Dear Hélène and Holden,

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you both for "liking" my sonnet. It truly means a lot to me to know that the message resonated with you. Your support is always such a great encouragement and motivates me to continue writing and sharing thought-provoking themes.
I always appreciate your thoughts and feedback – thank you for being part of this journey!
Kind regards,
Rolph

Comment is about When They Came... (blog)

Original item by Rolph David

Thank you, Uilleam, for your thoughtful reply and "like" and for sharing that perspective. I understand that some might view the sonnet form as "old hat," but I see it as a deliberate choice. The traditional structure, with its rigid formality, contrasts sharply with the urgency of the message, which, as you rightly pointed out, remains all too relevant today.
I think the power of the poem lies in its ability to carry a timeless message through a well-worn vessel. Even though the form is classical, the issues—persecution, silence, and complicity—are very much alive in our world. As you said, the struggles we face today—against Jews, socialists, union members, and others—remind us that these themes have not gone away. If anything, the sonnet's structure adds weight to the message, showing how important it is for us to speak out before it’s too late.

Kind regards,
Rolph

Comment is about When They Came... (blog)

Original item by Rolph David

There are those who would argue the sonnet is "old hat", Rolph.
I would argue the opposite; that it's very much red in tooth and claw; as you demonstrate here, it's perfectly suited to presenting the horrific subject matter in a clear, immediate and concise manner.
As we speak, in the UK, USA, Germany and elsewhere, they are coming for Jews (those opposed to Genocide and opression in ALL its forms), socialists, the unions, and now, of all people, for the Quakers in the UK.

Comment is about When They Came... (blog)

Original item by Rolph David