Tags
claudia schoenfeld, online poetry, poetry, what we cross when we cross borders, yeah i'd love to have a cup of tea with you
Last week I was in Berlin. I walked through the Brandenburger Tor– once– twice– breathless, climbed up the spiral stairs to the top of the Siegessäule, drank tea with a korean monk and Cappuccino at Starbucks.
I watched an army of police motor bikes and cars escort an important Statesman in a big, black limousine and stood bewitched in front of Dali’s Alice in Wonderland paintings.
By the end of the day, I didn’t feel my feet anymore but every single pore in me screamed happiness. And why?
Because I saw beyond my own borders, my view got stretched and I experienced things I never experienced before.
Because a few years back, there was a wall dividing Berlin and there was no way of getting to the other side– now there is.
We humans tend to build walls, we mark our own borders and we decide if it’s safe to let someone in or cross them ourselves.
Did someone leave a comment once on your post that you didn’t like or that hurt you? Have you stopped visiting people that write in a style you don’t like or about topics you don’t like?
Do they have a view on the world that you don’t like? Maybe too religious or not religious enough? Too open or not open enough? Too progressive or not progressive enough?
When that monk invited me for tea, I hesitated for a second, then took off my boots, sat down and we talked, about Korea, about Berlin, about walls and life and green tea. And it was a wonderful experience.
So for tonight, I invite you to cross the borders, meet someone new, take off your boots and share a cup of tea– let yourself sink into the stream– it really is worth it–
If you are new here, let me tell you how it works:
- Write a poem and post it to your webpage.
- Click on the Mr. Linky button below and enter your name and direct url/web address to your poem
- There you will also find the list of those participating this week. You might want to refresh this occasionally or check back in as there are people joining over the next 33 hours.
- Read other poets that have linked. Let them know what you thought, how the poem moved you, what you think of their style, what caught your attention.
- Encourage others to participate through social media, promote your own piece and others.
- Have fun. Have fun. Have fun. Really.. don’t forget to have fun…smiles
here we go…happy OLN everyone… looking forward to meeting you out on the trail…
Ready to travel! 🙂
woohooo
Thanks for hosting, Claudia. I will be around to read a bit later. Happy Open Link to all!
Pamela
Mistakenly I added to links, sorry.
*two* yikes!
deleted the sunday whirl link for you..
Great advice, Claudia. I know I tend to hunker down into my hermit-dom, and sometimes it is good to break out of our own patterns. Happy Open Link Night!
you know…every once and a while i need a hermit-dom as well…smiles
Crossing borders is a good thing to do. To experience something of life through another person’s eyes is great too – abd that’s one of may things that poetry offers us the chance to do.
At my place some folks are having fun trying to guess what my poem is about 🙂 I’ll reveal the answer here when Claudia sends the keys for the pub to Scotland for Form For All.
hehe…big smiles…
looking forward to your time behind the bar sir…
and will try to play by the rules…smiles.
Ha – I shall enjoy watching you try to do that, Brian 😀
For those puzzling over the answer to my poem/riddle (I honestly didn’t intend to write a puzzle poem) the answer is bricks. Sabio Lantz has explained exactly why in his comment at my blog 🙂
Hi, everyone … I have stomach flu today but made use of an image that appeared in a dream/vision as I tossed and fretted last night.
oh hope you feel better soon…
Thank you! I’m thinking/hoping it’s a 24-hour deal.
oy mine last 5 days…i hope yours is much less….
Claudia,
Very nice post. For the last 6 years I have a new friend who was raised in East German. She and I talk a lot and I have learned much from her perspective. I’ve only been to West Germany but over the last year, I’ve watched several movies not only about the East but about other minorities in Germany.
I love stretching my encounters — even when I disagree. But your post helped me to think of visiting some more folks this time.
Cool post — sounded like a cool view and fun talk on Korea.
smiles..yes..always good to stretch ourselves a bit beyond the borders…
Wow! My the prelude to my poem today actually talks about the walls we build–not us as poets, but as people in general. I must be what they call sidekick, eh?
In any case, good to be here, and I’m looking forward to the usual outstanding offering of poetic brilliance that lights this place up every week.
very cool charles..on my way over to read…
Happy Tuesday! That sounds like a wonderful adventure! Thanks for all you do.
happy tuesday madeleine!
Claudia, you know those boots worried me : because I always have trouble to pull mine off 🙂
Maybe the monk helped?
But you are right. It is so easy to stay in a groove.
smiles..you know when i had to take them off at the security check at the airport, i had a hole in my right sock…smiles
Ha. I bet they found that terribly suspicious 🙂
Is that what they do these days, make people take their footwear off?
Sniffy business.
Thanks for hosting Claudia. This is a lovely and provoking-in-a-good-way intro to the week, too. Mostly I look forward to being taken out of my comfort zone, and I know I can always count on a few people here to do that for me. Cheers!
smiles…yeah it’s good to be taken out of our comfort zone every once and a while…cheers emily
What a wonderful world of poetry and sanctuary here…tonight as I go and grieve my taxes…I will take out an old shoe box, I have, with pieces of glass and mortar from checkpoint charlie and think about my aimless wanders as a solo voyager in Germany in the mid 1980’s, who knows, another poem might arrive…what an immeasurable perspective I have gained in conversations from the other sides of things…thank you for being here and brightest blessings to those that read and share…Edward
wow.. i would love to hear about your wanders..
I do love green tea, and since I gave up Diet Coke (and anything with artificial sweetner) for Lent, it’s a daily thing for me. I agree we tend to build walls especially when it comes to our writing b/c it’s so personal to us. I had one chew me out, saying what I wrote wasn’t poetry b/c it didn’t rhyme. Obviously he didn’t know me very well, but I’ve been reluctant to visit him since.
i hear you..it’s not easy to do away with these walls then… i usually drink fennel tea.. have one right next to me now as well…smiles
Good point. I used to be bagged in hate filled verse by a certain poet totally obsessed with me for years who unfortunately has recently started coming on to this site and up to her old tricks again. I deliberately do not read her but stupidly did today…which was a mistake. Sometimes walls with a few cannons in place are a necessity:) Some poets are evil.
ugh…sad to hear this Rall…
pretty cool…had to be a pretty cool conversation with that monk…and def cool to see those historical borders go down…happy OLN everyone….
see you out on the trail…
it was…and it was the first time that i liked green tea…smiles
Perfect post Claudia, how nice to be here, again.
smiles…greetings to norway… and beware of the vampires…smiles
So much can happen over coffee (or tea) indeed!
Always a pleasure being here, Claudia..
just coming from your place kavita…beautiful…the connection between music and lyrics…
Claudia, I love how you challenge us to break down those walls that keep us from stretching our boundaries. Thought-provoking. You are such a blessing.
aawwww….you’re such a blessing as well victoria..
I do intend to do at least 10 I’ve never visited before as well as my usual ten. :0)
Thanks for hosting Claudia. That was a great intro! I love that you included reading people’s blogs even if you don’t like their style, etc. Thanks for the challenge. We don’t have to travel the world to see another side of things, we need only to be willing to keep experiencing them. 🙂
so true…we can travel far by just clicking us through a universe of poetry…way cool..
true that rachel…the willingness is def key…smiles.
Thanks to Claudia for hosting tonight. Here’s my contribution to this evenings event. It’s very bleak I’m afraid. http://bit.ly/GBdjLk
still a bit of light towards the close though…smiles
ah but very poignant and makes one thing…what draws us back from such an edge?
Blessings all xoxo
hey, good to see you poppy
poppy!
I have put the kettle on …
here’s to a steamy cup of good tea…smiles
always nice to hear about your travels, and with the added commentary, and about a city i know little of, the prompt was a treat, thanks claudia 😉
smiles..good to see you…just coming from your place.. have a great time, visiting your mom
thanks so much claudia, such an interesting comment about the wheel you saw traveling! 😉
Need any help serving coffee, Claudia?
that would be much appreciated…smiles
ok poets..it’s getting late over here and i had a beast of a long office day.. have fun out on the trail and see you tomorrow…smiles
sleep well claudia…smiles.
schlaf gut, liebe Claudia 🙂
Great story Claudia! While reading I was reminded of my travels in the Mediterranean, it’s been many years since but still some of the most vivid memories I have! I must admit that I am guilty of doing those things you’ve mentioned, although I try very hard not to do them. I look forward to meeting some people and breaking down a few walls tonight though!
nice…did you happen to write about your travels there?
good to see you back, smiles.
Good to be back thanks! I have in an indirect way, usually about a feeling they evoked or something I experienced but never anything in a straightforward article like this, just poetry. I have written some opinion pieces but I just might try and write about my travels now that you mention it!
we humans, as you say, are good at building walls, not so good at tearing them down… but there comes a time…
there def comes a time…smiles.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time in Berlin. I think we all have a better time when we’re open to difference. And here at Dverse, there’s nothing but diversity. I love it. Thanks for hosting Claudia.
Happy open link night all. I just posted my very first poem here. Very exciting! I really liked your theme on opening up to things we are not comfortable or use to. Taking risks is what makes life wonderful. Thanks Claudia 🙂
woot…great to have you linda…smiles…
Loved the article, Claudia. I’m glad you’re hosting tonight. I’ll get my short verse posted in a few. I’m still reworking an old theme with this one. Look forward to reading what the others brought. Cheers.
Good night.
sweet! prop&ganda is all about taking that chance/ finding a new voice/ connecting to an old one.
great to have you here…and def enjoyed your piece
awesome / thx
Well I’m late to the party once more. Let it be known that I’m well and truly up for a million jäger bombs tonight!! Happy reading
oh my….jager bombs….my stomach is roiling a bit at the memories….
Such a sweet article, Claudia. I’ve been a bit pressed, so don’t know what I’ll get up, but I enjoyed your article. k.
OK folks – it’s late here in Scotland, so I’ll say “Adios,” and catch you on the trail in the morning. Goodnight all
g’night tony….
I love the idea of poetry, tea, doctors, teachers, children, people without borders…you have a talent for making the most of those opportunities…thanks again for sharing Berlin and for all your input here at dverse Claudia.
What an excellent post, Claudia! I do try to check out new people each time, and can find unexpected treasures that way, but cannot miss out on my old favourites if time is short! Luckily one can come back here again and again. 🙂
Hi all-happy open link night. I am a newbie here and am so excited to meet all of you. Stop on over to my stoop and say hi and I’ll do the same. So glad I found a great poet community.
nice…stopped in…and welcome to dverse…smiles.
Claudia,
Do you have any close East German friends – can you feel a cultural difference?
i do have and there is one big difference… they had a shortage of resources over there and they had to team up to survive in fact.. so i think they’re much better with teamwork than we who grew up in the west
Fascinating — thanx.
Nice joining you all tonight!
Claudia, I really would like to see Berlin some day. I have enjoyed everything you have said about the city. Neat that you had a conversation with the Korean monk; and it is true we need to break down barriers and also expand ourselves. If we leave our comfort zone sometime, we can be enriched 100 fold. Thank you for hosting the pub tonight!
Happy OLN, Claudia…did a repost tonight of an important issue I take seriously. Thanks for hostessing!
Gayle
Hey Claudia– great sentiment in the opening 🙂 I’m trying like crazy to post, but my SLOW internet won’t cooperate with the WP interface. I may need to try again tomorrow ~peace, Jason
Posted! Whew, that only took like 4 HOURS.
fixed your link…ugh…hate those computer/internet issues…if you ever have trouble posting just drop me an email and i will take care of it for you…
Couldn’t add in the link, so adding it here 🙂
http://www.thepoetrywagon.blogspot.in/2013/03/dancing-away-shape-poetry.html
put your link in
alright…off to bed myself now….be back in the morning to see what the overnights bring….have a good eve all…
sleep well bri
Sleep tight, Brian. I composed my poem for your challenge with Gretchen, and isn’t she something? She’s becoming a friend/second daughter, as Riley is an Aspie too and also open about it. Gretchen will be a force to be reckoned with (with which to be reckoned, for all you anal retentive language experts) in years to come! I used her “song” inspiration but didn’t post in time. I was about 22 hours late, ha ha ha. AMy
oh wow..very cool about the connection with gretchen and your daughter
good morning..back and out on the trail once i have my cup of coffee..smiles
ok have to run to work… will be back to read more in the evening..have a wonderful wednesday everyone..
running around work, home and a three yr old! so tagging an old post of mine..in line with Claudia’s thoughts on how we build walls around ourselves. Not sure, how soon, i ll be able to catch up with others..have a HUGE backlog,,,but hope to be back soon, reading…:)
smiles…enjoy your time with your three year old…they grow up way too fast…smiles
nice to simply sit back and read these past few days, starting to feel the verse flowing in my veins once more, hopefully I’ll begin connecting lines soon once again, but until then, love all that is shared. As always, great OLN.
Side note: Mary, sorry about the repeating comments, have NO idea why it posted three times, wouldn’t let me comment this little note either.
woohooo fred’s in the house
How much I agree that we should break down the walls we build between ourselves – would love for the poetry community to become more of a community…so I try and add a bit about me to as many posts as possible and would love it if more of us did the same. How good it would be if we all became virtual (email?) friends and shared our similarities and celebrated our differences.
(WordPress reply ‘gadget’ hasn’t worked for a while – so I will not know if you respond to this. Must remember to keep coming back to check!)
Kind regards
Anna :o]
i hear you….best thing i can offer you is be the community…or be the change you are looking for…and find others that have a like mind…build it small and you will see it…
Ahhhh, the poetry.
kenny….good to see you
Nice post, Claudia! I am excited about reading some new folks!
very cool..go for it heidi
Wow! Look at you, Pub crawlers! So, so many inspiring each other here that it is like a waterfall. Claudia, this essay is best yet. I am posting the only poem I wrote this week, so you may have already read it, but I looked for hours for my poem questing whether or not I need a wall. Someday I’ll have a better system for finding things. Meanwhile, Apple Pie!
apple pie..? ha…smiles
apple pie!!!! ha…oh my goodness….smiles
Morning Claudia! Well, I made a post of pics and a few words about Vegas, a recent trip. My pics contain abstract views, etc. I don’t have a poem, but I did have some very interesting conversations, out to some nice dinners with world travelers. My eyes were opened and not in a nice way. The world is more cruel than I want to believe and that saddens me. However places like this bring warmth and kindness. Let me know if I should post it as I don’t want to interfere with poems. 🙂
i think both works…poetry and prose… so.. maybe give it a try..?
thanks for that great memory Claudia…I was there with my niece who lives there in the autumn and was blown away by the buzz in the city. It is a broadening experience!!!
it’s an awesome city, isn’t it… already planning to go back…ugh…smiles
hey good evening…made it back to the pub and out on the trail in a minute…
Oh, Carla, what a great post on boundaries and borders! I love it when a writer uses a strong sense of place to make the point.
It’s nearly 5am here and my brain got switched on by the idea of the Brandenburg Gate as a symbol for boundaries.
It’s been about ten years since I visited Berlin, and I, too, was awed by the Brandenburg Gate. It hasn’t been a city gate in centuries, but in our lifetime it was itself gated by another wall, low and angry. The air has always been the same on either side, and now we can walk through and back freely, proving it. It’s burned into my memory, the iconic backdrop of the television news coverage of the wall coming down, the will of the people expressed.
My middle-aged brain had to Google/Wiki to recall who is on top of the gate driving the horses:
Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory. It is ironic how the sculpture captures constant motion, but never moves in reality, as the world around it changes dramatically through centuries. Is she standing her ground or moving with us? Did she declare victory when the wall came down? She looks triumphant as always.
Immediately North of the gate stands the Reichstag building. Did you get to see it? The German parliament building was renovated at the time of reunification, topped with an enormous glass dome. I stood and stared, snapped some photos, and read in my well-worn travel guide how the dome represents transparency of government, a new Berlin, open for all to see. I didn’t get to go inside for the 360 degree city views, but . . . talk about tearing down boundaries!
Thanks for igniting a little mini-vacation in my brain. I hope I can hold onto this energy to write tomorrow by deadline. Either way, I’ll be reading for sure. For now, though, back to bed.
Doh!
😀
Well, on second look, I wont be weiting after all! I missed the deadline by 5 hours already! I’m a whole day off thanks to three consecutive days stuck in a dental chair.
Oh well, I still loved reading the prompt, and I am going to read & comment over the next few days anyway. I’m eager to see what work your post inspired.
three says in the dental chair…oh my….that does not sound fun at all…..