Written for Tanka Tuesday. Our host, Willow,
asks us to write a poem about a historical event
which took place in the month of October. The
Abhanga is a poem with any number of stanzas,
each consisting of four lines with a syllable count
of 6/6/6/4. Lines 2 & 3 are the ones that rhyme.
The wall stood gray and cold
for twenty-eight long years,
a city split by fears,
kin kept apart.
Then came that fateful night;
the gates swung open wide,
with hammers, side by side,
they chipped the stone.
Strangers embraced as friends,
champagne and laughter flowed
down each divided road;
the Trabants came.
Then one October morn
two flags became but one,
a nation, re-begun:
Germany whole.
NAR©2026
Nancy’s Notes: The Berlin Wall itself came down on November 9, 1989, and Germany was reunified on October 3, 1990. The first three stanzas tell how the country got there, and the fourth arrives on the October date.
This is “Winds of Change” by The Scorpions
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated, and may not be used with permission. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.
…two flags became one’ – indeed they did. I was working for a German company back then and I remember it so well.
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Great poem Nancy and this was such a great and unbelievable event when it happened. It shouldn’t have ever went up…but this was a great day.
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Wasn’t that the most amazing thing?! Great words, Nancy.
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je me souviens. Abhangariffic
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Anche io. Grazie!
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An excellent poem, Nancy. I certainly remember that day!
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As do I, Chris. Thanks so much.
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Gosh, another new format for me to try, “Abhanga” and you’ve mastered it superbly my dear friend … great soundtrack …
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I know! It’s a wonderful new format which I’m sure you will enjoy. Fabulous video; there was no one quite like Bowie.
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I remember the day the wall went up, and my Mum in tears watching the news. Then in 1989 it was my turn, having to explain to my 3yo daughter why Daddy was crying at the news.
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❤️ Thanks for sharing those emotional memories, Clive.
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It was an important event: even at the age of almost 8 I could tell that it mattered, and to see the joyous celebrations when it was being felled by the crowds was wonderful.
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