https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber
“Clocks slay time... time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life.”
― William Faulkner (The Sound and the Fury)
“The past is never dead. It's not even past.”
― William Faulkner (Requiem for a Nun)
It is so true that time waits for no one, but neither does it stop for any of us either. No, I am not presupposing some religious-oriented eternity, but the posthumous consciousness to which I have often referred in my poems over the past ten years. I will, by the way, be posting far fewer poems from now on as I need to put together revised editions of my poetry collections to eventually post online. I am 74 now and have been living with prostate cancer – among other health issues -since 2011. While I continue to look on the bright side of life, I would like readers to be able to access my poems should Google ever delete my blogs and/or the Grim Reaper come calling sooner rather than later. (Well, you never know…)
Expect the occasional new poem, though, while some of you may like to explore the archives for either or both poetry blogs; these are listed and can be accessed on the right of any blog entry. Oh, and if you ever feel like sending the link to anyone you know who enjoys poetry, be my guest, and many thanks.
Happy New Year everyone, and many thanks for your support over the last 10 years.
YOU-ME-US, A MEASURE OF INFINITY
More than another day
or even another year, but a new decade,
demanding we face it boldly,
unafraid of those who would do us harm
by taking issue with sexual identity
and gender equality in any society answering
to modernity by way of keeping up
appearances. so long as no one gets too close
a look at its underbelly
More than another day,
or even another year, but a new decade,
needing us to be prepared
at the off to take issue with any politics
preferring we focus on blame games
and media criticism
than any deficiencies in policies going ahead
as promised in the General Election if not quite
in the same direction
More than another day,
or even another year, but a new majority
in the upper echelons of power,
as likely to make sure the rich get richer
and the poor get poorer
as it has always been (and always will) if only
because nothing lasts forever
and human nature prefers its best bubble blowers
to insure against the worst
Time, it waits for no one;
rank or station, ours to make of as we will,
its priceless gift to everyone
no less precious a bane as its years go by
and we all get to share
in mixed pleasures long after they have gone;
let a south wind dry any tears,
inspire us to move on, give love its head yet again,
nothing and no one forgotten
Copyright R. N. Taber 2019
[Note: I posted this poem yesterday, but for some unknown reason it was deleted and I have reinstated it; it also appears on my general poetry blog.]
“Clocks slay time... time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life.”
― William Faulkner (The Sound and the Fury)
“The past is never dead. It's not even past.”
― William Faulkner (Requiem for a Nun)
It is so true that time waits for no one, but neither does it stop for any of us either. No, I am not presupposing some religious-oriented eternity, but the posthumous consciousness to which I have often referred in my poems over the past ten years. I will, by the way, be posting far fewer poems from now on as I need to put together revised editions of my poetry collections to eventually post online. I am 74 now and have been living with prostate cancer – among other health issues -since 2011. While I continue to look on the bright side of life, I would like readers to be able to access my poems should Google ever delete my blogs and/or the Grim Reaper come calling sooner rather than later. (Well, you never know…)
Expect the occasional new poem, though, while some of you may like to explore the archives for either or both poetry blogs; these are listed and can be accessed on the right of any blog entry. Oh, and if you ever feel like sending the link to anyone you know who enjoys poetry, be my guest, and many thanks.
Happy New Year everyone, and many thanks for your support over the last 10 years.
YOU-ME-US, A MEASURE OF INFINITY
More than another day
or even another year, but a new decade,
demanding we face it boldly,
unafraid of those who would do us harm
by taking issue with sexual identity
and gender equality in any society answering
to modernity by way of keeping up
appearances. so long as no one gets too close
a look at its underbelly
More than another day,
or even another year, but a new decade,
needing us to be prepared
at the off to take issue with any politics
preferring we focus on blame games
and media criticism
than any deficiencies in policies going ahead
as promised in the General Election if not quite
in the same direction
More than another day,
or even another year, but a new majority
in the upper echelons of power,
as likely to make sure the rich get richer
and the poor get poorer
as it has always been (and always will) if only
because nothing lasts forever
and human nature prefers its best bubble blowers
to insure against the worst
Time, it waits for no one;
rank or station, ours to make of as we will,
its priceless gift to everyone
no less precious a bane as its years go by
and we all get to share
in mixed pleasures long after they have gone;
let a south wind dry any tears,
inspire us to move on, give love its head yet again,
nothing and no one forgotten
Copyright R. N. Taber 2019
[Note: I posted this poem yesterday, but for some unknown reason it was deleted and I have reinstated it; it also appears on my general poetry blog.]
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