat! What an epic poem.
This poem must have taken so much
time, and a nice piece of your heart to write. Or perhaps she
just flowed out of your heart
like a river? Wonderful to wake
up to read on a Sunday Morning.

Catherine Vibert said...

Khaled, thank you! I tried to avoid future predictions, since we don't know yet what will happen, but still tried to express optimism for the future.

Geraldene, Thank you!

Cynthia, Thank you! It flowed out like water, but the editing and refining is still happening. ;-)

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

Hooray! Cat, you have created THE definitive poem for the transition of power in our country AND these times of OPTIMISM and CHANGE!-

You have expressed the desire for a paradigm shift in ideas, beliefs, philosophy, opinions, attudes, way of living, values et.al.

Publish Worthy!

Blessings

Catherine Vibert said...

K, I can not tell you how honored I am by your words. Perhaps it might be worth finding a home in print... I wonder where to start? Any ideas?

JR's Thumbprints said...

On a different note: I'm left-handed, does this make me right-brained. If so, why am I having such a hard time following computer instructions? Is it because I'm getting old? Now there's a paradigm shift waiting to happen! Thanks for the words of encouragement. From the Old/New North.

Catherine Vibert said...

Let's see JR, if you are left handed and right brained, then I wonder why my left brain is missing? Must be the age thing. ;-)

In my humble opinion, no North vs. South. All one country now, and one world really, all in one big boat that'll only reach a brighter shore if we all decide to take it there.

Anonymous said...

This powerful poem is simply amazing! I would love to hear you read it, Cat. I came back to listen to your previous post, because it is so interesting. But I also love your voice! Do you do readings? This would be an awesome poem to hear.

The images of the trees are fascinating. And I don't mean to be a bore, but I always notice the technical things like structure and rhythm. They play such an important role in the life of a poem, and you have done an excellent job with that.

The repetition throughout the poem is fantastic and weaves together perfectly. The stanza that begins with "And the reddened brown mud dried and cracked over the earth," is excellent.

What a powerful message you bring us here. Beautiful work, Cat. Now for my highly sophisticated and poetic final commentary...YOU ROCK, SISTER!

Lena said...

that left me speechless, an amazing poem. Very strong indeed. I could practically visualize everything.

Catherine Vibert said...

Dear Julie, Your presence is always so energizing to me! I can't wait to meet you in person! I really want to thank you for what you said about noticing the structure and rhythm. I am born of parents who, one of which anyway, is extremely dismissive of anything that is not 'rhyme and meter', and therefore I actually feel self conscious about writing a poem that isn't those things. But I struggle to make a poem sing anyway, to make it sound like rain falling and words dancing around some kind of unseen form. As I mentioned before, I learned this technique by being addicted to Joe Frank in the early 90s. His 'Work in Progress' series which was excellent and awesome radio was filled with poem stories written in this kind of form. That you have noticed this without hearing it first is very cathartic for me.

And yes, it should be heard. And it will be, I promise! This blog is going to be taking an exciting turn down the road after the documentary is finished, and I'm hoping your voice and poems are going to be a lovely part of it all. Not to give too much away...

Lena, thank you! I'm glad you could visualize it. Word painting is best when you know others can see the painting! :-)

Catherine Vibert said...

Oh Julie, one more thing, the part about the trees being witness to the rape of young girls? A direct response to your fantastic and tear jerking MLK day poem about Belinda.

Anonymous said...

I hope it is a brand new day. :)

I too like the painting!

Catherine Vibert said...

Jason, me too, and if the trees think so, I think that it is! I'm glad you like the painting. We don't usually get a snowy field, so I really was excited when I saw it last week, and had to paint it. That's the scene across the street from my painting window.

Anonymous said...

A fresh painting too. That's very cool, Catvibe. It gives the post a very visceral sense of place.

Catherine Vibert said...

Thanks Jason. Yes, being in the south, it is highly possible that the trees around here may have really seen those kinds of crimes at one time or another in their long, still lives. They keep secrets you know, those trees.

Charli Henley said...

Beautiful poem! This must have taken a long time to write?

My favorite is "a soft blanket of redemption".

Sarah Hina said...

What a fierce, and gripping, read. I could see those scars in your words, and the healing light of hope as well. A poem of its moment, and one whose message has been long in coming. In reading this, I did feel like the weight of history might finally have wings.

Beautiful painting too, Cat. I love how you married the big moment to the intimate view outside your window.

Catherine Vibert said...

Hi Charli, and welcome to my blog. I'll be by to check yours out soon! It took most of a day to write, but the editing took the next several days. I still might change a thing or two. :-) In my opinion, poems get better with editing. They, mature? :-)

Yay! Sarah is out and about! :-) Thank you for your words, I hope that history does have wings. It is a healing a long time coming I think.

I love my little painting view. Those trees have become my favorite subject, as paintings, as photography subjects, and as poems. On my blog, there is a post back in October called A Word to the Three Graces with a photograph of them.

Aine said...

Very powerful and moving! This almost reads like a sermon.

It is both wonderful and sad that we are perched on this moment in history. Sad because it took so long in coming, and wonderful for all the reasons you've captured in the poem!

I just hope that people don't pin all hope on one man. He only has two hands, after all. It requires all of us to make the changes.
:)

Catherine Vibert said...

Hi Aine! If you think it reads like a sermon, wait until you hear it read outloud! I agree with you entirely about too much being pinned on just one human. Obama's greatness is because he inspires others to reach to greatness. He wouldn't be able to accomplish anything were it not for that.

I just hope its not too late for our environment. That's truly my biggest fear. At least Obama is already moving swiftly toward the right direction of finding solutions to that morass.

Drizel said...

Absolutely lovely....just dont use so many and's, or if you wanted it like that not to worry.

:)

Catherine Vibert said...

Hi Etian, thanks! The Ands are intentional. It's part of the style of this kind of narrative.

Catherine Vibert said...

Etain, sorry I spelled your name wrong.

Anonymous said...

an amazing poem...Catherine..
the best part i liked is
"The man the color of coffee and milk"
only a true poet can make such comparisons...i mean look at it..u could have plainly said the white man and the dark....but no!!!!i am glad u didn't do that...!.i need to do learn this now...:)

Catherine Vibert said...

Thank you Frozen Well, aka Narendra (with such a beautiful name, I have to say it). Welcome, it is very wonderful to see you here.

Unknown said...

Enjoyed the poem... here is my story form election night-- at the Bob Dylan concert at his alma mater Univ. of Minn. He left the stage about 9:45 and didn’t come back for his encore for an usually long time… maybe 8-10 minutes. The house lights stayed down so we knew he was coming back but it was an endless period.

Then he walked on stage and ripped into an inspired version of Like A Rolling Stone… don’t know who he was directing the phraseology to, but the “how does it feel to be on your own, like a rolling stone?” really felt like he was throwing a shoe at Bush. It was a stunning version.

Then Dylan, who rarely says a word in concert says, “I was born in 1941, they year Pearl Harbor was bombed. I’ve been living in the darkness ever since. Well, looks like some things are gonna change now.” and took off on a finale Blowing in the Wind that gave me goose bumps. Apparently the delay was so they could get a sense of where the election returns were at before the encore.

It was a great concert in fabulous venue, great seats and sound. Dylan had never played the Univ of Minn area since 1959. It felt like it was not coincidence that he was home for this very hopeful night.

As we left our seats and filed out into the lobby the cheering and applauding got even louder. As we burst into the lobby, Dylan’s crew had set up a jumbotron with CNN’s election results. The big screen count showed Obama had obtained the electoral votes, he was elected!! It was pandemonium. We went out on to the Auditorium’s grand steps overlooking the U of Minn mall. It was filled, FILLED with people dancing and drumming, and crying. It was one of the greatest nights of my life. Not only that -- it was the first time ever that I actually voted for the winner!!!

Turns out that Bob Dylan was just the warm up act!

Catherine -- I've though about your adventure many times, wondering how you were doing. Good to hear from you.

I spent 2 1/2 months is S. India this year... can't wait to get back. Really likes your video... culture shock, not very friendly... but wow! what a place, what a people.

Dick

Catherine Vibert said...

Wow Dick what a great story! That must have been incredibly invigorating. Did you put that on the radio? It is so great to hear from you! You are a great inspiration, and I hope to still learn from you yet.

I'd love to hear more about your trip to India!

ceedy said...

That for a moment felt like part of history - on Emperor Ashoka from India - who realized on the battle field after the war that all was fruitless - was enlightened and become one of the biggest proponents of peace....

As of in these times - I just hope that those trees are kept intact to sing songs for us....with the way things are - everything and anything is up for grabs.

Catherine Vibert said...

I hear you Ceedy. Fighting at this moment in history seems like such a distraction from the real matter at hand, can the trees breathe? Can we? Can we eat food and drink water? Those are going to be the questions that, if they don't kill us first, are the basis of how we can bring this world together to 'fight' for the same cause. Life on earth.

Khaled KEM said...

The Lemonade Award is for sites which show great attitude and/or attitude!

I have one for you!

"Wake at dawn with a winged heart and gives thanks for another day of loving."
Khalil Gibran

Thanks

Khaled

Catherine Vibert said...

Thank you Khaled! How exciting! And thanks for the Khalil Gibran quote. I love him.

Linda S. Socha said...

Strong, intense. allegory for truth
What imagery...Beautiful...definitely must be read more than once
!
Linda

Catherine Vibert said...

Thank you Linda! And welcome to my little dance floor. ;-) It is best read out loud for sure.

Sameera Ansari said...

Lovely imagery!The picture complements the poem so well :)

Catherine Vibert said...

Sameera-Thank you. :-)

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