Her Music Braved The Darkness

For a remarkable young lady who survived Sarajevo.

 

Winter crept throughout the valley

taunting those who would not flee

Each new day a solemn funeral

another friend for whom to grieve

Little food, no heat, no windows

only the will to stay, to fight

But for those held hostage in the city

from the darkness, music, every night

  

The old piano, an ancient treasure

oh the stories it could tell

It came from a time long past away

but those years were weathered well

At keyboard’s edge, a gifted girl

from deep within the music played

As night crept upon the city

the young girl‘s hands could not be stayed

 

So she sat and played for hours

as the shells fell all around

She didn’t notice the explosions

that shook the very ground

She just played that old piano

as she awaited her time to die

She gave hope to all the people

her gift of music, every night

 

Over time the shells stopped falling

her sweet music faded away

The survivors rebuilt their city

and it thrives again today

But many still remember

the music in the night

And the girl? Oh she still plays, yes…

but to a different sort of fight.

Reviews

[J]

One of the things that makes your work especially gratifying to read is that it is so often inspired by the heart and doings of others and expressed in the way it effects yours. This young lady's story is absolutely beyond courageous, and your sharing it in your beautiful verse is positively inspiring.

Again, I am in awe of where your heart takes you.
;-) ~j

[Dezaraye]

This is an incredible story and you've told it incredibly well in your poem. I love the easy flow and the vivid imagery. Very beautifully done. I'm amazed.

[R J Askew]

What does the last line mean? What is her new 'fight'? Can hear the shells falling and the ground vibrating. And I wonder what she was playing, happy sad, classic, jazz? I imagine it would have to be Chopin with some crazy jazz interludes to relieve the tension. To hear Clare du Lune in such circumstances would be overwhelming as the beauty of the notes contrasted with the contrast of the shells. Reminds me of the Owen poem with the lines.......'save the choirs, - The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;' Great title to your poem and the lines support it perfectly.

[Robert Luna]

This was such an emotional stirring piece of work. I am sorry I missed before but was well worth the read. I really felt the passion of the words and the haunting sense that the imagery left in my head as I envisioned such horrible scene that we could not imagine how one would survive in such a way. You did this a great honor and wrote it with the fire it needed.

Great Job!!!!!!

[Emily B]

A haunting tale that everyone should read. . . we don't full comprehend the lives that others are forced to live. We should always be more aware of what our neighbors are going through. Oh, and I just thought of someone I have to send it to. . . I'm glad I came.

[Dave "Doc" Rogers]

Interesting. Good work, good story, good conclusion, good structure, good bit of writing. I like the way it went. A different sort of bravery, a different sort of obsession. Good stuf overall.

Cheers!
Doc.

[J.P. Bristow]

I loved this so much I made it a featured work in our group!....great write!

[Kristina Moulaison]

This is a stunning, inspiring and beautiful story. So glad you shared it. This is well written and beautiful. You have done her bravery great justice.