Spanish Wedding Song

Rejoice: This isn't your song?????? Not quite sure how to take this. I mean a cynical reading could mean, Aren't you happy you're not them. You speak of Miguel as a friend, so I find it hard to believe you are being cynical. Most likely this is in reference to the tenth line of this poem.
As to a divided Spain, Barcelona and Catalonia have historically been autonomous. I searched your verse for a reference to this from your introduction and found nothing I could pinpoint to this.

nine month dash...sure enough to be glad it ain't my song! Could it be that your friend has seen the light of self determination...this, from the dame of hazard.

John, your poem is a Feature in Wednesday Writing Essentials.

Your poem is Featured in the Triple Name Club.

John,

I hope you will not be troubled by my comment, I thought I'd be "honest" about why it is both true that I have very many times read your articles here, and yet also true that I very rarely comment on them.

I fear discussing it would be rather . . . difficult, here.

I leave the matter in your capable hands, my friend.

Sorry William and Liz,

I just didn´t know how much is common knowledge about the growing church/state crisis in Spain on the other side of the pond. This does definitely add a ¨backdrop¨to the poem, even though it was my hope that the poem would be read apart from this political panorama.

This neat little "La Bomba," with its tight trimeter shifting to tetrameter (with attending snappy end-rhyme, Carmen-barman) is best understood just as the title suggests, and therefore should be recited with bounce and flair and with not a little musical sardonic lilt in the voice. But don't let a little levity and wit fool you into complacency. This poem has enough teeth in it to fill a piranha's mouth! In fact, I can hear/see Walter chirping away at the party, over there by the fountain with his four-piece mariachi (he's the one on trumpet) and as the music clears, out pops these exhortatory words of caution: "Say adios to sor Carmen," a reference to organized religion and paired with barman, not the greatest of compliments… bid the newlyweds adieu (I'm seeing Wedding Crashers…!) and strap in for the nine month dash (I take to be the waiting period before the November elections in US which will, once again, change the world—or not!). "Smile while they're still drunk," not far from a literal reference to the obfuscating persona in the general fight to be dubbed master of ceremonies for "the greatest nation on earth," (or not)… but hey, ho! No worries, and the truth be told, "this is not your song!" Spanish Wedding Song is well-built in its sing-song short meter, a difficult task to carry out, but Walter pulls it off, as usual. Now who will write the refrain?

oh... and "false tears," John, might that be our own HRC?

Jan, my friend Miguel did see the light enough to leave his position in Opus Dei, though because his family is an extremely wealthy, ultraist one and he is by different lights both highly logical and rationalistic and also deeply religious and ferventlydevoted to the ´idea´of the Papacy (he loved the previous Pope, John Paul, very much, and said prayers to his spirit to heal me during my cancer treatment) he has remained in the organization, and being in Opus Dei means having as many children as possible, since they spread ¨the plan of life.¨
The back story here to the back story I just provided for puzzled American readers is that Opus Dei is the private prelature to the Papacy. (Since this was all brought up in THE DA VINCI CODE ad nauseum, I didn´t want to belabor the point when I first posted the poem, but since people didn´t get my irony here I decided to also put in the explanation of the current historical circumstances.) In Europe the Spanish election--and the church trying to push Spain back to the moral code of its triumphant period under the dictator Franco from 1936--75, is getting major play on the front pages of European newspapers. Partially this is because Spain has swung in the last century like a pendulum, from the extreme left (the Republic that lost the civil war to the Loyalists) to the extreme right (Franco´s dictatorsip) with the period of ¨La Transición¨representing a breather (1975-2004), and now Zapatero has been carrying through reforms the leftists have wanted for years, including digging up the unmarked graves of the victims of the Civil War, normalizing immigration (mostly from Africa), trying to negotiate with ETA, giving more power to the autonomic regions (not just to Catalunia and the Basque Country, as Mr. Dotani insightfully pointed out, but the others as well) and finally the aforementioned change in gay marriage laws and religious education. This has triggered a sharp counter-reaction from the right, who fear that the country is changing to fast, is going to be populated by foreigners, is losing its moral fibre, has lost its Catholic heritage, etc. etc.

Thank you so very much, Kathryn.

John, I really don´t know what to make of your remark, other than that it is open too many multiple readings for your taste, like other poems I´ve written, or simply that you don´t find my poetry to your liking. In either case, I appreciate your tact for not giving me a public thrashing, my friend. But please do write me a private email and clarify, I am curious about where I come up short for you as a poet. I am open to constructive feedback--always. I workshop every play of mine with many colleagues and usually go through at least 6-8 drafts before they are staged.

Edward, you go the back story very well, as well as the ´read between the lines´tone and intent. Clearly this is not a shot at my dear friend Miguel, but rather a larger social comment at the context of this wedding and the life that their as-yet-to-be-conceived child will face when he grows up in the post-industrial Spain that has forgotten Franco just enough that it can relive the horror in a new way.
Americans may not realize how horrific the Spanish Civil War really was as a prelude to World War II: It was the first war where modern planes dropped bombs on civilian populations, and whole populations of regions (in effect, there are many ´naciones´held together by the Spanish republican monarchy) displaced and whole towns where every single person was shot and killed for being either Loyalist or Republican (though the triumphant Fascist troops killed far more Republicans.) More than a million people died in this three year war, including Spain´s greatest poet and playwright, Granada´s own Federico Garcia Lorca.)

I appreciate the background you've provided-- it certainly adds to the depth and resonance of the piece-- but it seems to me that the poem stands on its own, certainly on a visceral level. Something is wrong here; these nuptials are celebrated in the face of something politely left unsaid, something that thins the smiles. It's clear from the fountain's windblown spray characterized as "false tears," from the odd juxtaposition of nuns and barmen, from the joy that must be drunken, from the sound of other people's songs, that this is a deeply equivocal event for your speaker. Even without an awareness of the circumstances-- which I didn't have on the first read-- I'm impressed by the odd double movement of happiness for the newlyweds and happiness that one isn't a part of their world.

The skittering surface resounded loudly for me.....the tears and fears and changes and hopes all testing merit at the same time.....the distancing of not owning the song allows the reader to imagine not being apart of the tenacious and tenuous anticipations and as yet unresolved births of child and government.....but there is too much tension that exudes to rest comfortably with any element and the poem remains
twitching inside me along with the future of the world as we all wait for change and new resolutions in our own country's political theater as well as Spain's fractured writhing in their corrresponding upheaval. This is a BIG year for so much. The poem worked for me without any explanation and its discomfort and anticipation withiin the 9 month pre-birthing transition pulses with the unknown translation of choices into eal life birthings that will change absolutely everything in ways unpredicatable as yet.

I see two sides of a coin here, John. A blissful wedding that will change a couple's life forever, and a sad observer of the joyful event who remarks his sad, ominous belief to others. One side embodies hope, one side fear. The good news in fear is that it usually portends action to prevent it's message from coming true and impinging on hoped-for futures. I really enjoyed the details you chose for your Spanish Wedding Song; memories spring forth to warm a dry, festive night. Thank you also for the primer on Spanish politics--I had no idea.

An engrossing piece, John and the backstory and the commentary from all have brightened my knowledge yet again.

I like this poem John. It is challenging because its textures do not all run in the same direction. This tension deepens each read.

The first lines don't feel joyous at all to me. I felt a chilly wind, lifting "false tears" from the fountains surface. The abruptness of the ending, inspired by the breezy tears, leaves only the nuptial night to be realized. The abandonment of the regular church and the secularity of life among commoners is clear here.

I thought of the 9 month dash as a fulfillment of what I could easily imagine as a tenet of Opus Dei connected to the wedding night - bearing Opus Dei children. I read this differently than I now know you intended but it works nevertheless.

Are we to smile while they're still drunk as an expression of our sadness at "knowing" what comes next for them? Are we smiling in contempt for their choices?

The closing line suggest that we are smiling because we aren't them.

If this poem weren't bundled in your explication, it would still work quite well. Nestled into the farcical stage of international politics makes it interesting in a different way which is not to say better.

I would have rather learned of its broader meaning from within the poem. This is especially true realizing that it would not have represented a political danger to you or to your friends. I've always had a bias against footnotes and explanations in poetry. And that is all it is: a bias.

About the casual but pointed references in poems we write to our friends -
I allow these poems by other poets to wash over me. I find it is enough to
take in the nuances, to allow mystery.

Ola!!
I really enjoyed reading this poem..It made me smile and think of how false tears would pour and wind blew them away..Though I liked this image a lot...
and saying goodbye to an end that it is about to start...
thanks for sharing it..

I loved it John and your descriptions helped me more.

I loved the Nine month dash! I think celebrating other's songs without needing to own them is what I got from this.

John,
Interesting read, when combined with your notes. Celebration and warning , a political upheaval in the making..
All the comments help point out the various layers of this short but layered poem.

I loved what you did with this and the background you and others have provided which turned this from an intriguing poem into a historical document and an artful plea to take a look at the forces moving in the world, apparently set to repeat the Spanish tragedies of 75 years ago. I wish I had the time to ponder it more deeply and read it more carefully, but I'm glad I had the chance to read these powerful words couched in such an innocent title.

It's strange. After reading all these comments and then re-reading the poem itself, I'm seeing your friend and his bride rising above the political turmoil and the angst of the secular barmen, the religious Sor Carmen and the Opus Dei faithful ... somehow the nuptual night ending nine months later with that reflective view of the fountain's false tears ... oh, all too swiftly ending ... is only a prelude to another chapter. He's rising above for the simple reason that he's becoming a father. All that other ... it's not his song. I'm probably way off, but enjoying a poem could be to dance one's own fantasies within the lines. Anyway, wonderful to be a part of this conversation.

On some deep level, there is a tremendous struggle going now for centuries over Spain. I come to this late, but gain much from the comments. Silence over here about the Spanish election. Grotesque, no, evil it is, how our "campaign consultants" -- our carrion crows of the wounded, faltering American Republic -- go around the world (and even just next door to Canada) to poison other springs.

And the poem is very well done, thanks to Ed for getting it in focus; it just for me takes some living with. And it spurs me to my second hearing of Osvaldo Golijov's Ainadamar.

I recently read a book about one of King Henry's wives who came from Spain, Catherine of Aragon. It was fascinating to read about the history of Spain in the time of Henry VIII. I also recently watched a TV special about Spanish history in which Spain was depicted as being a wonderful country at times during history - a place where various religions and peoples existed together peacefully - until conquerers came in and everything changed for the worse. It appears that factions are again fighting in this beautiful country of warm weather and rich history.

As always, I read your beautiful poems and attach quite literal meanings to the words. In Spanish Wedding Song, I pictured a young couple marrying in joy and innocence as the world around them is changing drastically. Thank you for your explanations which add to my understanding of the poem. I do hope your friend's child grows up to a better more peaceful world.

Dear John,

I think this is such a thought provoking poem - full of deepening sadness couched within exquisite concrete visual images.

AND NOW - as concerns the rest of us ( and this includes me as well)
We are a nation of Hubristic American 'Dunderheads' !
We need to 'get with the program' and take VERY ACTIVE STEPS to broaden the sources we get our news from thereby becoming responsible global citizens..
SHAME - SHAME on all of us Americans -
Shame on us that we do not know news that is in common parlance all over Europe.
I, for one, am going to renew my subscription to the Financial Time out of England - this paper is held in high regard by diplomats as an excellent resource for lay peopleto read to obtain global news updates - it gives excellent coverage to global events - go look at it on line.
It is a fairly expensive subscriptuon and I am going to see if I can get it at the library to read, It is an unusual paper too in that it is printed on peach colored paper.
Also - in this country (usa) the only paper that really strives to do total indepth global coverage is the Christian Science Moniter - The Moniter is not a religious type paper - it is just into the desemmination of responsible global news.
The Fanacial times is the best though > www.financialtimes.com

Again John - Bravo on your poem !

Johnny - The false tears coming from a skittering surface resounds of a tenuousness of traction, a lack of footing that imperils. Under this cloud the rest of the "happy day" seems stilted, forced, scripted. It's no wonder we can be happy it isn't our song.

You make me feel for Spain, John. I wasn't aware of the politics without your primer, and as others say the poem has the chops to stand on its own, but in light of your subtext, it is so sad, as John Beck points out, that our dunderhead-in-chief's ugliness is seeping into so many places.

Sardonic.
Your notes are helpful.
Two Spains? What about Horrific English Spain along the coastline? All day fried breakfasts. The Sun; The Daily Star; perhaps not the Financial Times.

Ah, the Catholic Church continues to medal...as if the Spanish Inquisition was not abhorrent enough. It most certainly isn't my song.

A biting poem, John ...biting!

I find it a very appropriate social commentary. Spanish voters: consider yourselves warned.

Reading your comments and others, especially Tom's, makes me wonder if the civil conflicts in Spain are not just political, but also that of a deep seated yearning by many to break the strictures of forced traditions and those equally adament to save traditions. Of course traditions are usually based on religion. The title made me think this was about marriage, but I now believe it is a broad metaphor for all institutions in Spain that are under the divisive conflict between Church and that secular.

John -

I'll just sit back here on my ole horse, rest in my saddle a bit, listen real well and take this opportunity to learn a great deal while keeping my words/mouth shut for a change. Your work amazes me, my friend.

John I have read this poem several different ways and enjoyed them, but above all the poem seems to shout out...you have choices, read, learn, give up the narrow values foisted upon you, help yourself, children, and Spain find unity in diversity. Lorca's battle cry was just as strong. His cruel death is a shameful page of Spanish history.

John, so much is said here in these words. I comprehend the depth and the power of this work and thank you for sharing it. ''Wind blows false tears''.. The first line itself creates an atmosphere suited to the theme and substance of the poem.
''a prayer to heal a divided Spain''...Yes, my prayers too.
Wonderful work, as always, dear friend.

Spanish vineyards in strong verse, John. Spectral voices in remembrance of Pablo Picasso's masterpiece, "Guernica." Provocative, timely, of evolving substance both for Spain and the world.

Powerful! Wow! Through a chance comment on one of my poems ( I'm new here) I've been opened up to a wide array of wonderful, diverse poets!

I'm enjoying this journey through the wealth of words and images I've discovered!

Near perfect
its lovely
u continue to amaze me in a very special way
I specially cherish
the way you change the whole meaning of everything
with the last line

became addicted to your last lines

Powerful little poem; amazing as always John!

I could almost hear La Marcha Real in the background, and all I could think about was how you might be able to turn this into an intriguing play.

Congratulations to the lucky couple! Salud.

This poem is so filled with image and metaphor that I hardly know where to begin to comment save that it is redolent with melancholy and satire -- a potent brew.

My friend John - Your poem, as Ed pointed out, is filled with sharp teeth. The song follows the tradition of cancciones en espanol which spell out a sarcastic response to repression under the lilt of a happy tune. You do more than comment on the current political situation, you add to the long and honored tradition of this type of song in Spanish political history.
Thanks for the words of courage on my recent post John. You are a better friend to me than I to you.

Nathan

You know John, you are not an easy read. Over the past weeks I've read this often as well as the on-going thread and I've learnt so much of the politics of Spain. The pendulum swings...when will we heed the past?

john - so powerful, your words. the backstory is incredible. i wish we'd learn more about other countries, here in the US.

John: You have the most interesting friends, all comments with depth and feeling. Your writing certainly strikes a chord. For that, you should feel blessed. James Ciriaco said it well:
"these nuptials are celebrated in the face of something politely left unsaid, something that thins the smiles."
My one visit to Spain, almost a decade ago, made me realize what a burden of sadness accompanies Spanish displays of bravado. A past so linked to their future, a country without fulfillment, yet so full of life.

Hola Juan!
OPUS DEI is not my cup of tea; when I learned that a church in London had tight relationships with this organisation I did not go to that church any more. OPUS DEI is also related with many crimes in Frankish Spain.
The poem goes into my blood like a strong rioja and and a deep mail flamengo!

A salud to our beloved Federico Garthia - eviva le nozze di sangue!
So much catholic repression in Spain generated a lot of outrageous films. Without that repression one is more on the dream and soft and pastel tone ...
On the other hand there is a latinicity in some catholic rituals but that does not justify the regression ...

I ment of course male flamengo - not mail sent male dancer ...

Didn't Benedict rant in person too--in Valencia, I think--right after same-sex marriage was legalized in Spain?

It's after the March elections now, it seems that his campaign failed--the Socialists are still there. I feel for the people though who are once again presented with that Guerra Civil dichotomy in which religion is associated with the nationalist, reactionary, and authoritarian side.