06 May 2025

History in concrete

 

source


No one would use the word beauty for the ruins
of the Berlin Wall, the concrete portion
of the Iron Curtain, a piece of which I keep
in my China cabinet.  The USSR built it to be
efficient and cruel, with no thought
of art or sculptural quality.  In this, it
presages both Israel's West Bank barrier and
the partial southern border wall of the USA.
 
My tiny piece is almost two inches thick with blue
paint on one side.  When it rests in my hand, I see
the red blood of military might necessary to
separate people who need to be free.  I see
wallpeckers opening holes in the barrier for  
new border crossings.  I imagine someone wielding
a hammer to reclaim freedom, to be part of the peaceful
revolution that took down the entire Iron Curtain.


 For Sumana's link "Ruin / Ruins" at What's Going On? 


My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.
© 2025 Susan L. Chast


11 comments:

  1. Sumana Roy5/07/2025 12:36 AM

    "When it rests in my hand, I see
    the red blood of military might necessary to
    separate people who need to be free."....This is an absolute truth. So true. Military might, when used in abusing a civilization should be crushed to dust. It's also a shelter for the sufferers who have been enduring long oppressions by abusive civilizations.

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  2. Mary5/07/2025 8:41 AM

    I love picturing the peaceful revolution that finally took down the Berlin Wall, which was built with military might to separate / contain people. I had not thought about the parallels between the Berlin Wall and our southern border, but the comparison is chilling. I also own a piece of the Berlin Wall, given to me by my long-time German friend! A powerfuil write, which had me thinking.

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  3. Rajani5/07/2025 9:10 AM

    Very interesting parallels, Susan. Makes me wonder about how people have always had to fight for freedom over the centuries...and how it seems to continue in so many ways. That's just sad. A power poem!!!

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  4. Sherry Blue Sky5/07/2025 11:13 AM

    I love that you wrote about this. That was a day I never thought I would see in my lifetime. It was amazing - hope and freedom, after so much darkness. It can happen again. Hopefully soon.

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  5. Kim M. Russell5/07/2025 12:56 PM

    I was there in 1973, when the wall was still impenetrable and guards in towers aimed guns at us as we got close. We crossed through Checkpoint Charlie to visit family. I’m so glad it’s in ruins. I like the way you see the past through your piece in the second stanza, Susan.

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  6. Jae Rose5/08/2025 1:08 AM

    I like the contrast between outside and inside - may your walls always be strong and colourful - Jae

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  7. rallentanda5/08/2025 10:42 AM

    I remember the fall of the wall wishing I were there for that amazing occasion. I am glad that you have a little piece of it.

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  8. Jennifer Wagner5/08/2025 3:23 PM

    Wow, what a time in history that was when the Berlin Wall was torn down, and you brought it all back with your powerful poem. I have a piece of the wall, too, given to me by my ex.

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  9. Anonymous5/09/2025 3:37 AM

    What a wonderful insight into walls and their coming down. I still remember the TV News when the people climbed on top of the Berlin wall and pulled it down. How amazing to have a piece of it. I hope that the walls being built down suffer the same fate as the Berlin wall.

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  10. Intelliblog5/09/2025 9:36 AM

    The small piece of the wall that you have in your possession, Susan, is not only a memory of man's inhumanity to man, but is also a symbol of the hope that what separating and isolating walls have been built can be demolished and their small broken pieces used to build bridges that will unite people. Good to read you poetry again!

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  11. purplepeninportland.com5/14/2025 8:55 PM

    The piece you hold comes alive in your words. Thank you for this poem, Susan.

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