Sunday, November 15, 2009

Poetry Train Monday - 127 - Letter to Mother


I'm deep in the midst of the writing marathon known as NaNoWriMo. I can't possibly write any poetry for the remainder of this month, not even found poetry, because that too requires a calm, clear focus to hear what the found words are saying to me.

So I'll share with you some lyrics I really like from mad genius Eugene Hutz, the songwriter for Gogol Bordello.

Yesterday I tappity-tapped a record-breaking (for me) 4000 words into my NaNo first draft novel. So Eugene, give me a hand here.














Photo by Pavla Fleischer


Letter to Mother


The noise in this joint is unearthly
And soon I awkwardly say,
'Oh look, there it is, my whole life in the ashtray
I can go back to her that way.'

Cause in blue darkness of the night
She keeps imagining one thing:
Someone stuck his Finnish knife
Under my heart

I know that even though she doesn't show it
She grieves sorely for her son
And often walks out to the road
In her old fashioned coat

And in blue darkness of the night
She keeps imagining one thing:
Someone stuck his Finnish knife
Under my heart

I know she's there grieving sorely for me
I know she's there turning grey for me
When I come back she'll forgive me
So motherly, motherly, motherly


- Eugene Hutz, 1999



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8 comments:

Unknown said...

Haunting poem, Julia. Made me sad

Julia Phillips Smith said...

Anne - I read the lyrics before I heard the song, and I was surprised that it wasn't a slower, sadder song.

Sasidharan Cheruvattath said...

very touching poem and the music sharpened my feelings.Thank you so much.

Akelamalu said...

Very touching words Julia, thanks for sharing.

Linda Jacobs said...

Thanks for the link to the song. It is haunting!

Sepiru Chris said...

Great lyrics; good lyrics usually comprise lovely poems. Or screeds. It depends on the genre, no?

Thanks for sharing and good luck with your nanowrimo.

gautami tripathy said...

Touched by it, Julia!

ship-wreck

Toni said...

The bio for Gogol Bordello is quite interesting. Love the gypsy quality of the music, even though the lyrics lead me to believe I would be hearing a sad melodious piece.
Blessings,
~Toni~