Xanadu revisited

[PrinceMyshkin]

In Xanadu did Coleridge,
as the legend goes,
watch as from opiate splendour rose
a bridge
from the allegedly known
to some, alas and hallelujah, unknown.

Where Alph, the sacred river, ran,
ran also the delving of that man
into the vastness of the underground
sea, where is to be found

the questions we have yet to answer
or hardly even thought to ask.
For each of us has one deep, solemn task:
to reacquaint the music with the dancer.



_______
© 2009, J. Newman. This is an original work posted under the name of PrinceMyshkin on http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46203. Any unauthorized reproduction of it constitutes theft.

[Smoogles]

There is so much to this poem. I sense uncertainty, then you mix in notions of ignorance, all wrapped up in the end with certainty, familiarity, and instinct. Your contradictions and flow are superb here. Well implemented rhyme scheme, too!

We delve into the unknown
learn how little we know
one foot, in front of the other

[PrinceMyshkin]

There is so much to this poem. I sense uncertainty, then you mix in notions of ignorance, all wrapped up in the end with certainty, familiarity, and instinct. Your contradictions and flow are superb here. Well implemented rhyme scheme, too!

We delve into the unknown
learn how little we know
one foot, in front of the other

thank you so much for your appreciation and for your three-line addition.

As for your signature, I hope you won't be offended by this little parody I once wrote:


"I think, therefore I am." Descartes
"I think, therefore I am Descartes." Newman
"I think I am Newman thinking I am Descartes. Therefore I am a banana."

[Smoogles]

Haha, no offense taken here! That's quite witty.

I remember reading your poem collections last year, haven't been on recently. But, you haven't missed a beat. If I can recollect correctly, you once had a poem about two birds adjacent to each other, each pondering what the other was thinking. I can't believe I still remember it. You have scorched those words into my brain. It was an eight word poem if I can recall... Brilliant!

[PrinceMyshkin]

Haha, no offense taken here! That's quite witty.

I remember reading your poem collections last year, haven't been on recently. But, you haven't missed a beat. If I can recollect correctly, you once had a poem about two birds adjacent to each other, each pondering what the other was thinking. I can't believe I still remember it. You have scorched those words into my brain. It was an eight word poem if I can recall... Brilliant!

Thanks again!



Birds in adjacent cages
pondering
each other's dreams

[Smoogles]

Magnificent, I was wondering if there are any poems in your collection which encompass the nature of animals, instinct, or the balance in which they reside. I just saw "Planet Earth", it was very refreshing to know Humboldt's gifts still resonate through humans unquenchable thirst for exploration and understanding.

[PrinceMyshkin]

Magnificent, I was wondering if there are any poems in your collection which encompass the nature of animals, instinct, or the balance in which they reside. I just saw "Planet Earth", it was very refreshing to know Humboldt's gifts still resonate through humans unquenchable thirst for exploration and understanding.

I've had so little acquaintance with nature and our fellow critters, that this opening to a long ago poem of mine



I have seen the little foxes'
eyes
gleam beside the path

is the only one I can think of and even there, the fox or foxes disappear after that opening.

[blazeofglory]

In Xanadu did Coleridge,
as the legend goes,
watch as from opiate splendour rose
a bridge
from the allegedly known
to some, alas and hallelujah, unknown.

Where Alph, the sacred river, ran,
ran also the delving of that man
into the vastness of the underground
sea, where is to be found

the questions we have yet to answer
or hardly even thought to ask.
For each of us has one deep, solemn task:
to reacquaint the music with the dancer.



_______
© 2009, J. Newman. This is an original work posted under the name of PrinceMyshkin on http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46203. Any unauthorized reproduction of it constitutes theft.

Beautiful, absorbing!