Aug 15, 2009

8th Virtual Poetry Circle

Don't forget about the Verse Reviewers link I'm creating here on Savvy Verse & Wit.

Send me an email with your blog information to savvyverseandwit AT gmail DOT com

And now, for the eighth edition of the Virtual Poetry Circle:

OK, Here's a poem up for reactions, interaction, and--dare I say it--analysis:

Remember, this is just for fun and is not meant to be stressful.

Keep in mind what Molly Peacock's books suggested. Look at a line, a stanza, sentences, and images; describe what you like or don't like; and offer an opinion. If you missed my review of her book, check it out here.

Here's today's poem by Pavel Friedmann from Holocaust Poetry compiled by Hilda Schiff (Page 25):

The Butterfly

He was the last. Truly the last.
Such yellowness was bitter and blinding
Like the sun's tear shattered on stone.
That was his true colour.
And how easily he climbed, and how high,
Certainly, climbing, he wanted
To kiss the last of my world.

I have been here for seven weeks,
'Ghettoized'.
Who loved me have found me,
Daisies call to me,
And the branches also of the white chestnut in the yard.
But I haven't seen a butterfly here.
That last one was the last one.
There are no butterflies, here, in the ghetto.

Let me know your thoughts, ideas, feelings, impressions. Let's have a great discussion...pick a line, pick an image, pick a sentence. Most of all have fun!


6 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Wow, that's a powerful image. I especially like the line, "Like the sun's tear shattered on stone." I can see exactly how bright and vivid that yellow was.

There is such a feeling of longing, as the narrator remembers that last butterfly, wishing for one in his bleak surroundings. Also interesting that he chose to make the butterfly yellow, the same color as the star the Jews were forced to wear.

Serena said...

Great insight! I really love all of your comments about this poem.

my favorite line is the first lines, they really set the theme:

"He was the last. Truly the last.
Such yellowness was bitter and blinding"

Even though the daises and the white chestnut are calling him, its the butterfly he longs to see...unlike the butterfly, the daises and chestnut are stationary...unable to leave their surroundings...really I think Pavel is seeking freedom. (understandable considering the situation).

Anna said...

There is such a sadness to this poem. I love the lines "To kiss the last of my world" and "That last one was the last one." My head is too much in a fog to think on it more than that. :(

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Serena said...

This is a very emotional poem to me. I started reading this collection over the weekend and just loved this poem. Pavel was an 11 year old killed in WWII.

Anna said...

So sad! I'll have to borrow the book when you're done with it. I'm looking forward to your review.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Serena said...

It could be a while for the review; I'm just reading a poem here and there.