Messages from Moscow

Gold cherry

By marandina

Wed, 02 Mar 2022
  • 6291 reads
32 comments
 

Audio version at: https://soundcloud.com/user-62051685/messages-from-moscow-mp3

 

Messages from Moscow

Kyiv had been in my thoughts

as I stared at his face, far-away

on-screen in a bleak, Moscow flat,

brutalist block untouched by war.

 

We spoke of modern conflagration

and last night’s blood red borscht,

hopes and dreams of schoolchildren,

pink backpacks daubed with peace.

 

We looked to an uncertain future,

where borders may be redrawn,

our differences valued or decried,

partisans astride scorched earth.

 

Through all the rhetoric and hubris,

bridges were being bombed, burned,

thousands of miles away from home

his image faded away once more.

 

 

Footnote

My son teaches English to Russian children in Moscow

Image free to use via WikiCommons at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:P1130119-1.JPG

Certificate PG
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Unclassified

Comments

Submitted by Di_Hard on

You must be worried? Is he finding any bad feeling yet? I heard a lady in Russia on the radio yesterday saying that her President was a" calm, reasonable man" and would never bomb Ukraine, it was all foreign lies.

In your poem, the colours you use in the second part, really stood out for me, of soup particular to the East and schoolbags that are familiar all over the world. You say so much here about place, age, hope, different understandings and points of view, in just a few lines!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Di. He is fine and will be back in the UK later in the year. Yes, the use of colours was intentional. The poem is meant to blur some of the media messages. Sanctions will hurt the public rather than the leaders. What's happening is horrific but most of the Russian public are NOT supportive. It's tragic to see stories about young, Russian children protesting and being arrested. Some are just little kids. We can only hope that sense prevails at some stage. Thanks again. Paul

https://nypost.com/2022/03/02/russian-primary-school-kids-arrested-in-ru...

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

Thinking of you and him, Paul. Your use of colour in this poem is indeed remarkable. I have seen a bit about how the situation is being presented to the Russian people, but in this day and age even dictatorships struggle to completely control the news, and it has been amazing to see people coming out to protest in Russia, despite the high price they pay. Thanks for posting the link - I hadn't seen the thing about the children. 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Jane. Yes, the State has restricted Internet access and taken down Twitter. They want the public to only see the official version of news shown on television. Of course, there will be many that believe what they are being told. The thought of little kids being arrested probably sums up the tolerance of independent thought over there. Ironically, the demand for children to be taught English so that they can have a brighter future both in Russia and elsewhere in the world is huge. That's the ultimate tragedy of the Ukrainian "military mission" - it's taking away the future for many ordinary Russians as well as decimating a peaceful country. Thanks again. Paul

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

This very beautiful and moving poem is our Facebook and Twitter Pick of the Day. Please do share/retweet. 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thank you, so much. It's a difficult situation that's hard to watch unfold for many of us. I just hope sanity prevails soon and the suffering ends. Thanks again. Paul x

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

The conversation screen to screen, shows the connection between countries. Indeed tragedy to Russians and Ukrainians, and so many soldiers caught up in something they do not want. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

Yes, agreed Rhiannon. It looks like Russian soldiers were sold a pup and told that people in Ukraine would pat them on their back and garland their tanks with flowers. They didn't expect people to stand in front of tanks and take up arms instead. Again, more tragic victims in all this - young, Russian soldiers who don't want to kill their brothers and sisters in Ukraine. Thanks again. Paul

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

The bravery of those who have protested in Russia is really something else, and I've heard some of the very young conscripts weren't even told they'd be fighting. This must be such a worrying time for you and your son. I hope a way out can be found as soon as possible. So much tragedy. Thank you for posting this very personal piece

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thank you for reading it, insert. For sure, protesting in Russia is a brave thing to do. These are worrying times for many people. The children he teaches struggle to understand the reason for going to war. It should be something consigned to history by now which, I imagine, is why so many people have been mobilised by a conflict that has gone viral in media coverage. We watch and hope and carry on as best we can. Thanks again. Paul :)

 

Submitted by celticman on

I think he's safe in Russia. He wouldn't be in Ukraine. But I'd be thinking it was best he came home. Obviously, he's an adult. But wrong country and wrong time, springs to mind. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, CM. He is coming home soon. Not sure why he wants to stay on. His visa has just been renewed for another 3 months. Hoping sense prevails in Ukraine. We know how this plays out. We've seen it elsewhere...

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Makes sense Celticman

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Far as the West goes, it is Mutual Assured Destruction. Ukraine is farting against thunder defeat is inevitable. If it was me I would just surrender. It's a sensitive story and making myself very unpopular here, it is the cleverest thing the Afrikaners ever did.

 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks for reading it, Tom. I guess we'll see what happens. Paul

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

You know what I might be wrong Paul and even if the sanctions and economic measures might have little  effect in the short term, the thing is there is strong and growing opposition to the war within Russia itself.

I apologise, yes things are never quite as simple.

Tom

 

Submitted by marandina on

There's a lot of water to flow under this bridge yet, Tom. Although it's clear that a short window has been missed by the Russians for a "clean" operation. With every day that goes past, the more of a mess they will get into as more countries shore up the resistance. I don't know when this will all end but sooner beats later with the devastating impact on so many lives. Putin has a lot to answer for. Paul

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

The line it is drawn the curse it is cast.

 

Submitted by David Kirtley on

Great Poem Marandina! You perfectly describe the mood and the uncertainty in 'untouched' Moscow. I do hope your son will be able to complete his 3 months, but it may be wise to return. War could get nastier and Ukraine still end up occupied, but somehow, although it would be preferable for a proper negotiated peace to be created, I still feel the Ukrainians' noble resistance could beat the Russians' half hearted invasion, and Vladimir just might lose his own throne in the process. (But perhaps, being a writer, perhaps I am believing too much in my own desired plot!)

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks for reading it, David. Yes, watching the situation closely re my lad. I can't see anything other than the Russian forces taking over in Ukraine. Sadly, a drawn out guerrilla war will probably ensue. Nothing good can come from any of this. Alternatively, I hope you are proved right. Paul

 

Submitted by agnosticnun on

Beautifully simple response to the heartbreak that is our world.

Kristi

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thank you for reading it, Kristi. Paul

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

Just found this poem Paul and after reading it, and knowing your son is in Russia, I can imagine it was penned with a personal worry. I pray your son is safe and back home soon.

Penny4athought

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks for reading it, Penny. He is fine. He's relatively unaffected in Moscow having been in Russia for over 2 years now. Hopefully, he will be home by early summer. Thank you for thinking of him and hoping you are well. Paul

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Paul

Beautiful poem, made even more meaningful by realising the situation with your son. 

Jean Day

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks for reading it, Jean. I did send this to my son to read and he liked it which means a lot. Hoping you are well. Paul

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

I was thinking about your son last weekend Paul, as mine was cluttering up my flat at the time and I realised how lucky I was. Glad to hear he is doing OK

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks for thinking of him, Jane. Sadly, the effects of the Ukrainian conflict are far and wide - see article below about Russian students in the UK. The whole thing is one, unnecessary nightmare. The sooner it gets sorted and peace terms are agreed, the better for many millions. Paul

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2022/mar/06/russians-at-uk-univers...

 

Submitted by Hades502 on

Hey Paul, great poem. Not sure if it is actually your son, or the speaker of the poem's son, but regardless, hope all is well. My apologies for not having been on the site for a time, but have been busy with other endeavors, and also back at work. Quite topical, this poem is.

GGHades502

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks for reading it, Hades. Good to see you back. Paul

 

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