SONGS OF LIBERATION

SONGS OF LIBERATION

There are other liberations of course,

And not all of them fruitful. This second side

Remains bitter, as domestic violence amps up.

Its volume deafens and roars through the silent

Screams of its victims, who unliberated now suffer

Through the torture and storm of trapped cups.

This is a direct counterpoint across the world

To Bella Ciao as its singing across the Italian

Squares, for elsewhere, circles shatter as plates

And families bare the bruise that comes all

Too soon or too late for the face to heal

Beside spirits that are spiked while still rising

For the good and the ill of the news.

But always liberation contains the history

It has suffered. In Italy the song of those

Paddy field working women said ‘Goodbye

To Beauty,’ just as a face will do once its struck.

From the poor women of Mondina in the North,

Echoing the slave’s dark blue roots in the

American South, came this music;

A Nineteenth Century Chorus that was later used

To forge luck. The World War Two Resistance

Partisans harmonised behind the discord

Of the Nazis, just as each one of the hundred

Cases in London reported yesterday should

Now do. Corona has made us all slaves, shackled

To the demands of our kitchens, as we seek food

While frustration renders tender skin black and blue.

With less cars on the road we can pretend we hear

Europe, as an entire nation gives voice to

These workers call for return.

‘For while the boss holds his cane.. And our backs

 are curved..there is torment.. But we will once again work

 for freedom..’  a sentiment suited to what only a truly

Liberated soul gets to earn. Bella Ciao is a Socialist

Song and one which naturally stems from survival.

There is a cane we’re all under and a harmful hand

That falls near. Belonging to either our husband,

Or wife, Significant other, or parent, child, even,

Twisted by this sudden war at home, shock and fear.

For we seem to be fighting again while never

Leaving our houses, leasing the dual sides

Of people when pushed or placed under strain.

We bite the hand as it hits the needs of the face

Made to feel it, and do not see in so doing

That the cries of love and pain stay the same.

We are the one song; each of us notes as they

Echo from those antique Italian regions

To the Council Estates rendered gaols.

Rise and resist. Turn the other cheek.

Set mouths singing. Bid goodbye to what’s ugly

And find the beauty within. We won’t fail.

Not if trying is all. Thought is still one thing

That you don’t need to order or approach

With a mask: hear the call. And so, Italy unifies,

As streets in London diminish.

Stroke the screen if you have to.

Slaves to the rhythm

That can make hearts dance.

Never fall.

David Erdos April 25^th 2020

For more poems from David Erdos visit The Corona Diaries collection 

David Erdos is an actor, writer, director with over 300 professional credits. He is a published poet, playwright, essayist and illustrator. He has lectured on all disciplines in theatre and film for leading performing arts colleges, schools and universities around the world. His books include EASY VERSES FOR DIFFICULT TIMES, THE SCAR ON THE CLOUD, OIL ON SILVER, NEWS FROM MARS, CHANGING PLACES WITH LIGHT (penniless press) and BYZANTIUM with the photographer Max Reeves. He is a contributing editor for The International Times and maker of documentaries all over the world. David’s work has been acclaimed by many leading figures including Harold Pinter, Heathcote Williams, Alan Moore, Andrew Kotting, Chris Petit and Iain Sinclair in whose recent book THE LAST LONDON, David features. He can be reached at David.erdos@sky.com.

David Erdos

©    David Erdos has asserted his moral rights as author of his work and has full copyright.