avatarMonoreena Acharjee Majumdar

Summary

The website content presents a reflective poem titled "That Place Needs Formaldehyde," which contemplates the paradox of spring's arrival amidst the devastation of war, along with acknowledgments of contributors to the poetry initiative "Poemorama" by Paper Poetry.

Abstract

The poem "That Place Needs Formaldehyde" by an unnamed author, featured on the Paper Poetry platform, uses free verse to explore the grim reality of war. It juxtaposes the beauty of spring with the horrors of conflict, painting a vivid picture of a landscape marred by violence and loss. The canvas of war is depicted through a series of poignant images: trenches filled with stillness, the smell of death lingering in the air, and the haunting presence of a devil's smile. The poem delves into the human cost of war, describing roofless homes, tear-dried eyes searching for peace, and the burden of hope amidst carnage. It concludes with a somber reflection on the cyclical nature of life and death, suggesting that even death may one day learn to coexist with life, free of fear. The piece is part of the Poemorama series, which encourages poets to respond to prompts, and the website also includes references to other works by contributing poets, expressing gratitude to the Paper Poetry team for fostering a community of poetry enthusiasts.

Opinions

  • The poem conveys a strong anti-war sentiment, highlighting the stark contrast between the renewal of spring and the destruction of war.
  • The author seems to critique the futility of conflict, suggesting that war leads to a cycle of death that benefits no one.
  • There is a sense of despair and exhaustion from the endless cycle of violence, as well as a yearning for a time when death and life might peacefully coexist.
  • The imagery used in the poem is evocative and unsettling, effectively bringing the reader into the grim reality of war-torn landscapes and shattered lives.
  • The acknowledgments express a sense of community and mutual support among the poets and organizers of Poemorama, indicating a shared passion for poetic expression and the power of words to convey deep emotional truths.

POEMORAMA AT PAPER POETRY

That Place Needs Formaldehyde

A Free Verse on War for Poemonama Prompt I

Peace, Painting by Monoreena

Spring has come But it stinks.

Stillness rowed in trenches, Fallen lives strewn by the aisles, Till eyes survey, static moves, The roads smell like war,

The painter strokes a brush of red, Canvas of mayhem, death of dreams and wish, A devil’s smile, taking centre stage — You cannot miss, what’s amiss!

Homes roofless, ladder to the sky Eyes tear-dried, look for respite, Beats of massacre congest the empty, Screaming silence echo from roads trite,

Marching to life, smelling end near, End will sure fall on mortals bare, Lines on palm sit firm and clear, Life losing life, not an option here,

Hope bearing weight of meat, Fatigued legs tracing path anew, New land, new ways inscribed, Fate the driver stands in queue,

Where night will bloom like dawn, Mind-portico shed the silent tears, Maybe, one day, death will learn to live like life — Free of all its ghastly fears,

It is not winter, it is spring It is winter even in spring, Spring ushering guns ’n’ roses — Only roses borrowing hues Cadavers bring,

That place needs formaldehyde, Spring has come, And it stinks.

(Poemorama Prompt I: Free Verse)

Some interesting musings from the Poemorama stable:

Priyanka Srivastava

Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她)

Amanda Laughtland

Thank you Team Paper Poetry Carolyn Hastings Suntonu Bhadra Indubala Kachhawa for making poetry writing a festival of sorts!

Thank you everyone for stopping by and engaging. You are much appreciated.

Poetry
Poemorama
Free Verse
Ukraine
Art
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