'The Art of War'. Strategy is all, the strength comes from within. Great write...Lin

Great work Jude...reminds me of the book...The Art of War...to know thy enemy one must be a close to him as a friend...

nice...

Art Sun...

You make a helluva warrior Jude! Hope you feel better soon,thoughts and prayers sent your way...Et

Two messages come from this poem. Are you talkng about war or man and the war with in? Much to think about !...M

... the stillpoint IN the centre of the battlefield; the stillpoint IS the centre of the battlefield: how the war is won, always. Like a Spielberg movie, that surreal panning around the subject who stands, head held high and taking in the vibes while explosions hit ground all around, never touching him/her. Very Messianic as well, uncovering and thus disarming by powers of revelation and show of hands. And meekness is controlled strength, effective in gaining the upper hand. Hand-to-hand is where the psychological battle stands or falls... and a handshake will finish it. Which of us won the arm-wrestle, by the way?! :)) Hugs and healing vibes, Babe; hope you're feeling better. xx

So insightful, Jude; and you share a wise perspective in your verses. Thank you. Love and peace to you,

Regis

there lies here a disarming chill of reality for the character Jude -- a write that touches one style of warriors battle plan -- an insight not often examined objectively -- thanks for sharing -- peace and love my friend -- Jon Michael

Jude,
Deep insight into this character. This reminds me of when I used to play Risk and Dungeons & Dragons with my older brother. He never had a problem getting into character and treating the situation as real. A warrior's soul maybe. Such wisdom in this write. Hugs,
Sheila

expressed with impressive acumen, jude.
carolyn

And perceptive poet. Another good one, Jude. -gene.

Very stealth in thought and perception and now to decide which course of action is best suited...

Be always safe,
Karen

as one is guided by the intuitive perception, rather than fall prey to the egoic reaction indeed victory shall be won

Jude,
Behold the new politics...
good one!

John

Jude,
Love the take on perceptiveness. Your perception is spot on. Blessings Always, Paul.

Most powerful offering Jude!!

Love tinka

Here's the thing: It all plays itself out in a poem I wrote in 2005 posted on Authors Den, "We Built This City" - I wrote the poem in dedication to Robert Jude Forese, our lead poet. It evaluates the situation from the artillery of the quill and speaks of the need to defend against the deceptive interloper and his ulterior motives...and so, we focus on building a collective tomorrow, strategized unity on "disarming an antagonist"...

We Built This City

Perservering to build
a modern-day medieval
city

to transport us to
another time and
place.

The renaissance of
the gong
chases away evil
spirits, warns of
interlopers, heals
the sick, and
invokes the dead.

Surrounded by a
permanent unbroken
wall,

erected in solidarity,
fortified by the toil
of limestone poets
and sandstone novelists
building a collective
tomorrow.

Building communal
walls around an
island in a tidal
estuary,

the strata on which
the walls are built,

prone to subsidence
and constant ebb
and flow

and nature's feudal
emotions and
idiosyncrasies.

Unified intelligentsia,
following the directive of
their lead poet,

archaeologists
access the vulnerability
assailed by tide.

We built this city Wall
on a gravel bed with rubble
and mortar.

The advent of artillery, the
Wall becomes redundant
as a defensive structure.

The novelist inspects
projecting pilasters of
superb erotic sculpture,
stone lotus and dancing
nymphs carved on the
caryatid.

The lead poet summons
his well-read, calciferous
disciples to the freestanding
stone wheels under the
chariot pulled by celestial
stone equines, to the
heavens,

and the lead poet recites

building a collective
tomorrow.

We Built This City.

Copyright 2005 Sage Sweetwater, firebrand lesbian novelist

A poetic and clever expression of what is referred to as "situational awareness" in military and intelligence circles. Very nice indeed.

A wise warrior indeed, if his position is revealed and convincing, he has won the battle, not by defeat, but by having an ally now instead of an enemy, somewhat aching to what Jesus did, with love, and revealing such, even unto his enemies.
wonderful lines succinct and deep in thoughfull exposition.
Blessings! Jasmin Horst

Kill the sucker and he won't bother you again. ;-)

Very perceptive. The warrior and hunter have the same traits. The only difference is the game.

Ron

Jude, I have read this a few times. I am hearing these words as a deeply moving sonnet on a level that eludes the average thinker. As always you push the limits of cleverly writing in a metaphoric and mysterious nature.
Some what of a burden, but yet something that this warrior is seeking can only be captured with strategic moves and patience. It is the best strategy to be upfront and honest and above all cautious. Strategy my friend, is the key to ruling your world.
Always reign victorious without harming anyone or thyself.
Three fold rule, What ever goes out comes back three times to you.
There you have it, my take on this, among other thoughts too long to write here.
I bid you a good day, and rest that brilliant mind of yours,
Much peace, light and love,
Amber

interesting character!

The metaphor which this poem represents is universal and written in such a way that anyone can, and should, understand and heed it. Good.

A most perceptive warrior, indeed.

Your poem gives one a perception of war, but generalizes in such a light as to offer one the perception that all of life is a battleground. In a world where man has become the product of his opinions and beliefs, man can stick firm to his own beliefs by being a "perceptive warrior" or he can be drawn into the mirror of other's beliefs. The poem gives the impression that one must always be on guard, not to necessarily achieve "winning" success, but rather just to survive within the framework of being who he is and standing up for that belief. (Jude, I know when I review your poems I sometimes sound far out, but I've found some of your poems do have a metaphysical or theoretical base.) I hope I'm not too far out of line with the way I interpret them.

A perceptive warrior is the one getting out from the arrow's path!

Georg

PS. Although, Marines never duck under fire...they just take cover!

Verbally effective Jude, I felt a surge of thought wrapping around each stanza as my mind digested your knight of life.
fee

War is a game of being in the right place and stacking the deck in your favor.

Very interesting ending here, Jude. Interesting -- the facing of antagonist and minimizing chances of loss, -- not quite the positive thinking pap we're being fed these days. but as i say, i like the ending. Admitting you're looking for a victory -- but not by disarming but rather by being forthcoming. That is a spiritual take, I believe. He will win or he will lose, but the choice is a revelation of the true self -- instead of guile. A life can be lost this way, of course, but it is a life truly lived, because one is always brave enough to stand where one stands. it is a kind of authentic way of living. thanks for this.

And hopefully his position has stategic advantage. Patrick

Your warrior sounds like one who has been around for a very long time and who is wise as well as cunning on the battlefield. Interesting metaphor if we think of the avenues of life as our battlefield and the need to evaluate our options for not only survival, but for fulfilling our dreams. Very well written and an excellent poem in every aspect. I enjoyed this very much, thank you.
Take care,
Sherry

Wonderful and strong poetry. I love it Jude. The senses of a warrior is as acute as his will to live.
Blessings and love,
Susan