good cheer
silent night
a carol reverberates
among refugees
--Cezar Florescu, Botoșani/ Romania
This poem offers readers a juxtaposition allowing them to reflect on what is happening, as well as on what the message is.
We can see a very good contrast, between a tradition of the winter holidays and the harsh reality of being a refugee. The carol brings them comfort in an unknown place. At the same time, the silence can also mean peace, suggesting that the refugees have found comfort in a new land.
The first line can refer to the well known carol, or the night could literally be silent. If the night is literally silent, then we can see a coincidence and a play upon words, since we hear a carol, which could be one other than Silent Night, among the refugees.
The winter holidays are a time when we have a high sense of hope, which is reflected in the way in which the night grows silent, as if sympathizing with the refugees, and wishing to offer them a magical moment.
Review by Ana Irina
https://kuudoos.blogspot.com/2025/12/good-cheer.html
