Ambiguity will not be permitted tonight!

[PrinceMyshkin]

Between right and wrong
sweeps humanity in
with its mottled morality
and freckled face.

On either side, rank
upon rank, stand
the consiglieri of the indubitably
correct, shoulders back, rectums
tight. Ambiguity
will not be permitted tonight.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry Newman © June 27, 2007

[Adolescent09]

I've been reading this poem over the coarse of an hour and have come to realize how absolutely brilliant this surreal, but effective concept is. Although a google word search, a Webster dictionary check and Word Perfect spell check all render the word 'consiglieri' non-existent it's seemingly impetuous insertion in the second stanza makes the work mysteriously complement the poem which redefines ambiguity in itself. I'm lead to believe by the imagery hints and explicitly intriguing flow (especially in the second stanza) that the poem is focused on a grave issue at stake, potentially a bitter debate or a novel idea before a conclave that brings up presentiments. The last lines in particular brought fond recollections of the last movie I saw, 12 Angry Men, where consecutive details lined up together to culminate in a far from predictable way.

Thanks so much for posting :D.

[PrinceMyshkin]

I've been reading this poem over the coarse of an hour and have come to realize how absolutely brilliant this surreal, but effective concept is. Although a google word search, a Webster dictionary check and Word Perfect spell check all render the word 'consiglieri' non-existent it's seemingly impetuous insertion in the second stanza makes the work mysteriously complement the poem which redefines ambiguity in itself. I'm lead to believe by the imagery hints and explicitly intriguing flow (especially in the second stanza) that the poem is focused on a grave issue at stake, potentially a bitter debate or a novel idea before a conclave that brings up presentiments. The last lines in particular brought fond recollections of the last movie I saw, 12 Angry Men, where consecutive details lined up together to culminate in a far from predictable way.

Thanks so much for posting :D.

I hope it doesn't sound patronizing if I say that you are one articulate 16-year old! Many many thanks for your appreciative remarks. You can google "consiglieri" which I knew of mostly from the first part of The Godfather. The definition I found (which is indeed what I had in mind) is consigliere (singular): "An adviser or counselor, especially to a capo or leader of an organized crime syndicate." The form I used is the plural.

But no, I had no grave issue in mind, at least none more grave than our human habit of rigorously, narrowly defining "right" and "wrong." Some of that concern comes from the rather strenuous - and fruitless - disputes I've been having with some of the more dogmatic (in my view) religious believers on this site.

[Virgil]

I enjoyed it immensley too Prince. Are you Jerry Newman, by the way? This is personal poetry forum, so I assume this is yours. The title just absolutely grabbed me. I also liked the way the assonance worked in these lines:

the consiglieri of the indubitably
correct, shoulders back, rectums
tight. Ambiguity
will not be permitted tonight.
indubitably rings with ambiguity and tight rings with tonight. It gives it a nice sound at the end, a nice conclusion. And the sounds are slant rhymes (indubitably/Ambiguity) or rhymes with unmatched syllobles (tight/tonight) which adds to the ambiguity theme. :)

[Debrasue]

I've been reading & going over this poem for awhile also...very clever use of some brilliant words....or is that brilliant use of clever words? Either way it's thought provoking.....Thanks....

[Riesa]

I've been reading this poem over the coarse of an hour and have come to realize how absolutely brilliant this surreal, but effective concept is. Although a google word search, a Webster dictionary check and Word Perfect spell check all render the word 'consiglieri' non-existent it's seemingly impetuous insertion in the second stanza makes the work mysteriously complement the poem which redefines ambiguity in itself. I'm lead to believe by the imagery hints and explicitly intriguing flow (especially in the second stanza) that the poem is focused on a grave issue at stake, potentially a bitter debate or a novel idea before a conclave that brings up presentiments. The last lines in particular brought fond recollections of the last movie I saw, 12 Angry Men, where consecutive details lined up together to culminate in a far from predictable way.

Thanks so much for posting :D.


wow!!!!

I second that!!! sigh.

[motherhubbard]

I am so glad to see that I am not the only one who had to get out the dictionary. I loved your poem, Prince. It is precise and exact. I love when someone can say everything is just a few words. You chose words with a lot of connotation and combined them to say even more. I’m going to add it to my list of favorites!

[Moira]

I liked all the poems you've posted so far, they are indeed thought provoking.
Thanks for sharing them with us.

[Bii]

Hi Myshkin - another great poem (you're making me jealous now!). A lot said in a few well chosen words. Like the others I had to look up consiglieri and the definition is as you've indicated (thank goodness for dictionary.com!). Again some interesting use of uncomfortable imagery rectums tight , along with more 'acceptable' images, I particularly enjoyed mottled morality and freckled face but perhaps that's just because I'm freckly too! Thanks for sharing :)

[PrinceMyshkin]

Yes, Virgil, I'm Jerry Newman. And thank you and Moira, MotherHubbard, Bii, Riesa and Debra Sue.

It might interest you to know that the concluding lines


Ambiguity
will not be permitted tonight

were originally meant to be


Ambiguity
will not be committed tonight

which on reflection I think might have been better. Any thoughts on that?

[motherhubbard]

I like permitted better. It sounds like judgmental people are looking through your skin and examining what's on the inside, and they will not permit ambiguity even if you would commit it. It’s as if the reader is powerless under their examination. However, it’s probably not good advice to listen to me. I’ve written a grand total of five poems if you don’t count the Haiku threads.

[PrinceMyshkin]

I like permitted better. It sounds like judgmental people are looking through your skin and examining what's on the inside, and they will not permit ambiguity even if you would commit it. It’s as if the reader is powerless under their examination. However, it’s probably not good advice to listen to me. I’ve written a grand total of five poems if you don’t count the Haiku threads.

Thank you, but here it wasn't a matter of poetic technique but of which was more interesting, and your opinion DID matter to me. Thanks

[Bii]

I agree with motherhubbard that 'permitted' seems to work better. It's more fitting with the regimented, almost military feel which you get from the rank upon rank, stand the consiglieri of the indubitably correct, shoulders back, rectums tight..

[Pendragon]

This one lays a strangle hold on the reader and doesn't let them go! I must admit that I have had trouble with some of your poetry, but this one is a masterpiece. Frame this one, written in calligraphy on parchment, and hang it in a place of honor on the wall! My hat, sir, is off to you.

Pen

(I have no smiley that would do justice to this poem.)

[PrinceMyshkin]

This one lays a strangle hold on the reader and doesn't let them go! I must admit that I have had trouble with some of your poetry, but this one is a masterpiece. Frame this one, written in calligraphy on parchment, and hang it in a place of honor on the wall! My hat, sir, is off to you.

Pen

(I have no smiley that would do justice to this poem.)

Is this a bald-spot which I see before me,
Gleaming in mine eye? Come, let me cover it!
Prithee, don thy cap again,
Lest I go blind from viewing thee...

[Virgil]

Oh, I like permitted far better. It suggests conflict.

[symphony]

only thing i want to say is, WOW!

[PrinceMyshkin]

Oh God, let's have the wit
to savour, without showing it,
the fear of death, that makes us quick,


the need for love
that keeps us, rooted, thick,
and yet forever on the move.



J. Newman Sudden Proclamations © 1992