PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

Is Covid finally waning ? : Is Covid finally waning  ? Hope you are well 

I was talking to someone: I was talking to someone recently about the discouraging lack of good protest songs in contemporary, mainstream music, so it was a pleasure to find a hard-driving, pulse-pounding, unapologetic rant with a social conscious.   Before I get into the merits of the lyrics (and it's important for readers to keep in mind that this is a song, meant to be heard and not read) I want to assure you that there is absolutely no judgement of this poem on my part because of your choice to keep it real and stay true to your audience. It's written, boldly, ferociously and candidly, in the vernacular of rock fans, and this is appropriate to your very crucial message.   The great writer, Mark Twain, wrote: "Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer."   Of course, if profanity is overused or used gratuitously or carelessly tossed in for shock value it can make writing feel cheap, lazy or trite, but that's not what you did here at all. Every word pulls its weight and earns its keep in this brave advocacy for human rights.   To me, helping people is the greatest reward of any form of art, and the wow factor is secondary.   But that is not to say this is not art! It absolutely is. To me. Others may say it's not, but then I would ask, what is poetry? Anyone who claims to have an answer to that, especially this long after the modernist movement, has a very narrow and predisposed view of this highly subjective art form.   Now the merits of your high-voltage, urgent song for humanity:   You give a voice to so many people who are crushed by the weight of a domineering and sanctimonious society. Your indignation, righteous and earth-shattering, rails against some of the most crucial issues that face society.   What is more important than human rights? Even if some soulless person has no concern for LGBTQ+ rights or women's rights or civil rights, they should consider this: if a society is tyrannical enough to deny one segment its freedom, it has the capacity to eventually strip away the rights of anyone for any reason.   Forgive me, I feel the need to pull out this famous quote:   "First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.   Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.   Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.   Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."   —Martin Niemöller   This is what your wonderful song is all about. Speaking out, so that you can never say you were a silent accessory to injustice.   The fact that I wrote an essay should tell you how important and worthy your song is.   Keep singing, loud and proud. 

Although this is one of the: Although this is one of the shortest poems that I have read from Patricia, it is just as full of her signature style---which, were I too sum it up (with my present understanding of it), is to find the spiritual meaning in natural phenomenon.  The Gates of Orion and Councils of Stars provide her a venue for this; and now, she brings her particularly poetic insight to the subject of Beloved Pets.    She defines what the joy of a pet is, and how we understand, by instinct long possessed among our species, that our pet canines see beyond our skin, and the circumstances of our situations (by which we too often judge or criticize our fellow human beings; something a domestic dog will not do).  And the dog's wild heart not only tames us, but becomes fiercely protective of us, and wildly glad to greet us when we return after an absence.     In February, 1972, I was given a Cocker Spaniel pup that I named Monica.  She lived until May, 1986.  The bond between us was deep, unshakeable, and---to me---comforting.  Unlike my parents, she did not castigate me for my failing.  Unlike my classmates, she did not make jest of me for my appearance, or for whom my nature was inclined to love.  When I was in a good mood, she liked to romp around, chase a ball, stuff like that.  But when I was sad, or frustrated (two almost constant aspects of my adolescence), she discerned that almost immediately and would not leave my side, not even to chase a ball or collect a doggy treat.  Her wild heart tamed my clumsy and awkward rages, or my sad realization that (until 1976) whomever I loved, or had a crush on, would be unresponsive or even dismissive.  Monica, even in her extreme old age, was never unresponsive or dismissive.  When she passed, I wept uncontrolably for days.  I never thought I would see her like again (and I have most always dwelt with dogs) until a rescued chihuahua pup, whom we named Zoey, entered my life in 2010.  Zoey has the same discernment Monica had; much the same personality; and is able to discern when I am seriously ill, even before I realize that.  (She also could see the ghost that supposedly haunted the second residence we shared with Zoey, although that is another story.     I have said all that to say this.  I admire this poem of Patricia's very much, as much of her more cosmic poems, and for the same reason:  she is the classical kind of Poet, like the Alexandrian Poets or their successors, the Roman Neoterics, who explained things poetically.  The Cosmos uses these highly literate interpreters to explain itself to us, and thus, through us, explain itself to itself.  And when one of our planet's fur-heroes, with eyes of discernment that see past circumstances into our souls, wins our hearts and, in its way, offers us its own Love, the Cosmos finds a fulfillment.  Massive, distamt stars fuse hdrogen into light and warmth, but to us, and to our pets, is given the privilege and responsibility to love; and, thus loving, to bring the Cosmos a little nearer to its ultimate destiny.  And in declaring---explaining---reminding us of this, Patricia participates in guiding the Cosmos to its ultimate destiny and understanding.     This is a magnificent poem, and a worthy addition to Patricia's collection.

Thank you most kindly dear: Thank you most kindly dear Patricia. May the beauty you find be the blessing that surrounds.

A very understandable state: A very understandable state to be in. If memory serves, the term is seasonal affect disorder. Although I wonder why is should a disorder when it is more of a syndrome. Perhaps sad is better than sas. lol. Thanks for sharing.

The image of an overly moist: The image of an overly moist and drowning cut diamond - what a brilliant thing to behold!

Simply wondrous. I echo what: Simply wondrous. I echo what Starward wrote; it certainly is profound emotion contained in a succinct, beautiful package. Each line is the definition of elegant yet pulsating brevity, then sewn together loosely with the crafty use of white space it becomes . . . a marvel.   The last line rings true with such power and perfection that I don't know what else to say.