As Cruel as April
Grey Winter growls, Spring dreams of green
when flowers grow, and love birds preen.
Soon rabbits wake, the vixen prowls
then runs and hides, afraid she’s seen
the fearful beast, who’d foul with howls
spring dreams of green–grey Winter growls.
Now what comes next, before green spring
when sparrows fly, and robins sing?
Do wolves bare fangs? Do bears get vexed
by hopes or dreams, by what spring brings,
and seek with blood, destroy, annex
before green spring? Now what comes next?
Before spring comes, the bullets fly.
The people grieve, the winds just sigh
as they drift by soldiers and drums.
Power? Money? Who knows why
the bloodlust soars. The moon just hums–
the bullets fly, before spring comes.
For dVerse, a made-up form called the Sparrowlet. You can read about it here. The name of the form made me think of spring, and I wrote the first stanza yesterday. Then when I heard the news today, I wrote the last stanza. So then, I wrote the middle stanza to connect them. We are living in a very scary time, and so much disinformation is being spread constantly.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Beautifully done, Merril. I truly appreciate the fact you came back to add the last stanza. You made it flow. Such a horrible day it is for Ukraine.
Thank you very much, Dale. It is a very sad day.
It truly is. I can’t believe he really did it. Well, I can but you know what I mean.
I know exactly what you mean.
I knew you would.
😔
😔
I wrote mine after being immersed in the news all day… I love the juxtaposition between the two aspects.
Thank you very much, Björn.
Your third stanza is sterling, just perfection. So bold to push on for threes stanzas; nice work. Forests & war are faves out here tonight.
Thank you so much, Glenn. I truly appreciate your comment. Yes, Ukraine seems to be in our thoughts.
So appropriate to today’s news, Merril: beautifully and subtly done!
Thank you very much, Ingrid!
How lovely this is Merril – from the beautiful spring dream of green, to the sad last stanza of bullets and bloodlust. Such a dramatic change in tone and theme. You captured the perplexity and chaos of change in the second stanza. Well done with the form!
Thank you so much, Grace. I appreciate your kind words and close reading. Thank you very much for hosting.
Your poem is so chilling, it gave me goosebumps. I’ve saved it in my Poems for Troubled Times folder.
Thank you, Liz. I feel very honored.
You’re welcome, Merril.
Oh Merrill I could see the real meaning of your wonderful and important verse as I read your lines…magnificent and so important….I am just so lucky to know wonderful people like you at dverse…stunning poetry, really stunning..
Such a truly lovely comment, Ain. Thank you so much. I feel fortunate to know you and others at dVerse, too. 💙
It was interesting to see how you wrote it. The first stanza is so full of nature, the last so full of humanity.
Thank you, Sarah. That’s such an interesting observation–and true.
nice phrasing
love david benoit s waiting for spring
every april fr norman and i cite lines from the waste land. t s eliot
Thank you.
Chaucer and T.S Elliot’s April already forgotten.
Hardly, but thank you.😏
Powerful! Very ominous in that last stanza. Your title is perfect! Sad times.
Thank you so much, Tricia. Sad times, indeed. 😔
“Grey Winter growls, ”
“The moon just hums–”
You wowed me with those phrases
Much love…
Thank you so much, Gillena! 💙
No words. . . so sad for the Ukrainian people.
Yes, it is, Marian.
Great poem Merril! I repelled the urge to write anything influenced by that arrogant russian asshole. I like the way you resisted until the third verse… ✌🏼❤️
Thank you so much, Rob. I think hints in the other verses, too. 😏 It’s really all I could think about yesterday.
Fantastic spring poem!
Thank you.
It weighs heavy on all of us. Who knows why indeed. (K)
Thank you, Kerfe. Sigh.
It’s sad how little it takes to transform a simple pastoral poem into an anti-war poem. It’s present in our nature, a disease always ready to break out.
Yes, I suppose so.
So well crafted, Merril. With a perfect illustration
Thank you very much, Derrick!
I thought so, too, about the illustration.
You nailed the form perfectly while beautifully rendering the saga of current events.
Thank you very much, Ron!
Yes, we live in a scary, dangerous time, madness. You capture the feeling so clearly for me, and you master the form as well.
Thank you very much, Paul, and much appreciated/
Superb write, Merril, so poignant. Love this line: “the bloodlust soars. The moon just hums–”
❤
Thank you very much, Sunra! That means so much to me.
You’re most welcome ☀️
Of all the responses to this prompt I’ve read today, your is the most successful, not just in nailing what can be a difficult and arbitrary meter, but also in the use of a poetic trope–the weather or nature poem–to make a shocking turn on current events. Someone needs to publish this one, it’s brilliant.
Wow, Xan! Thank you so much. Your comment truly made my day.
It’s unlikely to be published, since most publications won’t take poems that have appeared on blogs, but thank you so much!
a twist I’ve been feeling all day Merril and you did an amazing job with this! 💖💖👏👏👏
Thank you very much, Cindy!💙
you”re so welcome 💖
This is a very effective use of the form. Your second stanza as a “bridge” works perfectly. If only the coming spring were the one concern these days.
Thank you very much, Ken. I’m pleased you thought the “bridge” stanza worked, and I agree with you wishing spring was on its way was our only concern.
You weave two worlds together so delicately but your message is very clear. Such sad times, my heart aches for all those suffering.
Thank you very much. This is a very sad time.
Wow… that’s so good Merril, the contrast between the images is so striking.
Thank you so much, Kate!
Guernica a perfect image to accompany your stunning poem – as we all recoil at Putin’s actions.
Thank you so much, and yes. . .sigh.
I was just unable to write to this topic, but it encourages me that so many have, especially in such strong and well-crafted verse as this. Your last stanza is especially heart-wringing.
Thank you very much. It is a difficult topic to write about.
It’s beautiful! 💕
The last part was sad though.. 😔
Thank you. Yes, the world is very sad right now.
Yes!!
….. unfortunately ………
Great prose, Merril!
Yes. . .thank you, Resa!
Splendid write
Thank you!
You are most welcome 💖