“See the Light” by Giulio Bernardi
How neatly click blocks as
they form the walls of box
container; clay, baked dust
pads prison, hope long flown,
left to airless midnights.
The keeper’s metals clank
thrice bringing tasteless gruel;
little more than corpse fuel
and sensory morsels.
Heat of stones tell seasons.
At times I’m graced with dreams;
playing xylophone ribs
is able to call them —
black turns to shadow, then
sun’s light begins to grow
bright on my closed eyelids.
I open them and see!
Hymns march across beams as
my music spirits church
again – before the war.
Dedicated to Prisoners of War
Carrie is the host of The Sunday Muse.
Also linked to Poets and Storytellers United: Friday Writings
Ingrid is today’s host for dVerse’ Poetics. Ingrid says:
For this prompt, write a poem inspired by a vision, dream, or both.
Tao Talk 
Strong piece Lisa. Had a wonderful reverent essence my friend… 🙂✌🏼❤️
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Rob, thanks much! ❤
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Such an evocative piece, Lisa. It really tells of the traces left behind by events and how that energy never really goes away. Not least the power of memories.
By the way, if you wanted, you could also link this piece to Poets and Storytellers United as their theme this week is war and peace.
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Thank you, Sunra. What’s the link to there?
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Here it is, Lisa:
https://poetsandstorytellersunited.blogspot.com/2022/09/friday-writings-45-war-and-peace.html
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Thank you, Sunra!
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Powerful! 🌞
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Thank you, Lisa.
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Too many behind bars…vividly rendered. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe, yes there are.
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A powerful, evocative poem Li.
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Thank you, Sadje.
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You’re most welcome
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playing xylophone ribs I like that Lisa…some great lines in it.
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Thanks, Max! It’s the kind of poem that can be interpreted in several ways.
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I’ve noticed that about some poems. I always wonder if I’m interpreting it the right way…but I guess in some…there is no right way.
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Well said, Max. I think that the final piece in any poem “puzzle” is the reader’s perspective.
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MSJADELI, when war is over, two things to watch for.
1. Peace and calmness, and
2. Another hostility sprouting, perhaps into another war.
Thank you, for peeking in on me. Yes, a little mild for expecting death, but that is me, I am old and am fairly ready. Of course I’d like to live longer than my dad, he was 96 when he died, almost 97. I am getting there fast seems to me. But It’s okay, someone else can have my place. here. For a several years I’ve been l’ve been telling folk that I’ve done every thing that I need to do and have done most everythings that I’ve liked to do.
..
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Jim, it is uplifting to read your philosophy about it. What was it that you think kept your dad wanting to live?
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Thanks for linking to P&SU. Very much on topic, yes. I see how that amazing picture can inspire both aspects you write of.
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You’re welcome, Rosemary.
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Visceral sense of unwarranted imprisonment, the misuse of spaces for warehousing people.
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YES. Too many who are imprisoned have no place being there, whereas too many who belong behind bars walk free 😦
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How dedpair lingers in the walls of the prisons that war builds is strongly enscripted here
Bravo
Much💛love
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Thanks much, Gillena, and what a great word, enscripted.
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A gripping, chilling poem .. I am reminded of John McCain and the countless others who endured what you have shared ~~ so eloquently.
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Helen, many thanks. My heart goes out to those who have suffered in such a way.
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Hi Lisa. Thanks for sharing these beautiful words. The image of sun streaming through the window is the perfect illustration for it too. Hugs on the wing.
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Thank you for the feedback and you’re welcome.
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Thank goodness or the light that shines into these dark walls. sigh..too many wars too many prisoners.
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❤
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So grace-fully done, Lisa.
~Dora
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Dora thank you very much. The light feels like God reaching in…
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I love the idea of a hymn marching across a beam of light. This is some amazing writing Lisa and the ending is stunning!
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Carrie, thank you very much. I wish it could reach each prisoner of war.
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A pretty bleak poem. But I guess when it comes to POWs, sadly, bleakness is the reality!
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Yes it is and yes it is. Thanks for reading, Christian.
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A powerful poem. I get a sense of hope.
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Thank you, I’m glad you do.
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Strong images, Lisa. As Truedessa says, thank goodness for the light in such dark times.
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Marion, thank you.
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Seems like light is always a gift even when its function isn’t about breaking up the darkness.
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YES. Imagine the first human who discovered fire.
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I wish I knew precisely how that went.
I remember enjoying how The Jungle Book (2016) depicted how animals perceived fire the first time they saw it. I hadn’t even thought about it until then.
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Connecting this to the other post, I’m guessing it was by lightning, and one of them said, how do we tame this thing 🙂
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I think you’re right. Especially when they realised that fire couldn’t literally chase them.
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Thank goodness for the light.
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Yes, thank you.
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Powerful poem, Lisa. Sometimes the light finds us.
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❤
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Sunlight beams are meant for daydreaming. Thanks for stopping by. I will say that boys starting with “A” and could never twist another 26 turns to get back. Higher letter guys didn’t stand a chance either.
..
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this is superb writing Lisa! 💗
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Cindy, thank you very much!
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Very nicely done Lisa. I loved the “corpses gruel” . Such a vivid image!
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Thank you, Dwight. Starvation is the norm in prisons. One of the many ways the prisoners are kept dehumanized.
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Very sad indeed!
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I like the sense of both despair and sanctuary you’ve created here, Lisa – a powerful evocation!
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Ingrid, thank you very much.
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I felt almost like escape from such a prison can only be made by dying.
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Bjorn, I think you’re right. Even those who one day get paroled are never free from it 😦
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Loved the powerful reverence of this piece the first time I read Lisa, and it still captivates me my friend… 🙂✌🏼❣️
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Rob, I’m glad you remembered it and glad it captivates you, thank you.
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My goodness this is absolutely breathtaking and potent! 💘💘I especially admire;
“At times I’m graced with dreams;
playing xylophone ribs
is able to call them —
black turns to shadow, then
sun’s light begins to grow.”
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Thank you, Sanaa ❤
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Profound and well expressed, Li. 🙂
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Kitty, thank you very much ❤
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Gorgeous poetry.🤩🤩🤩
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Thank you! 🙂
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