hear, here

Cherry

By Di_Hard

Fri, 10 Jun 2022
  • 616 reads
10 comments
 

 

his voice, to his people, once, was a bear's

called Paddington, in a fun children's film

before all the children fled abroad. Now

 

as  Paddington chats in another voice

a different language, with a distant Queen

the day after her country's aeroplanes

flew by with coloured smoke to celebrate

70 years of peaceful reign, he pleads

for some means to defend against airstrikes

by a Bear whose ruthless jaws spit lies, jeer

 

at a comedian whose country depends

on him playing a part he does not want

giving strength in fear-hollowed silences

to bear tomorrow's exploding horrors

 

and when sun climbs above bombs on his land

he can't rest, must bare his soul to those

where weather, sport, updates on traffic jams

are news, reminding of his country's loss

but possibility of winning too

his words like seeds that might take root, become

support, bear fruit, give what he asks for: Peace

 

 

 

 

Certificate U
Poem

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I was a bit slow realising that Zelensky voiced Paddington in the Ukrainian version of the film. I wasn't sure whether
jeers at an an actor whose country depends on a part he does not want,

is referring to Zelensky or Putin. The bit before has mentioned the Russian Bear, and I assume the 'actor' is Zelensky, but the bit following certainly seems to be continuing about Zelensky.

Early on I remember seeing placards saying that if Russia stops fighting, the war will end, but if Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine will end.

Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Thankyou for reading, Rhiannon. And for your thoughts. The anguish in voices from people of Ukraine, Syria, all the places being torn apart, I wish I could do something to help. What you say about those placards, is much clearer and to the point :0)

 

Submitted by marandina on

Made me think of that film of the Queen meeting Padington at Buckingham Palace. Yes, still difficult times in Ukraine and beyond. It's causing abject misery far and wide due to many things including the grain embargo. We continue to hope that right prevails and everyone finally sees sense. Well said, DI. Paul

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Thankyou for reading, Paul, it is kind of you :0) Yes, it was about the Jubilee. I haven't seen it, but heard on the radio. The contrast of us having enough planes to do stunts and their begging for anything, trying to crowd fund for a plane, was stark

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Di

 

That is very profound, and making the news of the last weeks more meaningful.

Jean Day

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Thankyou so much for reading and commenting, Jean, when you have your own battles. I hope you are feeling ok today, and able to stay cool this week. I really appreciate your comments which are always so kind, thankyou :0)

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Clumsy, cute good hearted great for young and old. I've watched both the movies I bought the second one, are there more? And I've got a little book “the knickerbocker rainbow” a beautiful little story hopefully there are more such stories. I have another lovely book on bears too, a Bear's-eye view of Lakeland, hopefully I get a chance to go again.

Good poem but horrific wake-up call & Nolan

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

I loved those films, too :0) I was lucky to see the first one in a cinema, I have never heard so many children laughing, it was a wonderful experience! There are two fulllength, as you say. However, it was recently the UK Queen's platinum jubilee, and as part of the celebration weekend, a short film was made where Paddington visits the Queen in Buckingham palace and they have tea together. I haven't seen it but lots of people have said it was the highlight of the whole thing. It is bound to be on Youtube?

Long ago, Paddington was a series on the BBC, very gentle and apart from Paddington himself, who was a model, made from still shots of drawings to tell the story, so not as exciting as the films. There were lots of episodes and it had a lovely soft theme tune. I just looked on youtube, they are there under Paddington Original. It looks like they have made a cartoon version, now also. 

Nolan, Have you come across the Clangers? The original Oliver Postgate ones? They are  BRILLIANT!

 

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Great to meet another bear's fan! Do you know if there is a Paddington-Bear Brown Pen-pal Club? Do you have the record “Teddybear's Picnic” I was small say three or so very small had only the one record played it over and over hundreds of times.

Talk about young of heart, keep well Di! Nolan &

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Teddybear's Picnic, we did have a record with that on, yes :0)