http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber
Today's post/poem is taken from my general poetry blog archives for April 2012; few readers accessed both blogs then so I hope those whose interest has been confined their interest to this one will enjoy it. I will continue posting archived poms from one blog to the other awhile longer, after which some readers may like to dip into the archives themselves as listed on the right hand side of any blog page.
‘Leo’ who describes himself as 'an aspiring poet' has asked me to repeat this poem, last seen on the [General] blog in 2010, because it ‘keeps me focused on the fact that there are more important things in life than wealth and ambition.’
I am happy to oblige, Leo, but bear in mind that there is nothing wrong with having wealth or ambition; it’s how a wealthy and/or ambitious person handles either or both that counts.
It is how we live and how far we try to compensate for our flaws (we are all but human) that defines who we are, not what we have or don't have; regardless of race, religion, sex or sexuality; such is the art of being human,
This poem is a villanelle.
GRAFFITI ART: ENGAGING WITH SHORTCOMINGS AND POTENTIAL
I have worked with rhythm and rhyme
as poets for centuries have done,
building bridges on a river called Time
Where they fell at some god’s first crime
on killing fields of the sun,
I have worked with rhythm and rhyme
For all those cut down in their prime,
let’s redeem the bloody deed done,
building bridges on a river called Time
Like a lotus rising from the world’s slime,
symbol of a spirited imagination,
I have worked with rhythm and rhyme
Let past and future, great players of mime
embrace audience participation,
building bridges on a river called Time
No dark toll where goat bells gaily chime
(echoes of the Parnassus run);
I have worked with rhythm and rhyme,
building bridges on a river called Time
Copyright R. N. Taber 2010
Today's post/poem is taken from my general poetry blog archives for April 2012; few readers accessed both blogs then so I hope those whose interest has been confined their interest to this one will enjoy it. I will continue posting archived poms from one blog to the other awhile longer, after which some readers may like to dip into the archives themselves as listed on the right hand side of any blog page.
‘Leo’ who describes himself as 'an aspiring poet' has asked me to repeat this poem, last seen on the [General] blog in 2010, because it ‘keeps me focused on the fact that there are more important things in life than wealth and ambition.’
I am happy to oblige, Leo, but bear in mind that there is nothing wrong with having wealth or ambition; it’s how a wealthy and/or ambitious person handles either or both that counts.
It is how we live and how far we try to compensate for our flaws (we are all but human) that defines who we are, not what we have or don't have; regardless of race, religion, sex or sexuality; such is the art of being human,
This poem is a villanelle.
GRAFFITI ART: ENGAGING WITH SHORTCOMINGS AND POTENTIAL
I have worked with rhythm and rhyme
as poets for centuries have done,
building bridges on a river called Time
Where they fell at some god’s first crime
on killing fields of the sun,
I have worked with rhythm and rhyme
For all those cut down in their prime,
let’s redeem the bloody deed done,
building bridges on a river called Time
Like a lotus rising from the world’s slime,
symbol of a spirited imagination,
I have worked with rhythm and rhyme
Let past and future, great players of mime
embrace audience participation,
building bridges on a river called Time
No dark toll where goat bells gaily chime
(echoes of the Parnassus run);
I have worked with rhythm and rhyme,
building bridges on a river called Time
Copyright R. N. Taber 2010
[Note: First published under the title ‘ A Poet’s Take on Eternity’ in Far and Wide: Forward Press Regional Collection, 2010]
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