by Carol Dixon
I’m sure many of us remember the famous rhyme (attributed to John Milton who included it in a longer Latin poem) ‘Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot; I know of no reason why Gunpowder treason should ever be forgot’ that we recited on 5 November. I sometimes struggle with the idea of burning the guy on top of the bonfire – a representation of Guy Fawkes who, with others in 1605 attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London in an effort to end the persecution of Roman Catholics by the English government. Some of my Catholic friends find it distasteful for us still to celebrate the event but if I think of it in terms of a terrorist plot to destroy our democracy then I can see why we need to remember. Building a bonfire and settling off fireworks is great fun for children. I remember from my youth the wonder of drawing patterns with sparklers, the scariness of bangers, the excitement of Catherine wheels (even though I didn’t like dwelling on the story behind them of St Catherine’s martyrdom) and the wonderful whoosh of rockets. This next poem sums up the fun-filled spirit of bonfire night.
POEM: Bonfire Night by Shadow Hamilton
Sky lightening up
flares and flashes
arching high above
Pretty sparklers in
kids gloved hands
waving circling
Loud bangs from rockets
as they explode showering
multi bands of colour
Catherine wheels
spinning round
a visual delight
Guy on top of bonfire
soon is well ablaze
warming cold hands
Display now done
kids head for bed
to dream of it again
© Shadow Hamilton | https://www.poetrysoup.com
Posted 2013
I was surprised to discover there was a hymn about fireworks. Here’s Ian Fraser’s hymn likening the Holy Spirit to fireworks:
HYMN Like fireworks in the night (Tune: St John Havergal – the lord of heaven confess) https://youtu.be/xpLKwnZBSOw?feature=shared (words below)
1 Like fireworks in the night
the Holy Spirit came;
disciple’s fears took flight
when touched by fronds of flame:
and suddenly the world was young
as hope embraced a Saviour’s claim.
2 For Jesus bade them dare
to venture, as they should;
his love taught them to share
their homes, possessions, food:
the mind of Jesus gave them speech
all tribes and peoples understood.
3 Thus God our spirits lifts fresh daring to inspire
as common folk get gifts
to change the world entire:
the tongues of flame at Pentecost
ran through the world like forest fire.
A Bonfire Night Prayer: Lord of Light, your beauty illuminates the darkness of our world. May the celebration of temporary fleeting moments in our lives remind us of the radiance of your love for us in your son Jesus through the exhilarating power of the Holy Spirit.
photo by: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦, Unsplash