“We’ll know as children again all that we are
destined to know, that the water is cold
and deep, and the sun penetrates only so far”
~ Jim Harrison from Death Again
Torn from parents
hearts ripped apart–
how it starts–
the cycle of hate
spinning behind gates.
Business we’re told,
souls are sold
in heat or dank cold
children are taught
the rotational fear,
fraught frontiers–
till some break free
to lead us
from insanity.
This is a quadrille for dVerse, where Kim has asked us to use the word cycle, and a response to Day 18 of Jilly’s 28 Days of Unreason, inspired by the poetry of Jim Harrison. Last night we saw Audra McDonald in concert. One of the songs she performed was a medley of “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” from South Pacific (Rodgers and Hammerstein) and “Children Will Listen” from Into the Woods (Sondheim).
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I like the phrase “rotational fear” — an interesting way to describe how we pass it on from one generation or group of people to another.
Thank you. It seemed to fit. 🙂
Children who suffer often grow up to be tormentors. You’re right, it is a cycle of hate. Self-hate often enough.
Thank you, Jane. Yes, it is often self-hate.
Hard to shake that one.
This is so sad, children being ripped away from their parents.
It is very sad and horrible.
And yes, this type of bigotry has to be taught. Sorry. My tablet published before I was ready
I’m always hitting publish before I mean to.
Yes, it is taught. Sometimes intentionally and sometimes not.
I like how you associate souls being sold with cycles of hate.
Thank you, Frank. The shoes seem to fit.
I can only imagine what the parents and the children must be going through.
Yes–a nightmare. It is horrible.
Leave it to the poets to say the strong words. That is the cycle of history, is it not?Excellent!
Thank you, Jilly.
Sadly, this is part of a greater cycle that continues to spin out of control.
Yes, just when things seem like they can’t get any worse. . .
I was just reading the news about children being ripped apart from parents ~ The cycle of hate goes on and on ~
It does. It’s been one horror after another, but this is the worst.
I have not been able to find the words to address the horror going on right now. You express it well.
Thank you so much.
This is apt for the ‘1984’ time we’re going through. You nailed it with your words.
Did I not reply to this before? Thank you, Vivian!
🙂
I can’t get this news story out of my mind, and you’ve captured its essence. Who are these people, who can be so callous and inhumane? (K)
Thanks so much, Kerfe!
An awful thing…kids will learn of hate from their countrymen.😔
Yes, children learn from the people around them. It is all so awful and sad.
I just heard the recording of the little girl crying for her daddy and begging for someone to call her aunt so she can go to her aunt’s house. What has our country become? 😦
Someone mentioned your comment, and I was sure I replied, but I don’t see it (or replies to some other people). Yes, that recording was heart-breaking. I honestly could not listen to it. Every day there seems to be more horror.
I know. I’m frustrated! ☹️
I remember you mentioning Audra before and looking up her singing schedule!
I like both of those songs. They do have such deep meaning behind the lighter tone in the songs.
I’m so glad you referred to situations which are currently upsetting me, Merril. I was thinking about children and being separated from their parents in the immigration process.
The plight of these children was on the minds of many today. I like your imagining of exception, survivor(s) who step(s) forward with strength.
Thank you so much, Janice. Sorry for the delayed reply. I don’t know if I didn’t reply, or if WP swallowed some of them!
You have summed it up well… politics and another of the atrocities of being right!
dwight
Thank you, Dwight.
It is so awful what is happening right now.
I was interested to see that you got your inspiration form a musical medley, Merril, – I haven’t seen or listened to a musical in years. When I was little my favourites were Carousel and South Pacific. I love that there are sad stories beneath the Quadrille as well as a political message on the surface, especially:.
‘souls are sold
in heat or dank cold’
and
‘…some break free
to lead us
from insanity.’
Thank you very much, Kim. It is so awful what is happening here.
I love theater and musical theater. I grew up listening to albums of my parents, and then introduced our daughters to them–and they were in musicals in high school and college.
So topical – unfortunately
Yes, thank you, Derrick.
Your write is perfect. Clear understanding.
Thank you so much!
Thank you!
Sigh… such a poignant and timely write.
Thank you so much.
Yes, hearts ripped apart. You capture the times well, Merril. Maybe heart-ripping should be a word. The violence of the word seems to describe the situation better than heartbreaking.
Thank you, Robin. You are right about heart-ripping.
Oops, I came back to read your response to my reading this. Sometimes, I don’t always do this in a timely manner. I felt like I was in “good company” here with Colleen Chesbro and others.3
I don’t see my response or one to Colleen or some others that I’m sure I replied to. Must be the WP Gremlins!
❤ ❤
I love your strong words… I wonder what will happen to those children.
Thank you very much. I don’t know. They must be traumatized. Hopefully, some will be reunited with their parents, but even so, who knows?
I have a new sympathy for regular Germans of the Nazi era and others whose government has done atrocious things while they stand idly by. Because that is now who I am.
I think many of us are feeling powerless and bewildered–and at a loss of what to do. Thank you for reading.
Powerless, bewildered, and at a loss. All of that, exactly.
Yes.
❣️❤️❣️
Thank you! 🙂