Once
upon a time I didn’t believe I’d live past thirty.
It seemed so
ancient, and besides, my anti-Vietnam war
protest and pro-truth
work were dangerous, as shootings and more
and more violent
arrests by authorities attested.
But war in
Vietnam ended and I lived past thirty.
By then, I had married,
divorced, degreed, and focused my life in
directing theatre. I left innocence in the dust of time.
Once upon a time there was theatre—imagist, realistic,
and absurd imitative art—that let me keep distance from
characters’ ideals and errors in life’s tragicomedies.
I wanted audiences to cheer and hiss while loving good
guys and bad and in-between. I wanted audiences
to see themselves and laugh, to see in themselves and ponder truths
just as we did in rehearsal, just as we do in our lives.
Now, at more
than twice thirty years old, I find trees are drama
enough—crossing realms
of reality, myth, and story—speaking
to complex simplicities
of calm acceptance amid storms
that rage
world-round, daily, endlessly. I ask can innocence
answer yes.
It’s the fierceness of youth working to
extend life;
it’s the
hope that grows and expands beloved community.
My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.
© 2023 Susan L. Chast
can innocence / exist after knowledge of cruelty and complicity? - how naturally you answer yes, and cheer youth that tries to extend its time... it is true that the world around us can leave us jaded and despairing, I feel it more these days as I keep writing of war and the climate crisis, but to keep hope and faith and innocence alive is a blessing we must strive for.
ReplyDeleteI love your question and answer at the end. Thank heaven innocence and hope still exist and am grateful that it expands beloved community.
ReplyDelete"I left innocence in the dust of time" -- Yes, we all did, I think. But there was more -- and still is more. It must have been wonderful being involved in theater and playing for the audience, and discovering one's own truths. I do wonder if innocence can exist after knowledge of cruelty and complicity. At this moment I question if it is possible. But we do have to hope, or we have nothing.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day it is rewarding when we find innocence, hope and "the fierceness of youth working to extend life". "I find trees are drama
ReplyDeleteenough—crossing realms of reality, myth, and story—speaking
to complex simplicities of calm acceptance amid storms
that rage world-round, daily, endlessly. " My favorite lines.
Every generation has a war. Ours was the Vietnam War. Now trees might be drama enough!
ReplyDelete‘Once upon a time’ makes it seem like a bedtime story, Susan, and that’s is just how the past seems to me too. We have done and achieved so much, but where has it all gone? I love the phrase ‘I left innocence in the dust of time’. And I identify with these lines:
ReplyDelete‘…I ask can innocence
exist after knowledge of cruelty and complicity? And
answer yes. It’s the fierceness of youth working to extend life;
it’s the hope that grows and expands beloved community.’
Susan,
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to look back from time to time and review life's journey, so far.
The many experiences and interactions between working life, people met and places explored.
It's quite a varied schedule, with plenty of room for a few more dreams and the unexpected as well....
Yes I agree...innocence can exist Sounds as if you are in a good place Susan.
ReplyDeleteAhh how wonderful .. to answer in the affirmative ...can innocence exist... It is a good and hopeful world in which you live Susan... Thank you for sharing your vision!
ReplyDelete