The Bright Lights of Sarajevo
By Tony Harrison
After the hours that Sarajevans pass
Queuing with empty canisters of gas
to get the refills they wheel home in prams,
or queuing for the precious meagre grams
of bread they’re rationed to each day,
and often dodging snipers on the way,
or struggling up sometimes eleven flights
of stairs with water, then you’d think the nights
of Sarajevo would be totally devoid
of people walking streets Serb shells destroyed,
but tonight in Sarajevo that’s just not the case and
The young go walking at a strollers pace,
black shapes impossible to mark
as Muslim, Serb or Croat in such dark,
in unlit streets you can’t distinguish who
calls bread hjleb or hleb or calls it kruh,
All takes the evening air with a strollers stride,
no torches guide them, but they don’t collide
except as one of the flirtatious ploys
when a girl’s dark shape is fancied by a boy’s.
Then the tender radar of the tone of voice
shows by its signals she approves his choice.
Then match or lighter to a cigarette
to check in her eyes if he’s made progress yet.
And I see a pair who’ve certainly progressed
beyond the tone of voice and match lit flare test
and he’s about, I think, to take her hand
and lead her away from where they stand
on two shells scars, where, in 1992
Serb mortars massacred the breadshop queue
and blood dunked crusts of shredded bread
lay on this pavement with the broken dead.
And at their feet in holes made by the mortar
that caused the massacre, now full of water
from the rain that’s poured down half the day,
though now even the smallest clouds have cleared away,
leaving the Sarajevo star-filled evening sky
ideally bright and clear for the bombers eye,
in those two rain full shell holes the boy sees
fragments of the splintered Pleiades,
sprinkled on those death-deep death-dark wells
splashed on the pavement by Serb mortars.
The dark boy shape leads dark girl shape away
to share one coffee in a candlelit café
until the curfew, and he holds her hand
behind AID flour sacks refilled with sand.
Exploring “The Bright Lights of Sarajevo”: A Poetic Journey Through Resilience
Tony Harrison’s “The Bright Lights of Sarajevo” stands as a profoundly moving and insightful poem, offering a unique perspective on human endurance amidst conflict. Published in 1995, this powerful work captures the startling paradox of life persisting, even flourishing, in a city under siege. It is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and a poignant reflection on the absurdity and tragedy of war. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding this remarkable poem, delving into its summary, central ideas, and the masterful literary techniques Harrison employs.
Summary of “The Bright Lights of Sarajevo”
“The Bright Lights of Sarajevo” vividly portrays the daily struggles endured by the citizens of Sarajevo during its prolonged siege in the Bosnian War. The poem opens by detailing the arduous tasks of queuing for essential supplies like gas and bread, all while facing the constant threat of sniper fire and shelling. Despite these harrowing conditions, the poem shifts its focus to the evenings, revealing a surprising scene: young people taking leisurely strolls through the war-torn streets. In the darkness, ethnic divisions blur, allowing for moments of genuine human connection and courtship. Harrison then juxtaposes this tender scene with the brutal reality of the city’s past, specifically a mortar attack on a bread queue. The poem concludes with the young couple finding a fragile moment of intimacy in a candlelit cafe, a small act of defiance against the surrounding devastation. This poem is a compelling exploration of how life, love, and hope endure even in the bleakest circumstances.
Central Idea and Noteworthy Knowledge
The poem’s central idea revolves around the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit and the unexpected continuation of everyday life, particularly courtship and connection, even within a city under siege. Harrison masterfully illustrates how fundamental human desires for love, normalcy, and simple enjoyment transcend even the most horrific circumstances. The poem challenges readers to consider the complex layers of war, not just as a narrative of destruction, but as a backdrop against which life’s most basic instincts persist.
For a deeper appreciation of “The Bright Lights of Sarajevo,” understanding its historical context is crucial. The Siege of Sarajevo, lasting from 1992 to 1996, was one of the longest in modern history. The city was encircled by Serb forces, leading to relentless shelling, sniper attacks, and severe shortages of food, water, and electricity. This poem is not merely a depiction of physical destruction, but a profound exploration of the psychological impact of such prolonged conflict and the enduring human capacity to find light in the darkest of times.
In-Depth Analysis of “The Bright Lights of Sarajevo”
Establishing the Context: Daily Struggle and Unexpected Resilience
The poem immediately immerses the reader in the grim reality of life in Sarajevo. Harrison begins by detailing the arduous daily routines of its citizens, painting a stark picture of survival:
After the hours that Sarajevans pass
Queuing with empty canisters of gas
to get the refills they wheel home in prams,
or queuing for the precious meagre grams
of bread they’re rationed to each day,
and often dodging snipers on the way,
These lines powerfully establish the constant struggle for basic necessities and the ever-present danger. The imagery of “empty canisters of gas” and “meagre grams of bread” highlights the scarcity, while “dodging snipers on the way” underscores the pervasive threat of violence. It is against this backdrop of extreme hardship that the poem’s central paradox emerges. The shift in focus to the evenings, signaled by the line “but tonight in Sarajevo that’s just not the case and,” introduces the unexpected scene of young people strolling the streets, a testament to an enduring human need for normalcy.
The Power of Darkness: Dissolving Boundaries and Identity
The darkness of the besieged city plays a crucial and symbolic role in the poem. Harrison observes:
black shapes impossible to mark
as Muslim, Serb or Croat in such dark,
in unlit streets you can’t distinguish who
calls bread hjleb or hleb or calls it kruh,
This observation is profound. The darkness functions as a great equalizer, obscuring the ethnic divisions that fueled the conflict. In the absence of visual identifiers, the poem suggests that genuine human connection can occur, unburdened by the labels of war. Furthermore, the lines about the different names for bread demonstrate how even language, often a key marker of identity, becomes blurred in the shared human experience of survival. This highlights the artificiality of these divisions and the common humanity shared by all citizens.
Nuance in Connection: Sensory Detail and Coded Communication
The “strollers pace” establishes an intimate and relaxed atmosphere, creating a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos. However, the poem also acknowledges the underlying tension and caution in these interactions. The young couple communicates through subtle, almost coded cues:
Then the tender radar of the tone of voice
shows by its signals she approves his choice.
Then match or lighter to a cigarette
to check in her eyes if he’s made progress yet.
The “tender radar” metaphorically describes the sensitivity required for connection in such a perilous environment. The lighting of a cigarette becomes a “flare test,” a delicate moment of shared light and vulnerability used to gauge reciprocal interest. This nuanced portrayal of courtship demonstrates a quiet resilience and a determination to find connection, even when danger lurks. It is a powerful testament to the enduring power of human desire for intimacy.
Haunting Juxtaposition: Life and Death Intertwined
One of the poem’s most striking characteristics is its haunting juxtaposition of life and death, beauty and brutality. The young couple stands on a site of immense tragedy:
on two shells scars, where, in 1992
Serb mortars massacred the breadshop queue
and blood dunked crusts of shredded bread
lay on this pavement with the broken dead.
This chilling detail underscores the constant threat of violence that permeates even the most innocent moments. The gruesome image of “blood dunked crusts of shredded bread” serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict. Even the rain, filling the mortar holes, cannot wash away the memory of the massacre. This jarring juxtaposition emphasizes the fragility of life and the enduring presence of trauma, suggesting that the past is never truly absent.
Symbolism of Stars and the “Bomber’s Eye”
The imagery of the stars is deeply symbolic, presenting a complex interplay of beauty and threat. The boy sees “fragments of the splintered Pleiades” reflected in the water-filled craters. The Pleiades, a constellation often associated with beauty and guidance, are here “splintered,” mirroring the shattered lives and city. However, the same clear night sky is also described as “ideally bright and clear for the bombers eye.” This chilling line introduces a profound irony: the very beauty that brings solace to the young couple also makes them vulnerable to attack. It is a powerful illustration of how even the most innocent and natural aspects of life can be tainted by war, transforming a source of wonder into a harbinger of danger.
Fragile Hope: A Moment of Connection
The poem concludes with the couple seeking refuge in a “candlelit café,” a small act of defiance against the surrounding darkness and danger:
The dark boy shape leads dark girl shape away
to share one coffee in a candlelit café
until the curfew, and he holds her hand
behind AID flour sacks refilled with sand.
The “AID flour sacks refilled with sand” represent a blend of international assistance and local necessity, a desperate attempt to create protection. The image is both poignant and hopeful. The couple finds a moment of intimacy and connection, even as the threat of violence looms. The simple act of holding hands behind these makeshift barricades suggests a fragile but enduring connection, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The poem offers a glimmer of hope amidst the devastation, suggesting that even in the darkest of times, human connection and the pursuit of normalcy can endure.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “The Bright Lights of Sarajevo”
Tony Harrison’s masterful use of literary and poetic devices significantly enhances the impact and depth of “The Bright Lights of Sarajevo.” Understanding these techniques unlocks a richer appreciation of the poem’s message and artistry.
Juxtaposition and Paradox
The poem is built upon powerful juxtaposition, placing contrasting elements side by side to highlight their differences. The most striking example is the contrast between the daily horrors of war and the tender moments of courtship. The “strollers pace” of young lovers is juxtaposed with “dodging snipers on the way.” Similarly, the beauty of the “star-filled evening sky” is immediately followed by the chilling realization that it is “ideally bright and clear for the bombers eye.” This technique underscores the constant tension between life and death in Sarajevo.
Closely related is paradox, a statement that appears self-contradictory but contains a deeper truth. The very title, “The Bright Lights of Sarajevo,” is paradoxical, as the city is largely unlit due to the siege. The “bright lights” refer not to electricity, but to the enduring spark of human life and connection that shines through the darkness, a profound truth about resilience.
Imagery and Symbolism
Harrison employs vivid imagery to create a sensory experience for the reader. The poem is rich with visual details, from “empty canisters of gas” and “blood dunked crusts of shredded bread” to “black shapes” and “candlelit café.” These images ground the abstract horrors of war in concrete, relatable experiences.
Symbolism is also central to the poem’s meaning:
- Darkness: Symbolizes not only the lack of electricity but also the moral ambiguity of war and the blurring of ethnic identities. In the dark, people are simply “black shapes,” stripped of divisive labels.
- Water: The “rain that’s poured down half the day” filling the mortar holes symbolizes both destruction and a form of cleansing or renewal, though it cannot erase the memory of the massacre.
- The Pleiades: This constellation, traditionally a symbol of beauty and guidance, appears “splintered” in the water-filled craters, symbolizing the fragmentation of life and hope under siege.
- Bread: A fundamental necessity, bread symbolizes life itself. Its scarcity and the massacre at the bread queue highlight the brutal impact of war on basic human survival.
Alliteration and Assonance
Harrison skillfully uses sound devices to enhance the poem’s musicality and emotional impact. Alliteration, the repetition of initial consonant sounds, can be observed in phrases like “death-deep death-dark wells,” which emphasizes the profound tragedy of the shell holes. Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds within words, contributes to the poem’s flow and mood. For instance, the long ‘a’ sound in “black shapes impossible to mark” adds a somber, drawn-out quality, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Enjambment
Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, is a prominent feature throughout the poem. This technique creates a sense of continuous flow, mimicking the relentless nature of life and struggle, even amidst disruption. Observe how the lines “The dark boy shape leads dark girl shape away / to share one coffee in a candlelit café” flow seamlessly, mirroring the unbroken rhythm of life and connection within a city under siege. It draws the reader forward, reflecting the ongoing narrative of survival.
Metaphor and Simile
The poem employs subtle yet effective figures of speech. The phrase “the tender radar of the tone of voice” is a compelling metaphor, comparing the delicate act of discerning interest through vocal cues to a sophisticated detection system. This highlights the heightened sensitivity and caution required for human interaction in a dangerous environment. While overt similes are less frequent, the metaphorical language consistently enriches the poem’s meaning.
In conclusion, “The Bright Lights of Sarajevo” is a powerful and moving poem that offers a nuanced exploration of war, resilience, and the enduring power of the human spirit. Through its vivid imagery, evocative language, and skillful use of literary devices, Tony Harrison compels readers to confront the complexities of conflict and to appreciate the fragility and profound beauty of life that persists even in the darkest of times. It is a timeless work that continues to resonate, reminding us of humanity’s capacity for hope and connection against all odds.