I generally write but somehow I just wanted to pen some poetry. And so, here it goes. A poem where I ask questions to a historical figure and having a conversation that will not let me leave in peace. So, here I present you, Questions I ponder.
Caesar. Einstein. Alexander.
Newton. Curie. Wilde.
Woolf. Dickens. Kennedy.
My brain wandered from
tragedy to tragedy
trying to pick someone
some “known” people
who somehow changed the world.
Buddha. Tesla. Twain.
But the chit from the
mad hatter’s hat, picked a name.
And sent chills down my frame.
Adolf Hitler.
Somehow all I could see was
red around me.
I do it all the times –
imagine sitting with people
from history and getting their views, their thoughts.
But today was different.
He was sitting there.
But I wasn’t.
I was staring at the images
moving all around us.
People being killed, stabbed or maimed.
“Does it bother you?” I dare to ask.
He raised his eyes and looked around.
“Should it?”
“People generally do.”
He was still looking around
when I asked the one question
that was screaming to shout.
“Was all this worth it?”
He stopped looking around and
just looked at me.
“I don’t know,” he finally said.
The words didn’t make sense…
they didn’t come from the
Nazi leader – Adolf Hitler.
Somehow they sounded much
like the little kid who wanted to paint again.
He looked at my puzzled face and asked,
“What were you expecting?”
“Certainly not uncertainty.”
The images kept on moving around us,
the silence being too loud.
“Why did you do what you did?”
“Because that was the only road I knew.”
“Did you ever want to stop?”
“My roads have one way ticket,
they are often filled with thorns, hunger and welts –
but that’s all I knew.”
“Do you wish you had stopped?”
“Wishing gets you no where.
I’d wish for my mother to be here-
but she is long gone.
I’d wish for peace but-
they look different to both of us.
I just wanted what I wanted.
It just happened with some killings on the way.”
“Would you do it again?” I ask
hopping to find two personalities like
Dr. Jekyll and Hyde.
He looked around,
the images still creating the movie around us.
He didn’t turn back to me.
He didn’t answer in words.
But he answered in every language he knew.
======
I think it took me an hour to figure out the historical figure I wanted to write about i.e. all throughout the celebration I was attending and around 10 minutes to actually sit and bleed words. While I generally prefer prose, I am quite happy with this slam poetry style, piece I wrote. So grateful for this.!
Blog Chatter Blog Hop details can be found here.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Bohemian Bibliophile.
(A Little about the Blogaberry Dazzle. This is hosted to help with consistency in blog posting. While I wanted to write a blog. My schedule didn’t allow me to write this week. Hoping to write for the following week.)
The winning entry for the previous prompt can be found here.
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This is an innovative way of talking to most historical figures where the answer is simple they didn’t have a choice. Just escape the situation.
A very thought-provoking writing Krina. I’m still thinking about that last line. A unique way to write on a prompt.
It’s thought provoking and beautifully crafted. I like how you chose a negative figure from the past and offered them a chance to redeem themselves but human nature is just so complex. Brilliantly done!
Very thoughtful of you to include Hitler. And maybe somethings that may have gone through his mind while doing the things he did.
So Krina I too participated in this prompt of Blogchatter but I must say even In mu wildest dream I cant think of talking to a historical character just the way you did in a poetic form. Its just mind boggling and I salute the creative soul in you. God Bless you dear.
What a creative bent of mind you have. I am sad at poetry, so I admire anyone who writes poems. Also, this seems like deja vu, quite recently I was listening to the podcast about Hitler on BBC Radio. You have captured that well.
I must confess I did not see it coming – Adolf Hitler! That was very creative. How he replied made sense to me and also reminded me to read his “Mein Kampf” which has been lying on my Kindle for years now.
I love the way you wanted to have a conversation to go on. This was one of the beautiful lines that I have read in recent times.
I love the way you wanted to have a conversation to go on. This was one of the beautiful lines that I have read in recent times…
Historical Events – No one can think in this way. Unique writing about the topic and your feelings. I am still thinking how can you write so beautifully on Adlof Hitler. Just awesome.
The way you engage in a conversation with Adolf Hitler, exploring his motivations and inner conflicts, is both haunting and enlightening. Thank you for sharing this deeply reflective and impactful poem.
Wow, your writing is truly thought-provoking. You’ve approached the prompt in a unique and captivating manner, sparking introspection and curiosity. It’s impressive how you look at things from a new angle and make the discussion deeper. Keep it up!
A very interesting piece of poetry. Very few humanize someone like Hitler and think about what made him the man he was. A lot to think about.
Loved your take. When I think, I too have many questions from historical figures be it jawaharlal Nehru or Aurangzeb, why they had done what they did…. you kept me thinking.
That’s an interesting take on the prompt. and very interesting questions you had chosen to ask.
Oh, my!
A very unique and thought-provoking take on the prompt, I must day. I especially loved the ending where there are no words and yet we know what the response is. Great work, Krina
P.S: You might like my take on the same prompt. Mr. Hitler makes an appearance in mine too. And also, it is a poem as well.
This is a manifestation of an IG reel in a poem. Gripping, short and instant. Well done.
interesting and thought provoking. unique take on the prompt.
Adolf Hitler-wow…what a character to talk about. I liked your inimitable style of penning this down.
A very interesting take and build a kind of chilling picture around me. Even the thought of talking to him, gives me the shivers.
Wow, your poem is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of history, morality, and the human psyche. It’s a testament to the power of poetry to engage with complex and challenging subjects in a way that is both evocative and profound. Well done!
Oh what a lovely day poem. I wouldn’t have known what to ask Adolf Hitler, but I’m sure that if we’ve asked most of them now about their actions in past, they wouldn’t have had a choice
This is a really interesting way to put up your thoughts! Count me as your newest fan who is in awe of your writing!
A unique and fun poem asking some pertinent questions on the prompt. I wonder sometimes, what if all the people you mentioned hadn’t done/discovered what they had, would we be still living as we are???
oh man! so interestingly done! This is completely believable, and to know that this is your imagination and creation! superb! really, i think you may have written his personality done pretty accurately – i can see how this would be an actual conversation!
Your questions were apt, His answers were blunt, exactly how it would have been if you had ever got a chance to meet him and question him. The poem written is a perfect way of expressing your thoughts and feelings in the form of conversation.
Really got something new or I can say different to read .. wonderful post
Very thought-provoking prompt, krina. The way you described each line, I started thinking in a new way. Great post for sure.
It took me a while to understand the poem. Very thought-provoking.
poetry is always like I believe no one can plan to write a marvellous piece of poetry but it comes naturally.
What a beautiful poem it is
Whether u call it random or slap poetry or whatever… I loved it! it’s unique and thought provoking. Like you, I too have my set of questions for prominent people of the past, but I don’t think I am as creative as you… I really liked the idea of how uv asked yours.
So is it safe to say ‘keep them coming’ krina? since u said u prefer prose?????
A very interesting poem and the figure you chose to write about was very interesting too!
Thank you so much.