The Torch Extinguished

A Pantoum inspired by the amazing drawing by Kaja, granddaughter of Ralph McTell

By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred Published 5 months ago • 1 min read

"The Torch Extinguished" by Kaja, granddaughter of Ralph McTell

Introduction

This pantoum is inspired by the amazing drawing by Kaja, granddaughter of Ralph McTell. I have done several anti-war pantoums and think the form is perfect for what this image says.

I was talking to my granddaughter Kaja about the situation in America, contradicting the statement carved on the Statue of Liberty.

This is the drawing Kaja came up with showing Liberty’s despair with the ‘Torch of Enlightenment’ extinguished in the water of New York harbour.

I just wanted to share it with you.

Ralph

The song is "Jesus Wept" by Ralph McTell, which I think is appropriate

Inside the statue, a plaque added in 1903 is engraved with words from "The New Colossus", an 1883 poem by Emma Lazarus:

Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

The Torch Extinguished

🕯️🔥💔☮️🗽☮️💔🔥🕯️
In These Dark Days A New Evil Has Come
No Hope For Those Who From Opressors Flee
She Holds The Welcoming Torch Of Freedom
Liberty Lies Extinguished In The Sea
☮️🗽☮️
No Hope For Those Who From Opressors Flee
Freedom Destroyed By The Villains Called Ice
Liberty Lies Extinguished In The Sea
Constitution Murdered, A Bloody Price
☮️🗽☮️
Freedom Destroyed By The Villains Called ICE
Citizens Executed On The Streets
Constitution Murdered, A Bloody Price
Liberty's Defenders Will Not Retreat
☮️🗽☮️
Citizens Executed On The Streets
In These Dark Days A New Evil Has Come
Liberty's Defenders Will Not Retreat
She Holds The Welcoming Torch Of Freedom
🕯️🔥💔☮️🗽☮️💔🔥🕯️