The Sachsenhausen Violinist

We could smell blood everywhere.
Sitting crouched against white,
Lifeless marble,
Our violins to our chins
As crusted black blood
Stuck, pleadingly,
To our music sheets.

We were to summon beauty in hell;

To compel the murderous to tears
And the dying back to life, but,
I could smell blood everywhere.
My heart gave out in a
Lurching throb.
My bow swam against the hair
And I, in mind, among the countless wasted.

This could happen anywhere.
And this happens everywhere.
Beauty in hell.
The fount of flowers in the black.
The smoldering sickness
Against sweet-lacquered intentions.
Blood is everywhere.
As we hunt blindly, stupidly,
For the grace of gauze.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2007

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
January 14, 2010 at 1:15 PM
quite an interesting read. I think it would help me more if I knew the title meaning. Anyway, good writing! andrea
Mason Avatar
January 12, 2010 at 12:13 PM
Powerful writing here, Matt ... love the "grace of gauze" ... smile ...
Austin Avatar
January 12, 2010 at 6:07 AM
I don't know the meaning of the title-word, but this reminds me of Simon Goldberg,Concertamster of the Berlin Philharmonic, who was in a concentration camp. To save his life he wrote the score to the Beethoven Violin Concerto from memory and it was performed for the Nazis by Goldberg and various other inmates. Congrats on the selection. Love, daver
Fraser Avatar
January 11, 2010 at 1:37 PM
Many congratulations on your well deserved poetry being featured this week Matt >> James
Brown Avatar
January 11, 2010 at 4:35 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved featured poetry this week Matt. Love, Carol
George   Avatar
January 11, 2010 at 1:28 AM
Wow! Matt, This gave me goose-bumps and made the hairs on the nape of my neck bristle. Incredible tribute to Bohumir Cervenka. Sensational writing. Thank you for sharing. Love, Lainie
Sheart Avatar
January 10, 2010 at 4:09 PM
Congrats on your amazing feature poem this week! Very well deserved as always. Truly enjoyed reading. Happy New Year! Love Light Patty
 Avatar
January 10, 2010 at 2:15 PM
The imagery conveys your thoughts in a vivid way. Congratulations on having your poem featured. Keep on writing! Wishing you continued success. Karen
Richards Avatar
January 10, 2010 at 1:06 PM
You are quite an amazing poet. Congratulations on this wonderful featured work! ~ Carrie
Fisher Avatar
January 10, 2010 at 12:13 PM
Matt - what an incredibly powerful piece. Many regards Janette
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