Dreams of the Cossacks
Dreams of the Cossacks
All has become quiet in Moscow -
every voice worthy of being heard
has been silenced.
First it was the journalists,
whose insistence on facts
ran counter
to the plans of men
laid long ago.
Next it was the poets
who sold truth
disguised as entertainments.
People who think for themselves
are harder to rule.
Politburo and Parliament
are but pawns
with the belief
that they are kings.
If only the dreams of the Cossacks
still rang in the ears
of the Russian people,
the world would know peace.
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This poem was prompted by the first line - ‘All has become quiet in Moscow.’– Count L. N. Tolstoy, The Cossacks - Sampson Low, Morton, Searle & Rivington, 1878
I was put up to no good by the literate folks over at DVerse.
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Absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeletePowerful write!
ReplyDeletePowerful message
ReplyDeleteMuch💜love
Yes... this first line is really apt for writing poetry. Your poem reminds me of the quote
ReplyDeleteFirst they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
by Martin Niemöller.