Tussore-silk Thunderstorms Over Japan

Summary

The website content is a poetic tribute to the late Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, using an abhanga poem to express grief over his sudden passing.

Abstract

The web content presents a poignant abhanga poem that reflects on the day of Former PM Shinzo Abe's assassination, capturing the mood of the day as it transitioned from golden to morbid. The poem, titled "Tussore-silk Thunderstorms Over Japan," is accompanied by an evocative image of thunderstorm clouds resembling tussore-silk curtains, symbolizing the somber mood that enveloped Japan. The author, Selma Martin, chose the abhanga form, traditionally used in praise of the Hindu god Vitthal, to honor Abe's life and the abrupt end of his journey, paralleling the interruption of a perfect summer day by the tragic news.

Opinions

The author perceives the day of Abe's assassination as an interruption in the life of Japan, much like the weather change from a perfect summer day to a morbid atmosphere.
The use of tussore-silk curtains as a metaphor conveys a sense of elegance and respect for the former PM, while also illustrating the darkness and shock that befell the nation.
The choice of the abhanga poetic form is intentional and meaningful, symbolizing a continuous and flawless process, which the author feels was embodied by Abe's life and work.
The author expresses a personal sense of grief and loss, sharing in the collective mourning of Japan and the broader community affected by Abe's death.
The inclusion of the image by Jan Mallander serves to visually reinforce the emotional weight of the poem and the event it commemorates.

An abhanga poem grieving the fatal attack on Former PM Abe of Japan

Thunderstorm clouds that look like tussore-silk curtains over Japan today by Jan Mallander from Pixabay

Golden this early morn Pallid by afternoon Nacreous by twilight’s tune Morbid the news

Grieving a sad day for Japan with an abhanga poem. Abhanga is a form of devotional poetry sung in praise of the Hindu god Vitthal, also known as Vithoba. The word abhang stands for non- and bhang for ending or interrupting. In other words, a flawless, continuous process like in a poem.

I thought this form was perfect for the interruption in the life of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today. I felt that tussore-silk curtains blocked the sun from us on an otherwise perfect summer day. RIP Former PM Shinzo Abe.

Image: Thunderstorm clouds representing the tussore-silk curtains that shadowed our souls in Japan today by Jan Mallander from Pixabay THANKS FOR READING.

Poem for the interruption in the life of former PM Abe of Japan where tussore-silk curtains shadowed our souls

GRIEF|POETRY

Tussore-silk Thunderstorms Over Japan

An abhanga poem grieving the fatal attack on Former PM Abe of Japan