Do you think they knew,
those great men?
That we’d speak their names
with such reverence?
Great painters,
writers,
philosophers,
scientists,
musicians
and even
I’ll admit
occasionally
a politician…
The names we know
from long ago
who have helped
make the world
what it is…
Do you think they knew
in their own times
their names
would be
taught to our kids?
What history tells us
today might not
be what it seemed
back then.
Winners
write the tales
of battles won
and the losers hardly ever
have their stories told years on.
The generals,
the admirals
or what about the wars?
In a few hundred years
from today,
which of them
will be remembered at all?
I find it deeply disturbing to think
that we might be chasing history’s lies
but no matter how
I twist and turn
I will never see
the world through their eyes.
Today, April 23, is the birthdate of quite a few extraordinary historic figures. According to tradition William Shakespeare was born on this day in 1564 and, yet another example, J. M. W. Turner – one of the greatest English painters (in my untrained opinion) was born on this day in 1775. For those of you – if any – who don’t know Turner, he is called The Painter of Light and you should go to Wikipedia and find out more!
I’ve been musing on this for a while now, not just because of Turner and Shakespeare, but for all sorts of reasons: How can we be sure that the people who are considered our contemporary ‘greats’ are the ones that will be remembered by future generations? Did Socrates know he’d be instantly recognized by name a few thousand years on? Did Julius Caesar? Will anyone know who Adolf Hitler was in a thousand years (not that he’s great that way, but he is a ‘household name’) and will they laugh at us calling two, after all, rather regional wars ‘World War’ I and II? These are my ponderings and I will offer them up as my NaPoWriMo 2012 scribble for today, as well as my entry to JP at Olive Garden Poetry Picnic Week 32 and Imaginary Garden With Real Toads Open Link Monday.
What’s in a name, when all is said and done…
An interesting philosophical discourse. I imagine how Socrates, Descartes, or any of the other great thinkers would respond!
It’s good to see free verse here! I think about those things sometimes, too… wonder what the history books will say about this time.
No, they didn’t know. But today, there are far too many voices chattering for any of them to make too much of a lasting impression.
What a fascinating piece! I’ve often wondered the same thing.
excellent questions…perhaps the “losers” had far more to teach, but their light has been shadowed.
Some great questions….Even I wonder what history will write of me in my small place in the world.
I like where this one took me.
Very cool ideas to ponder. It’s all about impressions. The historical figures, I think in most cases are either just doing what they think is best to do, or writing/doing for themselves, not quite worrying about their legacy. Politicians on the other hand, I won’t get into. Love the shift in the poem, that for me, coincided with the mention of politics. Great write. Thanks
Chasing histories lies….great concept wrapped within your words here. Thanks for sharing them with us.
history is what the people who write us want us to believe and that is by their agenda
wealth of laughter senryu
…occasionally a politician (ha ha)
I thank you for your poem and commentary. You put a lot of time into and made me think about it for quite a while. My son sent me a link of Turner a few months ago and I saved an image of “Scarlet Sunset” along with a few others. Yes, and you are correct, the winner writes history.
Chasing history’s lies…..I think that most of it is glorified in one way on another for sure, its kind of natural for us to build things up in our head. Great writing, very thought provoking.
CC – this is so good! So very good. I wonder the same things, often as well. Really appreciate this write.
Really enjoyed this! Felt like I was on a journey getting to know historical figures through the ages. This poem coupled with the picture above it made it seem even more real. Very well done. Be blessed.
http://elizena-lovingmycreator.blogspot.com/2012/04/sunlight-whispers.html