What an incredibly visual account, Chris. The elegant woman, her informed brother caught at a moment as tribute to their love but - a tragic future, including the loss of Tryphena's husband. Too many photographs remain of that time, a generation of men lost, and women who remained spinsters for the remainder of their lives. You've captured that sad, sad time so brilliantly.. albeit a terrible time.
Posted 4 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
4 Years Ago
Many thanks Em. There are so many photographs, each one telling a story. This one though, I found my.. read moreMany thanks Em. There are so many photographs, each one telling a story. This one though, I found myself thinking about long after leaving the museum. The expression on her face, almost told me she knew what was coming next. She was so tiny, like a little sparrow, and her brother so handsome. The sacrifice never fails to move me.
Chris
4 Years Ago
There have been a billion tragic moments involving war.. but perhaps 1914- 1918 left the deepest sca.. read moreThere have been a billion tragic moments involving war.. but perhaps 1914- 1918 left the deepest scars. Know many would dispute that but.. (Must visit that museum.)
"The news from the front is not altogether good," said Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig of the first day of the First Battle of the Somme in 1916, the bloodiest day in the history of warfare. The statistics are ghastly to read, but this poem puts a human face on them. The image of the young woman and her brother comes through clearly in these descriptive lines. To lose a brother and a spouse in six months time is unimaginable, but the war was only half over. There was much more mourning to come.
Posted 4 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
4 Years Ago
The Field Marshal's quote, a huge understatement of fact. I guess it had to be. Yes those photograph.. read moreThe Field Marshal's quote, a huge understatement of fact. I guess it had to be. Yes those photographs do put a human face on to the situation. The statistics become real people and then the empathy sets in. Thank you John.
Well what I love about this piece, Chris, is something I could never identify in words when I was a kid, the skill with which you brighten and dull the colours of the visual. Makes me think of The Twilight Zone, originally shown in black and white, but the tale would be told so vividly, you could see the ironies in colour.
Not to mention the history, the etymology, the mythology, the psychology and the zoology turned beautifully in every phrase of this close and honest write.
Deb :)
Posted 4 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
4 Years Ago
What a lovely review Deb. Thank you so much for your thoughts on my lines. Great to have you on my p.. read moreWhat a lovely review Deb. Thank you so much for your thoughts on my lines. Great to have you on my page. All good wishes.
This one touched my heart. Nothing really good comes out of wars, especially for families, and always terrible to have them torn apart this way.
I found myself looking at that sepia image through your words here. That's how good your imagery is, Christine.
Posted 4 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
4 Years Ago
Many thanks Dr Y. Long after viewing this old photo, the image played on my mind. The least I could .. read moreMany thanks Dr Y. Long after viewing this old photo, the image played on my mind. The least I could do is remember their pain and heartbreak in a poem. Touched me too.
Chris
4 Years Ago
I wouldn't have been able to forget the image either after seeing it and knowing the back story to i.. read moreI wouldn't have been able to forget the image either after seeing it and knowing the back story to it...
You're welcome.
The story of the ancient people. They had to strong. I enjoyed the story written. Old world, worst than new world. War is never-ending. Women had to be brave. Thank you dear Chris for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote
Posted 4 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
4 Years Ago
Many thanks Coyote for your thoughts. All good wishes.
In this one photograph you tell the tale of a girl and her sibbling and war and loss and grief in words that describe the emotion of the photograph better than the original. A well constructed verse steeped in pathos and empathy.
Posted 4 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
4 Years Ago
Many thanks John for your lovely review. Much appreciated.
What an incredibly visual account, Chris. The elegant woman, her informed brother caught at a moment as tribute to their love but - a tragic future, including the loss of Tryphena's husband. Too many photographs remain of that time, a generation of men lost, and women who remained spinsters for the remainder of their lives. You've captured that sad, sad time so brilliantly.. albeit a terrible time.
Posted 4 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
4 Years Ago
Many thanks Em. There are so many photographs, each one telling a story. This one though, I found my.. read moreMany thanks Em. There are so many photographs, each one telling a story. This one though, I found myself thinking about long after leaving the museum. The expression on her face, almost told me she knew what was coming next. She was so tiny, like a little sparrow, and her brother so handsome. The sacrifice never fails to move me.
Chris
4 Years Ago
There have been a billion tragic moments involving war.. but perhaps 1914- 1918 left the deepest sca.. read moreThere have been a billion tragic moments involving war.. but perhaps 1914- 1918 left the deepest scars. Know many would dispute that but.. (Must visit that museum.)
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..