Guitarists strum chords on guitars
& singers sing. A pianist
floats fingered scales on her keyboard,
but what will we call this soldier
coaxing steel drum tones from a tank?
Guitarists strum chords on guitars
but this man is a war artist,
his palms can sound steel to anthems
on this tank, built for killing, but
now an instrument armed for peace.
Guitarists strum chords on guitars
but who is this soldier, singing
his hands are hammers, beating swords
into plowshares to till in peace,
and plays his piece easy, the way
guitarists strum chords on guitars.
***We are trying out quaterns at Dverse today. However, this is a special poem, requiring several mentions of other WP blogs, as it was inspired by a video, which Terry at Mobius Faith reblogged and referenced a passage in Isaiah about beating swords into plowshares. I already reblogged the video, but it is worth a second look, I think. Here it is.
Susan Daniels Poetry 
Very, very good! The final stanza is brilliant.
David, thank you! Got the idea to play peace/piece from a brilliant poet from BC who played gather against itself 😉
this man is a war artist,
his palms can sound steel to anthems….how cool is that…wish they would turn all war instruments into music instruments… cool job on the form as well susan…see ya later in the pub..
Thanks, Claudia–glad you liked my experiment. You know my allergy to forms by now, but this one was okay–not making me rhyme and really only worrying about the refrain and counting syllables on my fingers 😉
Had fun building this one. See you later…
This is beautiful … i loved the form you used !!!
Oh, thank you, Green. You should try one of these out–I really liked the form.
Wow… this is powerful, Susan. I love the contrast between the musicians and the soldier.
http://lkkolp.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/a-found-quatern-christmas-jubilee/
Lori, thank you! If you get a chance, watch the video, because in this case, the soldier is a musician, and the tank his instrument. I had to write about it…
Loved this Susan. You made this work beautifully and for the season as well – in a time of peace on earth, the message is beat those drums and weapons should be turned into plowshare (or instruments). Great poem and use of the form! Loved it.
Gay, thank you! Hearing that music and seeing that video was so well timed. Those images seemed to beg to get into this poem.
oh very cool….it is nice to think even in war art can be found…and that maybe out of it we might find some peace as well…love the music in this…all our weapons to instruments….smiles…
I am all for that–all our tanks drums, all out swords plowshares…
I’m with David; the last stanza immediately jumped out at me and probably because whenever I see a soldier speak of peace a part of me thinks that peace really is possible.
Thanks, Jeremy–I agree with you and David. Often, I think soldiers are the most qualified of us to speak out for peace, because they have seen firsthand the awful alternative. I know that I listen to their voices carefully, as their words have the bite of experience in them when they advocate for peace.
I think (some) soldiers often offer the most complex observations. Maybe it is because they are liminal figures in the mythological sense: they can beat swords into ploughshares all the while knowing that you need both.
Still feeling poetically blocked, Jeremy? Because that sounds like a really good Jeremy poem to me!
this brought tears to my eyes, Susan. wonderfull done!
Miriam, thank you. Never would have happened if I hadn’t heard and seen this. I was stunned.
Brilliant my busy bee 🙂
Aw, thank you Mike–I enjoy these pearls of praise from my panda partner in poetry…
I couldn’t think of a ‘P’, now your pee’ing all over the place! That’s taking the…!
Awww–you know I think you are the greatest panda since sliced bread, right? Wow, that just sounds so… Wrong.
I do – weirdo! 😉
😉
Perfection! Excellent use of metaphors. 🙂
Thanks so much, Charlie.
You’re welcome. 🙂
A brilliant use of the form. I loved all the sibilance when I read it aloud.
Thanks so much, Viv! How are you feeling?
OK thanks, but tired.
Glad you are OK, hope you can get more rest.
This is very well written to the form, plus leaves us with an important message. I can hear that guitar strumming.
Mary, thank you.
I like your theme and presentation of it. We were nearby on topic, at least in the same hemisphere :), but, great job and loved your repeating line.
We were very, very close. Practically right next door to each other 😉
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.
Great juxtaposition of thoughts here, very well done!
Nico, thank you!
O, bless you. The first question blew me away! and I fell to pieces throughout the rest (in a Patty Paige way). And if ever he truly is allowed to remake the tank into something resembling a drum, we will have to rename him. For now he’s a hybrid folk singer sculptor tank drummer who could play by firing as well as by drumming.
Yes, Susan–that is precisely why the video impacted me so powerfully and I had to write this. Thank you for the wonderful comment.
Really, really enjoyed this. Very good job of juxtaposition. Excellent.
AJ, thank you very much! I had to do it after I watched the video…
Didn’t quite get the rhythms at first – my fault, not yours – but on second reading it began to sing with the voice you gave it. Admirable piece of work. Very glad I came this way.
David, thank you so much! Glad you stopped by.
I loved the interplay between the notion of war and the symbolism of musical instruments. For me it highlighted the incongruity of how humankind can use its talents and resources for beautiful or devastating outcomes.
Oh, well said!
If only this was the extent of weaponry, to gather and make music.
Yes. I loved this re-purposing of a war machine.
Oh, I agree.
..well survived… and it reads just exactly fine to me… like you i also didn’t follow everything ’bout Quatern…i only retained the rhymings &
refrains.. smiles..
Oh, you rebel you! I am in good company then 😉
I was reminded of a Pete Seeger or Joan Baez sound…perhaps the words took me there…great use of the form, Susan;)
Oh, I looooove Joan Baez, so I am doubly flattered 😉 Thanks!
Nicely done. Powerful words, putting a worthy case.
Thank you. I can think of no cause more crucial.
Marvellous, Susan, thought-provoking and evocative
Thank you, Polly.
Thanx, Susan, that video was a treat. May it come true.
Your refrain fits perfectly in the stanza.
Really enjoyed the read, thanks
Thank you, Sabio. I hope that threat comes true too.