No Flowers - Revisited

orchidee



Adapted with permission from Arqois' poem 'No Flowers'

Tune: Melita

('Eternal Father, strong to save')

**********

Late on the night January frost

I watched my husband pay the cost

Final, they brought him wreaths and song

They crowned his rest, they called it strong

But I cannot forget the ground

Where no flowers bloom nor bells sound

 

Romanov children, stripped and slain

Bodies hid in Siberian rain

Graveless, cancelled, rubbed from unscrolled

Page, their name there they not enrolled

Yet their voices against the rage

Cry, not remembered on life's page

 

No cenotaph, nor marble stone

Unperturbed, unmarked, overgrown 

And I the widow dare not tell

My comrades of this though of Hell

What if the Faith they thought to kill

Still tolls its bell, relentless still

 

For one is celebrated, see

With banners unfurled, joy there be

Whild others are banished from this

World with no comforts and no bliss

Yet stars above, with hostile light

Judge both alike in endless night

 

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Comments +

Comments6

  • sorenbarrett

    Now this was a bit of a turn. A nonbiblical hymn Orchi and well done as well a fave

    • orchidee

      Thank you SB.

      • sorenbarrett

        Always welcome my friend

      • GenXer Shamrocker ☘️

        Well expressed write my friend!

        • orchidee

          Thank you GS.

        • arqios

          That’s a whole lot of 8’s there, O🙏🏻🕊️

          • orchidee

            Thank you A. Yes, sounds like someone playing bingo - or pool with the 8 ball. lol.

            • arqios

              These will figure in some hymn in the coming days! 🙏🏻🕊️

            • Friendship

              Well-written, my friend. Your poem explores themes of loss, memory, and the stark contrast between public celebration and private grief. It highlights the tragedy of those who are forgotten, especially in the context of historical events that lead to suffering and death, while others are celebrated and remembered.

              • orchidee

                Thank you F. I've only adjusted Arqois poem really, with his permission.

              • Tristan Robert Lange

                Great hymn-poem, Orchi! I was almost afraid to read, given the title. I thought a certain glugger (we all know who, by now) hijacked your account and published a plea for spinach! Whew! 😅 Spared....this time!

                • orchidee

                  Phew, thank you T! Now me next poem - or your next one - Spinach Revisited. lol.

                  • Tristan Robert Lange

                    LOL! Yes. It will be one character:







                    🤮








                    © 2025 O & T. Don't you dare steal our originality or P & O'T will be after you!

                  • Goldfinch60

                    Good one Orchi, the stars always show those who have passed.

                    Andy

                    • orchidee

                      Thank you Gold. More credit to Arqios really.



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