Tuesday 11 November 2014

The Pause

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I was in town this morning at 11:00 hrs. This gave rise to the following poem, I hope you like it.

The Pause

The siren wails,
Its caterwaul blankets the town
in the sound of yesteryear.
Then, at eleven sharp,
the dull thump of a canon
echoes through grey streets.
It bounces off granite facades,
sweeps over ancient cobbles
like an invisible broom
it clears the clatter and hubbub
of everyday life.
An eerie silence descends
as the metropolis stills.
People stop to reflect,
heads bowed,
thoughts, private.
The brief interlude ends
As the "All Clear" sounds,
Heroes remembered,
thanked,
as we, the free,
resume our busy lives.

John Carré Buchanan
11 November 2014

36 comments:

  1. Excellent, John. A fine and necessary poem. Some clever choices: caterwaul, for example, is perfect for the sound of a siren. I like image of the invisible broom sweeping away the everyday sounds.

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    1. Richard, thanks for your kind comment. The words seemed to come so easily this time, just two coffees and it was done. I guess it is easier to write when things are very close to your heart.

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  2. "like an invisible broom
    it clears the clatter and hubbub
    of everyday life."

    We need to do this housekeeping, this cleansing, more often.

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    1. Hi Susan, Thanks for your comment, I agree with you.

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  3. You have captured a reverential moment so well. I can hear the city falling silent in respect.

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  4. Lovely moment captured when the town is showing respect.

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  5. John,

    An excellent tribute to those who gave their lives for the rest of the world. A brief silence, scarcely enough..but a respectful remembrance...

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  6. Sometimes a pause is enough. Sometimes, more is needed. May we have the discernment to know which time we are in.

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  7. Great poem You transported me straight away to Anzac day; the anniversary of the landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers in Gallipoli

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  8. Beautifully written. A moments silence and then life resumes as usual. For me there is something unresolved about this.Our lives are too busy and taken up with things that ultimately don't count.This is my take on your poem. I enjoyed it very much.Thank you.

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    1. Hi Rallentanda, Thank you for your comment, I'm glad you like the poem.

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  9. A moving meditation on what truly matters--gratitude for those that sacrificed for us. Wonderful!

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  10. I wonder how many remember that the British Channel Islands were occupied by Germany in WW2. It is good that their survival is remembered in this way.

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    1. Hi Old Egg, thanks for your comment, We Remember Armistice Day (11 November) like this, and we celebrate our Liberation Day on the 9th of May in Guernsey and 10th of May in Sark. Liberation Day is a public holiday and much more of a celebration.

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  11. Yeah a moment of silence is needed when heroes are remembered. that's a nice experience you had. good day!

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  12. I will never forget those who died for our freedom and my remembering is of honour and respect.
    I visited Guernsey as a child (perhaps 8-9) and have three very vivid memories of it. One being the smell of the underground military hospital - I can smell it now - but that is all I remember as many moons have passed.
    Anna :o]

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    1. Hi Anna, Hopefully your other memories are more enjoyable. The underground hospital is a foreboding place. Thanks for your comment.

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  13. I love how your words recreate the pause you experienced at that moment.

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    1. Thank you Namratha, I'm glad that you enjoyed the poem.

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  14. An important moment of silence beautifully captured. I like your choice of words too.

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    1. Hi Khaya, Thanks for your comment, I'm glad you enjoyed the poem.

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  15. Luv that "invisible broom sweep" its dynamic and mysterious all at the same time in effecting an interlude of silence. Happy you dropped by my blog John

    Much💖love

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  16. It is good to take time to pause - so rarely it happens

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  17. Lovely peom John. Great choice of words.
    Thank you.

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    1. Hi Tim, Thank you for your kind comment, I'm glad you like the poem.

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