this epic novel
has been gracing my bookshelves
gathering dust for decades
when it is not used for propping up
a broken window in my study
there comes a time in a life
when one has to face up
to certain realities
it is unlikely that
i will ever dance
with gorgeous uniformed russians
named vronsky or alexei
it is unlikely that
i will ever attend a wedding
where the bridal waltz is shostakovitch
no one is ever going
to play the balalaika and sing to me
in russian
or fix the window
'War and Peace'
will probably sit on my shelves
unopened
for at least another decade
and the window ?
maybe in another life
Midweek Motif - Poets United
The waltzing is so graceful! I wish I could but I can't. Think: five legged camel.
ReplyDeleteCould fix your window though, so not entirely useless.
Sorry - no camel dancing permitted - must at least play balalaika :)
DeleteHe can play the fool...
DeleteA completely different take! I to think about reading it one day...
ReplyDeleteI skimmed War & Peace in high school but wasn't interested because it felt like it was such a famous classic that I had to like. Moreover, I was completely put off by the sheer size of the book !! But, after a trip to Russia in 2015, I finally finished the masterpiece and really did enjoy the read.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading your poem too, Rall.
That must have been an adventure. Now I feel guilty for not reading it. I can't read it in the summer months because it keeps the window open :)
DeleteI'm sure Tolstoy would appreciate the multiple uses for his book. I tried reading it but instead wound up reading more about Tolstoy and some of his essays. If one of my windows breaks, now I'll know what to do.
ReplyDeleteI like the romantic touch and gracefulness in this piece. A lovely response to the prompt!
ReplyDeleteI like your take on this. I must read this book!
ReplyDeleteThis is my new favorite of yours in both content and presentation, and the music is divine. I love paralleling the fate of entering romantic fateful scenes with fixing the window. We are passive creature at heart, but love beauty and irony.
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile..............especially the window.........
ReplyDeleteA wonderful write. Makes one wonder if one will ever waltz with a uniformed prince. It is possible. (don't shelve it)
ReplyDeleteOh when you realise that you don't get this Russian romance nor a fixed window than only hope is left for a next life. Nice one
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of writing like this is that the reader is absorbed into the scene and sees the book propping the window or recalls seeing the movie of War and Peace and how it affected them. This is a brilliant piece of writing which deserves the greatest applause Rall.
ReplyDeleteI read it in very abridged form and in Bengali translation so long ago that I don't remember anything. The immensity of its format is intimidating. Nice ironic take on the prompt :)
ReplyDeleteI was hoping someone would mention the book in their poem. Nice take on the prompt Rall. Your poem waltzed into my heart
ReplyDeleteMuch love...
You always make me smile
ReplyDeleteSpeaking as a 5-legged camel, I do so admire a pretty waltz ...and a thoughtful poem!
ReplyDeletehow authentic you are in voicing your honesty. but, ah, we can dream of these little fairy tales details!
ReplyDelete