Wind of History by Jacek Yerka
"History is a cyclic poem written by Time upon the memories of man". ~Percy Bysshe Shelley
The place my grandmother came from
is the place my child would be destined to go.
There is no way I could have foreseen it,
but here in my sojourn backward I now know.
All the destruction of one bent affliction
of one searching for a cure of a hollowing ache
can leave a path filled with acres of ruin
for the seeds of another generation to face.
For the legacy of this disease of suffering
is a gift no one in sanity would ever choose,
yet it is an inheritance granted with no favor
to the descendants of history's unsettling dues.
is the place my child would be destined to go.
There is no way I could have foreseen it,
but here in my sojourn backward I now know.
All the destruction of one bent affliction
of one searching for a cure of a hollowing ache
can leave a path filled with acres of ruin
for the seeds of another generation to face.
For the legacy of this disease of suffering
is a gift no one in sanity would ever choose,
yet it is an inheritance granted with no favor
to the descendants of history's unsettling dues.
Wow...quote powerful. But at the same time quite profound. Choice and inheritance are not friends are they?
ReplyDeleteVery sad, this poem speaks to many. Beautifully written and so brave of you to share this.
ReplyDeleteQuite wonderful, really. And a sad truth.
ReplyDelete=)
Powerful and so vivid.
ReplyDeleteI thank you for this... It runs in my family, too. All we can do is pray.
Brilliant Carrie. Awesome how your words so perfectly chosen and placed create such beauty and yet show so much pain.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we're just stuck. Best not to dwell on what we have no power over. I think there is an old Irish prayer to that effect.
ReplyDeleteYour poem relays the truth shared by many families. I appreciate your openness and honesty in this write.
ReplyDeleteVery poignant , Carrie , thanks
ReplyDeletedang...and inheritance of no favor...there are def generational things that carry forward if we never break the cycle...disease is a bit different and in that we pray and hope...
ReplyDeleteA wonderfully written and thought-provoking piece.
ReplyDeleteOne wonders how we are genetically imprinted with the addictions or afflictions of our past generations. Both cancer and alcoholism are in my family's legacy, and I hope neither my children or grandchildren will never see the sadness and ruin that either can cause. We do the best we can, but some things are beyond our realm of control.
a very powerful poem!
ReplyDeleteYes, a powerful write, Carrie...this could be my family tree, as well...
ReplyDeleteThis must have come from a place very deep within you Carrie. Beautifully composed.
ReplyDeleteIntensely felt as if I were you- genetics and environment are often times beyond our control. Wishing your daughter peace and you peace of mind.
ReplyDeleteUnsettling dues~very profound
ReplyDeleteSo often, we become intimate lovers to that which has greedily devoured all we've loved
Curious things, these humans
Horrific tragedies, these generational curses.
You penned it beautifully, as always, Carrie
With your usual punch of wisdom
Whether national history or the history of a family there can be so much pain that is passed down. A wonderful take on the image.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet we do choose this incarnation, yet not remember the choosing or reason behind the pain. Deep. Tigerbrite
ReplyDeleteSo powerful ... I have been sitting here agog for ten minutes just re-reading ... yes, families have hidden (and not so) tendencies that can come back to haunt the young over and over ... this is such a fine poem.
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