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The Berlin Wall

Drenched in tears, I wrench in response to the pain I sense. Caused by wrong desirers, walls, guards, and the electric fence. Put here to stop free choice by man, To keep him from becoming all that he can. To hold imprisoned, crushing hopes and dreams. To inflict hurt and pain, I can hear the screams. Today, though they’ve been torn to their foundation, They, once again, become a free people nation. They now have hopes and dreams, both the young and old. Thanks to many that died and many that were bold. The challenges will be hard, but their hearts are filled, With a burning desire, their lives to rebuild.

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Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 2/25/2022 7:47:00 AM

what a timely poem! Here we are at a time when freedoms are challenged worldwide. People are rising up, unwilling to tolerate someone or something building a wall around their hopes, hopes that thrive in freedom.

Bill Baker
Date: 2/25/2022 8:01:00 AM

Thanks for the timely comments, Sara. Your awareness is expanding. Smiles ~ Blessings, Bill

Gary Radice

Date: 2/16/2022 2:26:00 AM

Ann and I visited Berlin a couple of years back. I don't think any short break we've ever taken was so sobering as those three days. Seeing the wall and reading the human stories left us so silent with our thoughts. It was built the year I was born and taken down not long after we married. Your poem has made me reflect. Great writing. Cheers - Gary

Bill Baker
Date: 2/16/2022 7:35:00 AM

Glad you can relate, and it brought back so thinks for you to reflect upon. Reflection on the past can be a great learning tool. Always good to have you visit and comment on my poetry, Gary. Have a great week! Bill

M. L. Kiser

Date: 2/15/2022 1:31:00 PM

The energy there could not have been comfortable, well crafted with depth of feeling for the victims of that era; the wall's ending was long overdue.

Bill Baker
Date: 2/16/2022 7:32:00 AM

Amen to that, M.L. Sometimes we humans fail in our humanity for others and things get way out of hand. No one should have power over a person's beliefs or their thoughts and speech. IMHO Thanks for commenting, M.L. Have a great week! Bill

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 2/14/2022 2:11:00 PM

I was horrified when I realized what the Berlin Wall meant - I remember feeling relieved when it was torn down. Thank you for the reminder.

Bill Baker
Date: 2/14/2022 5:34:00 PM

You're welcome. It's good to look back at history and learn from the mistakes of others, rather than having to learn everything from our own mistakes. Hugs, Bill

Gershon Wolf

Date: 2/13/2022 4:54:00 PM

I remember the night the wall went up, as well as Reagan's speech, and the night the Wall came down. Great reprise, Bill. Thanks for posting it. ~ Gershon

Bill Baker
Date: 2/13/2022 5:26:00 PM

You're welcome. Bill

Ronald D Thompson

Date: 2/10/2022 2:05:00 PM

Such a great poem Bill, so well written and such an iconic event. Excellent Sir!! Ron

Bill Baker
Date: 2/11/2022 2:11:00 PM

Thank you for your kind comments, Ron. I was thinking about the direction many countries are headed in right now, and thought I'd put a thought out there to remind some of where it may lead ... A mason / Dixon Wall, a Continental Divide Wall? Bill

Sotto Poet

Date: 2/10/2022 12:52:00 PM

Thank you for your fantastic poem, Bill. I recall the ruin in the region behind the wall. It was a historic event that ended communism and socialism. While much of the damage has been repaired and the city looks to be unified, Russia is now working to reestablish its dominion.

Bill Baker
Date: 2/11/2022 2:14:00 PM

Far too many in the U.S. seem to think that the way we should go. God help us, if we give those people any more leeway. Thanks for commenting, Lasaad. Bill

Joe Maverick

Date: 2/10/2022 11:16:00 AM

I said in 1985 the wall would come down fairly Soon Bill, I was so very surprised when it happened Though.' ( It seems so strange also to see the Erosion of freedom in Deutchland today ) Although There is no acknowledgement in Official media, I think this write Is relevant more To the 1990s/2019 rather than now..) that's My heartfelt and observed opinion, thanks for The recounting of your youthful friendship As well, untarnished memories there no doubt'

Bill Baker
Date: 2/11/2022 12:08:00 PM

Sad to say it, but I think you're right about my timing, Joe. Today it seems the whole world is struggling for survival. Too many power mongers, and too little power for the people. Thank you for your mindful and informative comments Joe. Bill

Karen Croft

Date: 2/10/2022 11:03:00 AM

Thank you for sharing this poem and the history of the Berlin wall!

Bill Baker
Date: 2/11/2022 12:05:00 PM

You're welcome my friend. Have a great day! Bill

Kenneth Cheney

Date: 2/10/2022 8:16:00 AM

During my first visit in Berlin there was still a stark and notable decay marking the city in the sections from behind the wall. Today much of the decay has been renovated and the city at least in appearance feels united. Thanks for the excellent poem Bill.

Bill Baker
Date: 2/10/2022 9:21:00 AM

Thanks for the comments updating the change after the wall went down, Kenneth. Have a great day! Bill

Joe Dimino

Date: 2/10/2022 5:28:00 AM

Well said, Bill; thoughtful and compassionate. And yet, now, while we applaud such victories, under the cover of night (really day now also) world Marxist are boldly moving to squelch freedom for all time. Always been proud of our military, but they need to protect us on the home-front before it is too late. Honest elections seem a thing of our past. Joe.

Bill Baker
Date: 2/10/2022 8:15:00 AM

I agree with you, Joe. It's looking more and more like words will not save us. Thanks for your mindful comments my friend. Bill

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 2/10/2022 12:01:00 AM

A great write and a great historic event you chose Bill, what a restoration of peace East Berlin finally got back, families were divided when at first this devastating wall went up. very well penned my friend. I have also written a poem about this sad yet finally joyful event in our living History. 'A flower for the future' Hugs blessings, Jennifer.

Bill Baker
Date: 2/10/2022 8:13:00 AM

Thank you for the comments and for mentioning your poem. Have a great week! Blessings, Bill

Harry Horsman

Date: 2/9/2022 11:59:00 PM

Love the highlight to the wall, Bill, how one human can encage another, still rife today i'm afraid, how so few, despots, can instigate such power, is beyond me. Keep writing the poetry, the pen is till mightier than.

Bill Baker
Date: 2/10/2022 8:12:00 AM

Thanks, Harr. I agree, the pen is mightier than the sword. A poet friend in Texas, Bill

Eve Roper

Date: 2/9/2022 10:29:00 PM

A tragic time for all that freedom was caroled like horse or cows. Not humans to those that built those bonds. Freedom bell rings to those that are free from the bonds of dictator. Well written verse with heartfelt feelings. Enjoyed reading

Bill Baker
Date: 2/10/2022 8:10:00 AM

Thank you for the comment, Eve. Ver thoughtful. Bill

Evelyn Judy Buehler

Date: 2/9/2022 5:09:00 PM

I recall hearing talk of the Berlin Wall in my childhood, and also my feelings of joy and relief when the wall finally came down. Your poem is eloquent and moving, Bill. Well done. Evelyn

Bill Baker
Date: 2/9/2022 5:16:00 PM

Thanks, Evelyn. I was very happy when it finally happened. Many people's prayers were answered. Blessings, Bill

Vijay Pandit

Date: 2/9/2022 4:10:00 PM

Yes, Bill--freedoms reigns there now and people are happy the wall came down. I have good memories of visiting Berlin after the fall of Berlin wall. Good theme you chose to honor.

Bill Baker
Date: 2/9/2022 5:17:00 PM

Thanks Vijay. My wife's family immigrated here from Germany. Bill

Debra L Brown

Date: 2/9/2022 4:08:00 PM

Hi Bill, I remember when that wall was torn down. The famous speech by Ronald Reagan given on June 12, 1987. "Tear Down This Wall," Reagen told Gorbachev. I enjoyed the poem and the remembrance of history. Blessings ~ Debra

Bill Baker
Date: 2/9/2022 5:17:00 PM

Thanks, Debra. Hugs, Bill

Constance La France

Date: 2/9/2022 3:55:00 PM

Bill, such a powerful write wonderfully penned, I can feel the tears and the hope ~ Constance

Bill Baker
Date: 2/9/2022 5:18:00 PM

Thank you for the comments, Constance. It was a great day in history, when that wall came down. Blessings, Bill