The final step has been performed
A bugle blast at dusk no war
Forgotten grave now groans in ground
The winner’s flag no longer found
A daughter’s tear silently warns
The final step has been performed
A suitcase hides in closet dark
One timer ticks just like a heart
Champagne is poured in glasses proud
A toast by blind men to a clown
The final step has been performed
The taste of ash to be ignored
Their claim of peace chirps like a lark
From limbs up high near Jardin Parc
A fresh baked tart has just been warmed
The final step has been performed
This is a FICTIONAL piece based Jeremiah 8:11,
“For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ When there is no peace.” I was watching the news and listening to this sales pitch on the progress of peace and I thought, ‘What peace?’ and remember reading this scripture once. NOTE: Remember I live in Canada before anyone thinks I’m making a political statement on USA government. I wrote a tongue in cheek poem before and got some very interesting comments. This is not political!
Anyway, we were challenged to write a Quatern, a French form of poetry by Gay R. Cannon on Form-For-All at dVerse Poets Pub, http://dversepoets.com/
So I had no clue what to write about, my muse was snoozing, so I just started working with this theme about peace. I was going to call it, “If Jason Bourne Wrote a Poem,” but there may have been some issues with using the name, so I came up with the lame title that now sits atop my lame attempt at a Quatern. Maybe I should write movie scripts, or not. HA.
Call me Hanq 
lame? beg pardon!
this is great work, love the second stanza, especially the last line. a brilliant quatern.
brilliant, eh. You can keep commenting 🙂 But thank you very much! Yours was outstanding!
Yes, Henry–where is the lameness. I LOVED this. My favorite stanza is the last one.
haha. i love your original title….bourne is awesome…the first stanza is really good and brings feeling…the daughter and suitcase one as well…each stanza is like a snap shot to me…all around your refrain…and interesting scripture as well to build on…
went by the trailer this evening (from my poem) but no one was around…
Thanks for the update, Brian. And thanks for your comment, as always, much appeciated.
I don’t think it’s lame; it’s a companion-piece to mine actually and I don’t even think you’ve read it. Oddly we have many poem tonight with this very theme. Check out Susan Daniels, and don’t forget to stop at Miriam’s either. Peace of the season and war seems to be engaging our collective subconscious. I’m always surprised when that happens on #OLN night and yet it often does. I liked this very very much Henry. I think it’s much better than my own.
Thank you for your comment, but having just read yours, mine falls way short of the elegance of your voice. I too though find it very interesting when poets minds gather near a particular topic. Thank you for hosting, and I always appreciate your input.
I’m honored that you say so, Henry.
Trust me, the honour is mine.
A fresh baked tart definitely caught my attention, you made me hungry ! nice write, sometimes the only peace we get is a piece of ……… !
This is such a strong piece, Henry. I really like the second stanza, too.
I sometimes forget you are Canadian too ~ Even if your muse is snoozing, you did a wonderful job on the form ~ I specially like the second stanza, its powerfully written ~
I had known you were not American, Henry; but did NOT know you were Canadian. A very fine quatern, Henry. And the meaning….yes, it rings so trur.
The first line of the last stanza: “Their claim of peace chirps like a lark”–that is very, very good, as is the whole work. I like it, even if you thought it lame. (We are often not the best judges of our own work!)
Sad, strong and clever
Fantastic Henry! That refrain is awesome. Lyrical and sets the mind to wondering…in regards to form…who am I to judge…still working on it 😉 but I dare say it’s perfect
ha the jason bourne title would’ve been really cool indeed…nevertheless love the poem henry…i wasn’t expecting anything else than a straight iambic pentameter one can sing and play to..and see..i’m not at all disappointed..interesting on the inspiration for the piece as well…
Well done. I too have noticed a similar theme to your writing as I read several others. Powerful and moving, Henry…not lame.
Hello Henry,
Might you be the same Henry that I met at Faithwriters many years ago? I think by your writing here that you are… and I’m happy to make your acquaintance again! I haven’t tried this Q yet… but might yet. Lesley-Anne Evans
Yes that is where I first started writing poetry. Nice to meet you again. You were on a short list of readers who seemed to like what I wrote. I like writing here and I would suggest you give it a try. I know I’ve always enjoyed your work.
Aw, it’s so interesting how our paths cross. I came here because of Kolembo, a talented poet who showed up at my Buddy Breathing blog and has been inspiring and kind to me. So, yes, I will consider this place, once New Year comes and my season of preparation is done. So good to find you here, Henry.
Henry, this was so very nice. I liked the way how you took the source, expanded it and made it your own through this lovely poem.
A theme after my own heart, Henry. Sadly, I doubt that peace will ever break out everywhere at the same time. I was just watching the news about Northern Ireland in which the troubles seem to be breaking out again over Belfast City Council taking down the British flag over the town hall in advance of Hilary Clinton’s visit. and now they’re making bombs again.
The quatern form has produced some amazing poems, and think possibly because the repeated line allows a point to be made strongly.
NUMBER 21
The cry for peace
may only ease
convenience.
Not conscience.
Sorry; that should be NUMBER 20.
Excellent work!
..i liked it… i really do… it sounded so tender and noble and yeah ,i think, very inspired.. i’m hooked up with your rhyming too… it falls so easily and effortless..another simply appealing Quatern at dverse… glad i read it…smiles…
Wouldn’t mind a warm tart right now.
Thanx for the explanation — I was able to re-read the poem and get much more out of it. Well done. Great phrases to capture much of the lies.