A Poem for Paris

For anyone affected by the events of 13/11/15

A Poem for Paris

 

Strolling along the path in total darkness,

Looking to the star filled sky.

Counting them as quickly as my eyes will allow,

But its far short of those taken.

 

Thinking if I were meeting loved ones,

In loved places,

In a beloved city I could call my own,

What would I do if it were my last?

 

For some that was their fate,

One chilling evening.

An evening of horror,

Shock and atrocities beyond comprehension.

And understanding.

 

So much confusion,

So much is said,

About who suffered the worst.

An attack on the world?

Maybe.

An attack on Europe?

Possibly.

An attack on France,

Quite literally.

 

But I can say this was an attack on people,

With most certainty.

People who laughed,

Loved,

And tried to live.

Who tried to enjoy,

What little there is left to enjoy in life.

Why is it always the ones who have the least say,

Suffer the worse that comes?

 

For freedom was once something,

We at least thought we had.

But now even that's gone.

To a world that is sad.

 

I dare not complain,

About not feeling free.

When so many paid the price,

For doing what anyone should be able to.

 

Qu'ils reposent en paix

Reviews

[Eichendorff]

Sorry, of course also a word on the form of the poem.
I like the style, a mixture of contemplation and questioning. Form and content are very well linked! Many questions which I like!

[Eichendorff]

Hey Owen,
thanks for uploading this poem!!! Some remarks, I don't claim I'm right with it, so feel free to ignore it:
"the loved ones" instead of "the loves ones"
maybe "that's gone" instead of "that gone"
The topic is very serious and depressing and you did a great job voicing your feelings. I agree with you that we should focus on the fact that it is about people, humans. I don't care where terror is spread, the country does not matter. Terror is terror is fear which is always unacceptable.
I think I disagree if I do not misunderstand you with your last statement that it is ok to have your freedom restrained because of the attacks. I think that is what the terrorists want, we shouldn't give it to them. You can never outrule the pure possibility of a terror attack, even though that is of course tragic.
Or maybe I misinterprete you, then I'm sorry!

[Owen Aldin]

Thank you for the review and highlighting the grammatical errors. I agree with your view in that we should not succumb to letting these people win and be scared from carrying on with our lives.

I guess the poem was out of those unwanted feelings people have expressed about being scared and hesitant about doing normal everyday things, following not just these, but many attacks that have happened recently. Most of those who were tragically affected by these events were normal people, living in a time where most cannot afford sometimes even the essentials of life, yet the one thing we at least thought we had was the enjoyment of doing things with people we love and care about. Though people's behaviour shows unity and defiance in continuing to do the things they did before, many including myself still feel threatened and uncomfortable inside about our own safety.

Appreciate the feedback, perhaps this does not come as across as strongly as I wanted it to!