A photo of Kyal Sin, A Poem on Myanmar Protester Kyal Sin: ‘Fallen Angel’ by Bethany Mootsey The Society April 8, 2021 Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry 7 Comments . Tribute to 19-year-old Kyal Sin, known as “Angel,” a dancer, taekwondo champion, and first-time voter who was killed during the protests against Myanmar’s CCP-backed military coup Remember her proud, girlish way Of marking that Election Day? She sealed it with a purple kiss. In hindsight, ignorance is bliss, For harshly would her land repay. Fearless, she danced into the fray And faced the tear gas, dodged the spray Of bullets till one did not miss. Remember her! How still and gray the angel lay! How black the murmur of dismay That started as an angry hiss And rose like smoke from the abyss Up to the clouds, which joined to say, “Remember her!” . . Bethany Mootsey is a stay-at-home mom and foster mom living in Clearwater, Florida. She is a Covenant College graduate with publications in “Church Educator.” NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 7 Responses Gail April 8, 2021 Those folks are being so brave. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant April 8, 2021 Bethany, I am a huge fan of the rondeau, and you have used it to maximum effect. The repetition adds to the potency and poignancy of the scene – a scene that is becoming all too familiar worldwide. The final stanza is a heart-touching triumph. We should all heed these words… this evil is on our doorstep now. Bethany, thank you! Reply Bethany Mootsey April 8, 2021 Thank you, Susan! I love the rondeau as well, although the small number of syllables permitted is tricky. I had a hard time with that last stanza especially, so I’m glad you like the effect. What is happening in Myanmar is really awful and deserves our attention. The night after her burial, police dug up Angel’s body for an autopsy to “prove” that the bullet that struck her was not from their military. We will remember! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant April 8, 2021 Bethany, it’s poems like yours that bring these atrocities to the fore, and I can’t thank you enough for shining light on the dark evils of the world. I know exactly what you mean about the tricky intricacies of the rondeau, but yours was well worth the effort. Thanks to you, we will remember, indeed! Margaret Coats April 8, 2021 Bethany, I quite agree with Susan that this is a splendid rondeau. Like “In Flanders fields,” the best known rondeau in any language, it makes a powerful call for remembrance of the dead. But next time you write a rondeau, remember that you can use pentameter lines. Tetrameter are more common, but both line lengths have been used since Sir Thomas Wyatt began writing English poems in this form in the 16th century. For one of the best in pentameter, check out William Ernest Henley’s “What Is To Come.” If you search for the poet’s name and the poem’s title, you should find it at several websites, including poemhunter and poetrynook. Best wishes as you continue composing! Sally Cook April 8, 2021 Bethany – Such a graceful and forthright poem ! Thank you for it. Reply BDW April 14, 2021 I, too, am thankful for Ms. Mootsie bringing forth the topic in her terse rondeau. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Susan Jarvis Bryant April 8, 2021 Bethany, I am a huge fan of the rondeau, and you have used it to maximum effect. The repetition adds to the potency and poignancy of the scene – a scene that is becoming all too familiar worldwide. The final stanza is a heart-touching triumph. We should all heed these words… this evil is on our doorstep now. Bethany, thank you! Reply
Bethany Mootsey April 8, 2021 Thank you, Susan! I love the rondeau as well, although the small number of syllables permitted is tricky. I had a hard time with that last stanza especially, so I’m glad you like the effect. What is happening in Myanmar is really awful and deserves our attention. The night after her burial, police dug up Angel’s body for an autopsy to “prove” that the bullet that struck her was not from their military. We will remember! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant April 8, 2021 Bethany, it’s poems like yours that bring these atrocities to the fore, and I can’t thank you enough for shining light on the dark evils of the world. I know exactly what you mean about the tricky intricacies of the rondeau, but yours was well worth the effort. Thanks to you, we will remember, indeed!
Margaret Coats April 8, 2021 Bethany, I quite agree with Susan that this is a splendid rondeau. Like “In Flanders fields,” the best known rondeau in any language, it makes a powerful call for remembrance of the dead. But next time you write a rondeau, remember that you can use pentameter lines. Tetrameter are more common, but both line lengths have been used since Sir Thomas Wyatt began writing English poems in this form in the 16th century. For one of the best in pentameter, check out William Ernest Henley’s “What Is To Come.” If you search for the poet’s name and the poem’s title, you should find it at several websites, including poemhunter and poetrynook. Best wishes as you continue composing!
BDW April 14, 2021 I, too, am thankful for Ms. Mootsie bringing forth the topic in her terse rondeau. Reply
