Letters home from Russia

 A Found Poem using exclusively writings from the Quaker Mission to St Petersburg in 1854 to try and avert the Crimean War.

 The yamshick drives, rope in hand

sixteen hundred miles and ten below

every twig encrusted, trees of glass

the air full of icy pines and sunshine

We drive over the Vistula

on ice thick enough to bear the heaviest carriage

in the rich dark green of forest

we read scripture, hold our little meeting

Petersburg is a splendid city

the sledge horses dash along

fine snow flies like dust

and it is by no means too late

The Emperor receives us with great kindness

we take the hopeful view

and in cheerful spirits

venture to approach

We the undersigned

in deep conviction, religious duty

uniformly uphold a testimony against war

O Mighty Prince

*

I do not desire war

abhor it as sincerely as you do

am ready to forgive the past

if only the opportunity

Great esteem, sincere affection for your Queen

sovereign lady, wife and mother

but prudent foresight has been unfairly construed

as ambitious desire for conquest

This has afflicted my heart

I shall only act in self defence

but my duty

is the honour of my country

*

 We fear there is little prospect

the Emperor acts from principle

and our government attaches

so much importance to our visit

Our duty is not to shrink

not compromise ourselves, our religious community

of one thing there is no doubt

the Emperor would glad avoid war

*

All our feelings are homeward

we sweep over the ground in good style

an extraordinary thundering over snow drifts

the horses small but of good courage

The weather colder, minute particles of ice

in brilliant sunshine, a pure blue sky

We had fifteen minutes with the Empress

“I have seen the Emperor with fear in his eyes.”

We cannot avoid the painful conclusion

war seems inevitable

the Angel of Death has been abroad

you may almost hear the beating of his wing

c. Miriam Halahmy