Rise of The Romantics

There can be no revolution, without the enlightenment of romanticism. Since the beginning of time, a romantic, has been behind every great revolution. So, it is past time, we rise again.

In solitude we sat,

counting time on the walls

of existential classrooms

perpetually awaiting

something profound

But our passion was bound

by the fetters of their 

empty words which 

always seemed to neglect

the essential question

of why.

Why?

We would ask ourselves,

as we silently accepted failure

is there no end to this pit?

Why, is there no light

for us to see?

Us,

we're given these orange bottles

with white tops and white stickers

and with a jovial smile, they tell us

we think too much and we, 

need to be balanced.

But,

aren't we, individuals, 

or has being different

become some kind of problem,

some kind of disease that

people want to control and maintain

like machines.

Human machines,

the horrid dreams of Adolf Hitler

accomplished, by a single pill

with the single ability

to make you normal.

Because to them,

you, are far from being normal

you, have tangible minds and open hearts

you, can see beyond the superficial and

into the light of glorious day

you, are the beginning to their end

the future to their past

you, are a romantic

And to be a romantic

within this corrupted machine

is to be a moth lost

in relentless pursuit

of a fire in the dark

of a dim light in the infinite void

where lies hide the truth and

reason voluntarily

subjects to ignorance

while all of those who

dance in celestial sun

are all but trivial dreamers

who may never see

the ubiquitous light

of tomorrow's unveiling. 

 

But drown now, with haste

the trickery of that skeptic

with the majesty of faith

self-resurrected

because our darkest of nights

will inevitably give birth

to our brightest of stars

and through all somber

they will glow afire

for all the world to see

so that no man just

nor unjust will be able

to evade the romantics who rise

with the alchemy of light lit

within the iris of their eyes.

Author's Note

Let me know what you think!

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i think i am a romantic from the 60's with the idealism that things would change for the better, that there actually could be peace and love...
and now i wish i were much younger and could do much more to revolutionize than just write poems about it...

there is so much apathy now...we need some young idealists to start a fire of change.

really got into this poem...a reflection of me in my youth.

[J.R.H.]

O' but, some of us young ones wish we had the chance to venture into the sixties, a time when revolution did seem possible. Now days,the romantics aren't traveling in large groups having sex, taking drugs, and speaking their mind. Now days, we walk alone. The machine is too large, too engraved.

A romantic,however, must be aware of the darkness, in order to remain in the light.

Your generation did not have the internet. The internet, honestly, is our last potential savior. Our only chance to connect with the rest of the world and reveal the truths that have been buried beneath the secret societies of the rich and famous.

Beside, if you never give up, revolution is inevitable.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This is freaking FANTASTIC! I'm just in love with your poetic voice. I like the fire and rage of it. But it's not that, in and of itself. It's the direction of the satire; the target of the edge...that's what I'm feeling kinship to. I've been throwing spears at my own Goliath for decades. They think I'm done and washed up but I've only begun to fight. We need more young, strong voices like yours to take up the mantle, like the knights of old for a cause more just and noble. Rouse them from their sleep like Paul Revere! Sound the alarm, blow the trumpet and whet your glittering sword. We may be the old guard but we've got your six and we are experienced. Forward.

[V]

Philosophical write, a lot to ponder on you throw out to the reader. I think you've chosen your words pretty well, a thought over and enjoyable read.

[Matching Socks]

I enjoyed this piece. I'm trying to put my finger on why exactly. Maybe because it's hopeful, but possibly because it's hopeless? I think we confuse romance with love sometimes but I think we are also a little desensitized. Cheap thrills vs deferred gratification. Love never really happens on first sight does it?
But, if it be true, then yes I agree that it can move mountains of people. Anyhow, I enjoyed your poem.

[J.R.H.]

Every great thing ever done has been inspired by love. That I do know. Thank you very much for your comment ana!

[Matching Socks]

You're welcome JRH.

[.]

I'm not sure this is a poem. More like an essay of philosophical thinking.

I can understand your ideals by reading this work. I am inspired by the Romantic poets....Keats etc, so i can identify with your views here.
This is very impressively worded, perhaps needed a little more sentence structure; my opinion only.
Like the reference to the establishment hindering the romantic by dosing him up on pills, adhd medications, etc.
A very different piece of writing to what i usually read here on cafe.
Maintain the rage.

[J.R.H.]

Thanks for the read Doodley and I always appreciate suggestions. However, I will continue considering it a poem because I feel like it would be strange not to :/
Also if you have advice on sentence structure - let's hear it!

[.]

The sentences are mostly fine. Just in the final three stanzas, they seem a little too long to be one sentence each. Just my opinion.

[J.R.H.]

They are lengthy, but I want it to have that 'crying out' feeling and run ons are the best way to accomplish that. However, If there is a way to shorten it and keep the same effect I will definitely consider it. And thanks again for your feedback. I really do appreciate it.

[Moonie]

I really like this kind of outside the box thinking. Your poem encompasses all the problems that plague the modern society-from dirty, opaque politics to the education system that has no room for questions.
The romantics are suppressed everywhere. Their thoughts are called silly, utopian day dreams. I reckon it is our right as the world citizens to criticize what is wrong.
This sure is a marvellous piece. Although you missed the "the" before "glorious day", and "celestial suns". Also, I guess you could change the 1st line of the last stanza to
"It, however and forever,
remains dire that we
drown now, with haste
the trickery of that...." I changed the commas here..
I am aware of the fact that some poets do not like it if a reviewer mentions punctuation, spellings or grammar. And I appologize if it sounded petty.

Once again, I would say, that I really enjoyed this one! Well done!! :))

[J.R.H.]

Thank you very much for your review and interest in this piece. Certainly, I have no problem with critiques. However, adding 'the', I feel, will add unnecessary length. The comma, I can understand, and may change next edit.

Anyways, thanks again for the read!

[Mister_Sir]

I apologize for taking so long to review your piece. I really enjoyed this one. It provided an excellent commentary on such a profound topic with a mature and elegant tone. My favorite stanzas are the first and the fifth and the last, because for me the emotion is the most powerful there. I also like how they appear as nodal points in the piece to mark the major focal points of the piece. My absolute favorite part is

"But,
aren't we, individuals,
or has being different
become some kind of problem,"

because it keys in the most significant issue, that the greatest minority is the individual, who is the founder of all society. This then implies that diversity is key to human flourishing. It is a brilliant piece. Bravo. And I look forward to reading more from you.

Neurotically yours,
Mister Splitbrain

[J.R.H.]

Thank you so much for the read. I have read a good bit on here and your poems have been some of my favorites so I am excited you enjoyed mine as well.

[Tina Kline]

A very grand and sweeping poem. I love it. The vision and the message, yes if only. But hope still lives on for now. You did an outstanding job on this.

[J.R.H.]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[Tina Kline]

You're very welcome.

[gabrielle]

Very intense piece. The first stanza spoke to me as questioning the system of education. When we question some realities, it signifies our desire for change. However, even our greatest desire cannot inspire change if we do not apply the appropriate action. Thought provoking.

[J.R.H.]

Thank you so much! I am thrilled you enjoyed it!

[Einstein Noodle]

i don't know why these lines intrigue me so much ... but they do:
"we're given these orange bottles
with white tops and white stickers"
there is a bit of a battle for emphasis in these two lines ... i want to focus on the dancers but celestial draws me because it is a more complex word:
"while all of those who
dance in celestial sun"
your poem is immediately like the voice of one crying in the desert ;) it covers a lot of territory .. the classroom, politics, history and personal journeys of all kinds .. it lights up all kinds of places in my own mind and memories .. with idealism and calls to passion ..nicely done .. heavy thinking for me so early in the morning :)
E.

[J.R.H.]

Thank you so much for the read E! I am glad you enjoyed it!

[C.R. Miller]

Thought provoking and screams of urgency. Good representation of the angst ridden generation of little orange bottle drinkers.

Question regarding that section. Do you think it's more of a push to make those who are 'abnormal'... normal or just a means to profit off the deviant nature of the romantics?

[J.R.H.]

Profit is not the wish of those who already have too much. ; )

Thank you for the read! I am glad you enjoyed it's sense of urgency!