For Paul Brookes Special January-February Ekphrastic Challenge January 7- February 6. This is for February 3, and my poem is inspired by the three works below.
–Kerfe Roig, “Winter Forest” 
-Marcel Herms “We Are Little Children Of The Sea Kleurets” 
–Kerfe Roig, “What grows here”
Wishes in the Snow
We ran from the soldiers, out into the snow,
into the birch forest, there by the trees,
where blood bloomed like flowers, red in the snow—
and I wondered if we’d be caught first–or freeze.
We ran from the soldiers, out into the snow–
Manya whispered stories of when women were fish,
and as the cold wind continued to blow,
she told of sea-blue wonders and a come-true wish
of times and people long ago—
before the snow.
We ran from the soldiers, out into the snow,
and I wished for roses, sunshine, birds, sheep,
but we were here, and where would we go?
Where would we find food, a warm place to sleep?
We ran from the soldiers, out into the snow,
and I dreamed of butterflies, apples, the song
of thrush and soft owl hoots, the way a river flows
in spring, and fish swim in it all along
the way to the sea,
where maybe we could be—
but we’ve run so far, out into the snow,
now Manya says, “Look, there’s a house ahead,”
inside, no people, only gifts bestowed–
a sea-scene painted, a rose, and a loaf of bread.
I’m also linking this to dVerse, where Björn asked us to write about war. It’s another work in progress. I have a story in my head about these people in this poem, but I want to leave it open to interpretation.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
For me, the chilling moment of the present recalling pleasant memories leading to a hopeful future. Well done, Merril.
Thank you, Frank.
The repetition is so story-like, a family history perhaps. I love your word choice too, and the unexpected combination of roses, apples, butterflies and snow.
Thank you! ❤️
Reblogged this on The Wombwell Rainbow.
Thank you, Paul.
I look forward to more of the story !
Thank you. This may be it, but who knows? 😀
What an emotive story! I am pleased they found a place of sanctuary, and hope the story ends well for them.
Thank you so much, Ingrid!
I enjoyed this one, Merril!
Thank you, Jill!
Oh my aching heart this is evocative. Especially moved by; “We ran from the soldiers, out into the snow, and I wished for roses, sunshine, birds, sheep, but we were here, and where would we go?” 💝💝
Aww–thank you so muc, Sanaa!
The repetition of the running visual, morphing into different, very moving conclusions is so strong! Excellent writing Merril.
Thank you so much, Rob!
Exquisite writing ,,,, looking forward to more.
Thank you very much, Helen.
Oh Merril! This is …. I want a better word, but I have poignant right now. Yet, it’s so much better than that. It’s heart, it’s history and it’s figuratively now.
I’m so impressed.
I saw images of the war of 1828, but I was never there.
Thank you so very much, Resa. I so appreciate your kind words!
I wonder why your mind went to the war of 1828? Interesting.
In my mind, it was WWII.
UCH… I meant the War of 1812.
Even though you were thinking WWII, does 1812 make more sense? Red Coats, Blue Coats…
NO WAR makes any sense at all. Yet, WWII makes total sense & WWI makes sense, in context to your writing.
There’s no right or wrong. It’s just I was thinking WWII and eastern Europe. As you say, it can apply to any war–my intention–and yes, no war makes sense.
Understood!
This is such excellent storytelling, and in terror, the repetitions work especially well… I can feel the ache of cold feet in this.
Thank you very much. “The ache of cold feet”–I like that.
Their prayers were answered, as they found this place against all odds. I’m looking at it from the perspective of if they are telling the story they survived it. Suspense turning into relief and so well done, Merril.
Thank you so much, Lisa!
You’re welcome.
I do love a good narrative poem! I particuarly appreciate how this one combines the hard (cold!) reality of fleeing from soliders in the forest with an element of (warm!) otherworldliness.
Thank you so much, Liz. I don’t think I can write anything without a story in my head, even though I sometimes pare it down for a poem. 😀
I think in stories, too. 😀
Great (creative) minds! 😀
It has the feeling of a fairy tale…but any war tale must feel unreal. The repetition is very effective. (K)
Thank you very much, Kerfe.
Your final explanatory paragraph helped me understand why your thoughts had gone this way. The poem stands as a powerful image even without the picture prompts
Thank you, Derrick. Actually my thoughts went this way from the art, and I wrote the poem–then it also worked for Björn’s prompt. I’m glad the poem works without the art.
The poem is art 🙂
Awwwww! 😘
pristine white snow….blood (red)….roses (red)….apple (red). The repetition of “We ran from the soldiers…far out into the snow” takes me deeper and deeper into the poem…into the escape…and the haven we find at the end with the repetition of the images just takes my breath away. A beautiful write.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment and close reading, Lillian! 💙
Maybe I’m weird/wrong, but this scene threw me to the Jews who had to escape the Nazis in the winter, running in the snow, freezing, looking for safe shelter.
There’s no right or wrong, and I want the poem open to interpretation, but that is what I was imagining. Thank you, Pam. 😀
Yes, thank you!
wow… really beautiful
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Oh Merril- I love this.
Thank you so much, Linda!
The repetition seemed to hurry you along to find sanctuary. Love all the words you chose for this excellent piece of writing.
Thank you very much. I’m pleased you enjoyed it!
Pingback: Whispers and Wishes (Part 3) – Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings
I’m reading these for the first time, in succession. I must say, with the current political climate in Europe, it could have been written today.
Thank you, Ken. I was thinking that, too. Thank you for going back to these earlier poems.
I had to come back here to catch up as somehow I originally missed these!
Off to number 2…
I was running with them!
Thank you so much for taking the time to go back to this. 💙
I wanted to ages ago and well… better late than never! 🧡
I appreciate it! 😊