Thursday, June 8, 2017

the day before




we came, browsing stores  
and towers of lore-   
walking
London Bridge, sky's choir,
River's silver floor-
talking
we bought snacks & swore
peace! it was day 'fore
killing




Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - Hosted by Victoria Slotto - My officemate was touring London and was on the same London Bridge, the day before the June 3 Massacre.   

The lai is another French form. It’s a nine-line poem or stanza that uses an “a” and “b” rhyme following this pattern: aabaabaab. The lines with an “a” rhyme use 5 syllables; the “b” rhyme lines have 2 syllables. It feels kind of like organized skeltonic verse.

29 comments:

  1. Really makes you think, as you just never know. But have to keep striving for that peace.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my goodness, that was too close for comfort...........I love the sky's choir and the river's floor.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh I am so glad she is okay. So very sad these horrific events. But we must keep believing in the good!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So glad you addressed this, Grace. It's almost as though so much terrorism has numbed us to tragedy. Grateful your friend is safe. My niece was scheduled to visit the Twin Towers the day of 911. It really brings it home, though we still need to be so aware of how much pain there is.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This hits pretty hard, yet the descriptions, especially the river's silver floor, are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Intentions of peace get shocked by unexpected violence.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's always an uneasy feeling - we were in London that evening but nowhere near Borough Market, although it's a place we know well. You've expressed it so well in a short, tight form, Grace.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Such a peaceful moment when only afterwards you know you felt the breath of death. I recognize the feeling... I was on my way into town that day in April when the terrorist in a lorry killed people in Stockholm

    ReplyDelete
  9. The contrast between the beautiful imagery and the horror that followed is striking.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good on you for creating a more somber tone, illustrating that a Lai can tackle a serious message too. My Muse was all giggles today. Had a great aunt who had the distinction as a child of missing the sailing of the Titanic.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Whew. That last line hit me like a punch. Great tone here.

    ReplyDelete
  12. A reminder that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Sobering thought, well written.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow, written to powerful effect, Grace!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Grace, you nailed the form so well that reading your words feels formless - the flow is flawless!

    ReplyDelete
  15. "Towers of lore" and "River's silver floor" were really nice. You packed a lot into this poem.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Good description of a touristy day in London before something dreadful. Well crafted piece.

    ReplyDelete
  17. You brought us there

    ReplyDelete
  18. peace interrupted, one just never knows when that might happen.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Life is precious...and fragile.

    ReplyDelete
  20. The poem gave me a shiver that one would have in the day after. The lines are basking in peace. Specially love the second stanza.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I, too, am struck by the contrasts in this poem. The 'river's silver floor' is incredibly evocative.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh... your piece highlights the uncertainty of the future and that everyday is truly a gift.

    It also reminded me of my own visit to WTC In August 2001. I did not get a picture at the tower because I thought I could have it next time I visited. But it would never happen because a few days later, WTC fell.

    ReplyDelete
  23. The words 'sky's chore' is so beautiful and poem itself paints a vivid picture of the calm before the storm. Great poem.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Terrorism is a great plague in our world. It touches every aspect of our lives. Someone's watching over you, for good

    ReplyDelete
  25. Impactful and so very, very sad. The contrast between 2 days that, seemingly, began the same - is chilling to contemplate. My husband and I were on London Bridge around a decade ago and my mind did go back there again and again, the day of the attack.

    Thanks for the introduction to the 'lai'. I found it intriguing.

    ReplyDelete
  26. oooooooooh. beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  27. That's really thought-provoking.

    ReplyDelete

I try my best to reciprocate comments and visits.
I allow anonymous comments if you have difficulty posting them. Thank you & have a good day!!!