Modern Sonnet 210, A Hope for Our Readings of History.
The world seemed to admire when Churchill said,
In answer to the question, “How do you
Know history will smile upon your deeds?”
“Because I’ll write it!” Maybe this is true.
At least at first! Each winner gets to write
What happened, how it happened, and who died
As martyr, or as murderer; the light
We shine upon the past is warped by lies
That blind us. Yet the boldest dimmer-switch
Can only keep control within the room.
Outside those walls events we see conflict
And history can be revealed, and soon
That matter swiftly written by who won
Is worn away by time’s
continual,
relentless,
calm,
and steady investigation.
Andrew Barker
31 май 2022
