Victim Poems: My "editor", and subject for most of my poems believes this is a victim poem and thinks I can get beyond the blame frame. I do see the your fault finger pointing in this poem but I still like this one. He just might be too vested in the subject lol.
The real issue is you are a: The real issue is you are a humanist that thinks you are a Christian. Heretics are without Grace. That's not saying they can't repent. but, what do you think happens to a heretic at death? Do we all go to heaven miss? Even the ones that don't confess Christ?
There is that sense of the: There is that sense of the land and a distinct feeling of the golden age of travel about a train journey. That has been captured here quite elegantly. Nothing quite like seeing how we get there!
That is quite a connection to: That is quite a connection to have been made, for me it is like the effect of those famous lines:
When You Are Old
By William Butler Yeats
When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face;
And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.
Beautiful poem, and that: Beautiful poem, and that second quatrain will, I am sure, come back to me more than once when I enter that final twilight before homegoing.
Thanks Patricia. It's quite: Thanks Patricia. It's quite satisfying to get feedback about this being about time's passage which is one of several ideas that this poem carries with it. Also loving the thought or rebirth and timelessness of the written word. That is fantastic! /Rik.
Your kindness, advice and: Your kindness, advice and appreciation has provided so much motivation and encouragement that without your support, several of my posts would never have seen the light of day. I'll never tire of expressing my gratitude, towering Poet of wisdom and light.
That was exactly the effect I: That was exactly the effect I was going for, and with the validation of a superior wordcrafter, I'm beyond gratified.
Thank you again and again for making my day!
This hypnotic and hauntingly: This hypnotic and hauntingly eloquent spill of words illustrates time's passage, then lands on a note that I interpret as rebirth or the timelessness of the written word.
The variety and deep insight of your collection is astounding.
Both dreamlike and musical in: Both dreamlike and musical in its seduction and eloquence of thought . A poem that elicits satisfaction and wondrous journey of thought. It's capacity to transport the mind is a generous power.
As I recall, this was one of: As I recall, this was one of the earliest comments I posted on your work. I had just been released from a very long (two and a half months) hospitalization. The Covid lockdowns were soon to begin and the winter, in my area, was very dismal. Yet, I was about to embark on a reading experience that, I realize now, I had been preparing for since my undergrad days. In those first few weeks after my release, I came very quickly to the conclusion that you are a great Poet; how profoundly great was still to be revealed to me, and is still being revealed to me as you continue to post your magnificent Poems. Visiting this comment reminds me of an experience I had at college when, browsing through a library book, I came upon some notes I had scribbled in it a couple of years prior. It became a timeless moment. So, here, I am experiencing another one.
The urgency of the Messiah's: The urgency of the Messiah's return was a flame that they kept ever burning and one that has to be relit in our day and generation.