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Open Poetry #49
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OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

0 posted 2016-08-01 01:15 PM


29 July 2016

Note: Thanks to Vera Lynn and all relevant people.  Though written in a literal reaction to Nature’s exuberance yesterday and today, it is also the today of Vera Lynn’s tomorrow, and as such, an attempt at encouragement to those in dark days, to feel the truth of the words of the song for them in their particular needs.  It must have seemed difficult to believe during the 2nd World War that there would indeed be “blue skies over the white cliffs of Dover” again, but for those who survived to see them, there were – and during this deluge of proportions that, to the best of my recollection, I have never seen in my more than 70½ years, it seemed as though we would never see blue skies, sunshine and dry weather again, but we did.  (You can tell I have never been to the UK, lol!)  

After five deaths and devastation
when Mother Nature ripped away the safety nets
and the sky’s ocean fell
from a tip-up truck
of never-ending monolithic rock run wild
in a forty-eight hour shift,
the brave sky is whistle-clean and true-blue translucent
and the air is bursting with inspirational, song celebrations
and the trees have shaken their hair dry
and the sun embraces all it touches
with its comforting warmth
and life re-emerges for some
in solemn remembrance of those
for whom it did not.

© Copyright 2016 Diana van den Berg - All Rights Reserved
secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
1 posted 2016-08-01 01:39 PM


My dad was in the U.S. 8th. Army air force in W.W. 2 -  The song about "blue birds (and skies)
over the white cliffs of Dover" was his favorite 'survival anthem' ... The version by the "Righteous
Brothers" was rather fine too. :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7QN1GZlF8c

sadly, 'the world' still is not 'free!'

Fine 'write' (as always) !

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
2 posted 2016-08-01 03:05 PM


Thank you for your lovely, kind words and interesting reply, Bruce.

Thank you, too, for the link.  I listened and yes, their rendition is lovely too.

Yes, the world isn't free.  Strange things humans are.  Now if animals ruled the world, I sure it would be.  I'm sure Ms Buttons would agree!  

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
3 posted 2016-08-01 03:18 PM


How lovely yet tragic. Your words are a watercolor! ~L
OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
4 posted 2016-08-01 03:29 PM


Thank you for your kind, compassionate reply, Lori.
JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
5 posted 2016-08-01 10:19 PM


really nice writing...james
OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
6 posted 2016-08-02 02:12 AM


Thank you, James.  
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
7 posted 2016-08-06 06:23 AM


Always loved that song Diana.
                       Ida

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