Oh my...how many disillusioned, broken souls have disappeared inside themselves... You have a fascinating mind Gene Williamson.

to be read by roaring fire......
recalls to my mind of fingal's cave and causeway, from ireland to scotland and back again. ...
such hellenistic and rich baroque languid language.
the iconoclastic images, the atlas shrugged tone. .. . rich and frothy. sonnet and sonorous. .. sable and true......fabled and far away. .. ..
i just adore the mere sounds of the wordsmithery.
takes me back to a gentle and noble imaginative thing of always of everyw[here].....
yum.
ness

Great poem,I enjoy reading it.take care

Not only is this extremely clever and erudite, but the visual impact of it strikes me as arcane with hidden knowledge that is heavy and haunting, like a book of spells... perhaps it's all the "oooooooooo"s occuring... clatters with the sounds of the occult or something. BUT NOW THAT'S EVEN CLEVERER... cos that is just what Gentle Giant Gargantua came to combat!! My ignorance and superstition!! I LIKE! :)) xx

a poetic and romantic re-visitation of the Rabelais Gargantuan and Pantagruel literary series that drew so much criticism from many of the era -- superbly written and directed by your mighty pen Gene -- always an interesting perspective is to be enjoyed in your work -- peace and love my friend -- Jon Michael

That "foul cloud of iconoclasm" is, I hope, contained in a Rabelaisian effusion of escaped gases from his hairy hindparts! It's the least we can do to revenge ourselves upon these mental midget barbarians at the gate. Thanks, Gene...

Such precision in you writing, I admire that.
The end leaves me feeling frustrated, helpless, even bitter...
No, I don't like bitter.
Great subject, really!

Axilea

a well-rounded a a giant philomath adventure via skillful poetic expressionism ...

Love the picture you paint at the end and also appreciated the... "who bathed themselves in banalities, genuflect off key." Been witness to a few episodes like this, usually on a Sunday. Can't believe I said that. oh my! Hugs, J'nia

'A foul cloud of iconoclasm, cries out his colossal rage, disappears inside himself'---------- I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!! Liana Margiva

Seems that lately people have discovered of harboring inside a gargantuan-rabelasian with not a clue why it make them to cry, they should disappear inside themselves and search for a reason.
Philosophical perfect.

Georg

can I offer an embrace of love...
the tenderness of it...
or the hope of wishing to calm the beast within him...
something...my review falls under a sorrowers heart:
"a foul cloud of iconoclasm,
cries out his colossal rage,
disappears inside himself"
Peace, Love & Inspirations
Vickie

Ah yes; Rabelais and his Gargantua and Pantagruel; this reminds me of my French Lit courses in university, Gene. Thank you. Well done. Love and peace to you,

Regis

I have to get out my dictionary for some of this one, Gene...e

Frustration and disappointment on a grand scale in every sense; I like the notion of 'gateway' that underlines, how author and character become one another in time and persona, and your choice of vocabulary here is marvellous....rich, powerful, apt.
This is of the highest order, Gene.

John

Sounds like just another night down at the Pub. Beatifully written, though, and packed with wonderful, troglodyte imagery with humorous and scintillating ghoulish overtones. Nice one, cheers!

Transmitting emotional sensation, transcribing external reality recording the impact of a personal scene, Gene...with avowed purpose of conveying strong feelings, with the aim of correcting a social blunder, the character raging in a wild, deranged dance of life who spreads ignorance and superstition to the gullible masses...timely and relevant poetry...verification of a higher mind...

"The disheartened intruder
in despair discards his intellect,
empties his flask, belches"

Love,
Sage

Wow, Gene - this is amazing. I've read it several times, partly - I confess - in the hopes that I might somehow siphon some of your genius from beyond my computer screen. Of course, I love the underlying message. I love the image of Gargantua. And, your sounds are incredibly fluent. "...shadow of the rood", "...bathe themselves in banalities...", and "wraps himself in the night" stand out for me, but every line here is so well written. This is the perfect poem to read aloud; your alliteration magnifies the power emanating from this piece.

Good one, Gene; well done!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :)

Gene, such power in your words, Very nicely done,
Blessings,
and much peace, love, and light,
Amber "V"

Here is what I heard. This poem is an ironic, iconic statement of America's materialistic, be better than the Joneses system. One such individual trapped in the cogs of capitalism faces the reality of a life of pedantic pursuit, chained to superstitious isms (those that our wonderful media bombards us with to brainwash us) and a flask of whisky comes to the rescue to drown rage at a life wasted. Powerful statement.

My God, Gene, undone by the power in these lines: powerfully penned.

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.