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Poetry Friday: Thoughts about History and Timelines

History is a timeline of events,
each event a dot
too small to express the millions of experiences

of a given
day
week
month
year

of a given
war
earthquake
flood
famine
drought
tragedy

Each dot on a timeline is a period,
a pause that says
“Stop! This is something you should know about.”

The timeline pulls us inexorably forward,
the dots behind us growing smaller as we look back over our shoulders.

Some merge with the line,
too small to stop anyone in their tracks anymore,
the stories around that dot lost to time.

But some dots are not diminished with time.
Some dots will always make us pause
to remember.

©2021, Elisabeth Norton, all rights reserved

Our Poetry Friday host is Tricia over at The Miss Rumphious Effect. Hop over to her blog for all of today's poetic inspiration.
I'd also like to highlight a wonderful poem 9/11/02 or One Year Later, written by my friend Jennifer in honor of some of the first responders to 9/11. 

Comments

  1. KatApel - katswhiskers.wordpress.comSeptember 10, 2021 at 12:36 PM

    Interesting analogy, Elisabeth. I especially love the "Stop! This is something you should know about." A reflective poem for a reflective weekend.

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  2. Janice ScullySeptember 10, 2021 at 5:10 PM

    What an interesting take on present moments and history at this dot in history. 9-11 is one of those dots that will make us stop for a long time. But I think of those moments that fade that are still important for us to remember.

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    Replies
    1. ElisabethSeptember 16, 2021 at 10:42 AM

      I agree Janice. One of the things I love as a reader and writer is discovering the stories represented by the smaller dots in history.

      Delete
  3. Linda MitchellSeptember 10, 2021 at 10:27 PM

    Some dots, yes. Some dots are more compelling than others. What an observation set in beautiful language. Beautifully written.

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  4. Linda BSeptember 11, 2021 at 1:08 AM

    Wow! This is an analogy I "also" will remember. Terrific, Elisabeth!

    ReplyDelete
  5. JoneSeptember 11, 2021 at 1:35 AM

    I like how you used the concept of dots on the line and how some make us stop for a longer time. A perfect pome for today.

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    Replies
    1. ElisabethSeptember 16, 2021 at 10:57 AM

      Thanks Jone. I was thinking about 9.11 as well as other significant events such as the recent earthquake in Haiti, and how we attempt to process them.

      Delete
  6. Denise KrebsSeptember 11, 2021 at 8:11 AM

    Elisabeth, what a poignant take on history. I was thinking about some people in our world, historians through and through, who dare to keep all the dots visible and in our memory. They are important. I'm realizing more and more the truth of George Santayana's words, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Your poem conjures up many important thoughts. Brava.

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    Replies
    1. ElisabethSeptember 16, 2021 at 10:58 AM

      I love that quote, Denise. I'm a fan of historians and writers and all the storytellers who keep those stories alive for future generations. They are important because it seems that we (humanity) are not embracing the lessons those stories can teach us about ourselves and our world.

      Delete
  7. Mary LeeSeptember 12, 2021 at 12:35 PM

    "Each dot on a timeline is a period,"

    If only we could stop time so that we can properly examine each dot in the context of all the dots that came before but without the ever-flowing dots that accumulate even as we try to look and understand...

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    Replies
    1. ElisabethSeptember 16, 2021 at 10:59 AM

      I agree Mary Lee! I think that's why I love immersing myself in history through books, films, museum visits, etc. Each immersion feels like a pause to really look at what that dot can teach me.

      Delete
  8. Carol VarsalonaSeptember 12, 2021 at 2:51 PM

    Elizabeth, I love the ending of your poem: But some dots are not diminished with time.
    Some dots will always make us pause
    to remember.
    There is such truth in that statement.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Catherine FlynnSeptember 12, 2021 at 4:56 PM

    I love that you acknowledge that, for all the dots that don't become "diminished with time," the stories behind many of the dots on history's timeline are lost. Well done!

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    Replies
    1. ElisabethSeptember 16, 2021 at 11:02 AM

      Thanks Catherine. I think recognizing that the timeline is a series of dots, all merging, is an act of acknowledging the value of the personal experiences they represent.

      Delete
  10. RuthSeptember 12, 2021 at 7:34 PM

    You're right: some dots will always make us pause.

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  11. Susan T.September 12, 2021 at 7:36 PM

    You beautifully incorporated two word towers in your poem. It's such a thoughtful reminder without ever directly mentioning its subject, or at least what I assume is its subject.

    ReplyDelete
  12. ElisabethSeptember 16, 2021 at 11:04 AM

    I hadn't even realized that until you pointed it out Susan, but now that you have, it makes me want to play with how the poem is laid out on the "page" to possibly strengthen that image. Thank you for your comments (you're right, that this was written with 9/11 in mind).

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  13. Karen Edmisten September 16, 2021 at 3:04 PM


    Ah, the things a dot can hold! I love this view of the dots on a timeline, signals to stop and pay attention, learn more, ponder.

    ReplyDelete

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