Get Your Premium Membership

On a November Afternoon

Grant me a peaceful afternoon with hums alighting on nodding blooms, butterfly wings and a soothing lullaby whispered by washing hanging on a line. Let life be settled by a calm with pleasant talk and camomile tea and overhead, the soundless drift of clouds across a placid sky and leaves weaved in patterns to print a cooling shade upon a table set with scones, cream and raspberry jam, and above all, birdsong sweet enough to camouflage the sound of screams and falling bombs.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2023




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 11/6/2023 6:22:00 PM
Some afternoon! I join you in this peaceful prayerlike poem, Paul. "lullaby whispered by washing hanging on a line" is my favorite line in this oneL)
Login to Reply
Turner Avatar
Daniel Turner
Date: 11/8/2023 5:14:00 AM
I understand that. War is big business and the world is overpopulated. It's all about money. In Isreal people are killing each other because someone worships a different God. How asinine is that? Humans killing humans, thats what we do. It's disgusting, so I focus on your pleasant afternoon:)
Willason Avatar
Paul Willason
Date: 11/8/2023 4:35:00 AM
Many thanks Daniel...so good to hear from you. Fear that the prayer like incantation masks a disturbing reality. Regards, Paul
Date: 11/6/2023 4:05:00 PM
a powerful poem/prayer...let life be settled by.../those words resonated with me. I appreciate your honesty and strength at the end wanting the birdsong to camouflage the sound of screams and falling bombs. I have a difficult time with what's transpiring globally right now. Anyway, I digress...nice job, Sara
Login to Reply
Willason Avatar
Paul Willason
Date: 11/8/2023 4:26:00 AM
Thanks Sara for positive comments. The speaker in the poem not so much me but more the voice of modern society. Poses the question I guess, where is the line between self focus and concern for others drawn. Compassion is surely needed to address the tendency to be overwhelmed and removed.
Date: 11/6/2023 10:30:00 AM
How calm the setting you've described that would soothe the wildest beast, Paul. Until reality hits and we're reminded that carrion feast on the spoils of war... droning out sweet birdsongs in a world where so many things are wrong. Written with your usual talent for telling it like it is.
Login to Reply
Willason Avatar
Paul Willason
Date: 11/8/2023 4:13:00 AM
Enjoying the good fortune of living under peaceful circumstances whilst others suffer terribly challenges our humanity and begs the question of what moral response is appropriate. The starting point is of course compassion and emotional empathy. Always troubles me. Appreciate your thouhtful comments Lin.
Date: 11/6/2023 8:48:00 AM
we would all wish for such an afternoon, Paul
Login to Reply
Willason Avatar
Paul Willason
Date: 11/8/2023 3:56:00 AM
Indeed, although the real world enters through a crack in conscience. Thanks John .
Date: 11/6/2023 5:56:00 AM
Hard hitting Paul, a powerful poem with its lulling tone and stark last line. It's not just now but this going through life singing lalala has been the case for such a long time. I'm terrible for it but I don't think I could bear the reality of the things going on. Even looking closely at myself to think whether I should do more about things I could possibly affect rather than pretending all is fine or someone else's job. Excellent poem to make you think
Login to Reply
Willason Avatar
Paul Willason
Date: 11/7/2023 9:35:00 PM
Always a challenge...enjoying the benefits of living in a comfortable environment while there is so much suffering elsewhere...compassion seems never enough. I guess the point of this poem is that we should not let comfort drown out genuine concern for others...we should let ourselves feel the burden of humanity,

Book: Reflection on the Important Things