only lucid dreams bring forth his testimony
only dark moments reveal an existence sought through light
he cradles the moon as it transforms his body,
listening to voices appearing
through shadows of malevolent beings
howl into a weeping concerto of neglected vagabonds
performing to his deafening heart
so he will absorb the magnetic warmth of the sun
but will not reveal his spots to such a transient permanence,
for his lips are tied by innuendo,
amused by the anile pretentions and subservient dogmas
the do so infuriate
the responses he declines to offer
so he is left alone with the universe to contend with,
contemplating the future
where nothing really matters
in retrospect
... actually, this probably is the contrasting pair, if one exists, to Creative Death: think you just untied your lips to deliver your creative response, in that case! :))
In retrospect, if there IS a cosmic blueprint which will ultimately be disclosed, of course, nothing in the here and now DOES particularly matter. On the other hand, everything does. Surely it is in our noticing of the small detail of that which has intrinsic life in itself that the Grand Scheme moves towards fulfilmment? I remember in my reading for the dementia project, that it was said by a professional that memory is the single most important factor that shapes our perception of who we are and how we hang together. It is like the arrow which propels us into our experience of a future. We only therefore HAVE a future by reference to our past. Otherwise it's just a succession of vague momentary experiences?
Blimey, I must move on. But I've really got this "pairing" thing on the brain... your poems seems to join like bird wings, contrasting to give that up-down movement of flight. Which reminds me, Senor... Hope you're gettin your Act together!! :)) No time like the present... desK-ed Kate xx
Your work is always brilliant Jude and thought provoking! the problem is what we can't fix in retrospect,we continue to do in present,which causes us to carry our poor choices into the future...retrospect is there for us to learn what not to do in the future
Looking back, I'd say this is a great poem. A retrospective perspective from now. When you get right down to it, is there any other kind?
Best regards,
Leland
Well, it does matter to you. There are a lot of really clever lines here. I think my favorite of the oh so creative is "for his lips are tied by innuendo." What a statement!
It matters in retrospect only insofar as the future gains its 'life' from the seeds of yesterday. Whatever is planted today will take root and grow tomorrow.
I've always believed our thoughts are where our true magic lies; I believe our thoughts are creative and ultimately manifest in reality. So, I do believe our contemplations matter. Perhaps nothing else does. I love how you end with both "future" and "retrospect." If anything at all matters in the future it's our opportunity to glean - in retrospect - what our past thoughts created for us. Your beautiful writing is skillful as always and enables the reader to focus on your subject - in admiration...
Truly, most of what goes on in this world is just diversion from that which we should be embracing. We are all in a transcendental time. Much that we concern ourselves with only serves to waste our energy and divert us from introspection and preparation for the next plane. Your words are saturated with truth and wisdom but we should be careful how much stock we place in our dreams, for they are sometimes distorted obliques of our realities. Great offering
I see out there in the universal shadows a man all dressed up as gladiator, shield ready for any coming blow, sword half thrust ahead but with his face looking over his shoulder, in retrospect, like asking himself if what he left behind was worth of it, or if he misunderstood everything and instead he should have been a shepherd.
Maybe David used a piece of Philosophal Stone in his slingshot.
And often for some, those thoughts in retrospect haunt us even in our dreams. But the only thing that really matters is how we deal with the now, because even the future is uncertain. But our Lord Jesus is always there watching over us and protecting us in our faith. This was written very well Jude, and with a lot of feelings.
so he will absorb the magnetic warmth of the sun
but will not reveal his spots to such a transient permanence,
This is so true in its surrealness and depth. Thank you for sharing.
May the Lord Jesus bless you, and those whom you love and who love you, and be with you always, and at your side constantly. With much love in my heart, joy to the world, peace on earth & ((((((((((MANY WONDERFUL SISTERLY HUGGGGSSSS)))))))))), your little sister, Barbie
'such a transient permanence' ... Love it Jude! :-D
Reviewed by Flying Fox Ted L Glines (Reader)
Reviewed on October 21, 2008
We all look back at events, especially the traumatic ones, saying "If only I had done this, or not done that ..." but the event is history, destiny was writ, and here we are, where that 20-20 hindsight is worthless to us now. And, if that event should happen again (unlikely), will we respond to create a more positive destiny for ourselves? When all of the fine retrospecting is done, perhaps we will have time to live reality. Nice one, Jude :-)
Ted
Reviewed by Stan Grimes (Reader)
Reviewed on October 21, 2008
nothing really does matter in retrospect. Great write.
David Hightower’s lyrically expansive meditation on the whims of fate and the unpredictability of the human condition fill the pages of THE HANGING MAN DREAMS with thrilling music and mesmerizing imagery. Hightower’s richly infused voice echoes the e
David Hightower’s lyrically expansive meditation on the whims of fate and the unpredictability of the human condition fill the pages of THE HANGING MAN DREAMS with thrilling music and mesmerizing imagery. Hightower’s richly infused voice echoes the e
This book represents a thirty-day period of my poetry journal. Each poem addresses
the dominant thoughts occupying my mind during the early morning hours of a given
day.
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In retrospect, if there IS a cosmic blueprint which will ultimately be disclosed, of course, nothing in the here and now DOES particularly matter. On the other hand, everything does. Surely it is in our noticing of the small detail of that which has intrinsic life in itself that the Grand Scheme moves towards fulfilmment? I remember in my reading for the dementia project, that it was said by a professional that memory is the single most important factor that shapes our perception of who we are and how we hang together. It is like the arrow which propels us into our experience of a future. We only therefore HAVE a future by reference to our past. Otherwise it's just a succession of vague momentary experiences?
Blimey, I must move on. But I've really got this "pairing" thing on the brain... your poems seems to join like bird wings, contrasting to give that up-down movement of flight. Which reminds me, Senor... Hope you're gettin your Act together!! :)) No time like the present... desK-ed Kate xx
another fine poem that stirs and provokes and penetrates and leaves one of those great and lasting aftertastes, so satisfying.
John
Best regards,
Leland
All the best. ~ Sara
Ron
In retrospect, excellence runs in and through this poem!
Best regards,
Lance
Fee
Newfie Hugs, Rose
Take care,
Sherry
Maybe David used a piece of Philosophal Stone in his slingshot.
Georg
Sheila
so he will absorb the magnetic warmth of the sun
but will not reveal his spots to such a transient permanence,
This is so true in its surrealness and depth. Thank you for sharing.
May the Lord Jesus bless you, and those whom you love and who love you, and be with you always, and at your side constantly. With much love in my heart, joy to the world, peace on earth & ((((((((((MANY WONDERFUL SISTERLY HUGGGGSSSS)))))))))), your little sister, Barbie
Ted