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.

[angeline]

I feel am a romantic from 50's. Love is life so I survive at this age because of love.
I believe in another lifetime and I feel this is it.

I like your poem.

[J.R.H.]

Thank you so much! I love the fifties too. I also like what you said at the end. That's why I write - that world.

[Abilash Uttama]

a thought provoking read, liked it.

[J.R.H.]

Thank you, sir!

[E G TEN]

Encore! Encore! A story telling at its finest" I love writings such as this it's pure and untainted" I thought you were just an observer in here, but your no sheep, your a big bad wolf! A big bad hopeless romantic wolf!!

[J.R.H.]

Haha. I am beyond glad you enjoyed it! It really means a lot to me!

[Kelly Scheppers]

I suddenly feel a brilliant vitality and zest for life...like a thirst that has been quenched. You give us much to ponder here...thank you for your gift!


My best,
Kelly

[J.R.H.]

Thank you so much for those words! I am honored you enjoyed it!

[MCS]

Dare to be yourself because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind

[J.R.H.]

True words sir! Hope you enjoyed it!

[MCS]

I did, looking forward to more

[J.R.H.]

Definitely will be.
Thanks again.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

This is great. It has a nice build-up.
favorite part:

And, most certainly,
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

[J.R.H.]

Thank you Lizzie! That is actually my favorite part, as well!

[Lizzie Mitchell]

That's so cool! Can't wait to read more!

[Stonz P.]

Clearly our ideas of Romanticism differ. I don't know what genre my writing would really belong to but I am sure am a die-hard Romantic.
This poem was actually a great read.

This poem is well crafted and does have a strong, yet seemingly one sided (as I interpreted it) opinionated tone to it.
We do need revolutionary means which bring about the change but speaking about a revolution and bringing about one is a whole different matter.
If I were to wholly believe in this poem, then the end of this revolution would be no different than the war one has been fighting all along? And there are many issues like what will happen to the people who disagree with the romantics, to those people who might even oppose Romanticism? Right?

And a lot of this stems from criticism of the system. India is 50 years behind USA in aping their level of corruption; it's happening, indeed and very soon the counterculture will be here too gd.

Personally, I feel that all problems stem from Ego and only if people understood its grip over them, then only will they sympathise. There can be no one singular way to solve a problem. 2+2=4 but so is 1+3 and 5-1 and so on.. but what matters is the result 4.. but which way is correct, who knows? Who will?
Take the example of a coin: Two sides, agreed but they both lead to the circumference, no matter where you begin.. but then which side is ideal? No one can know.
And Romantics should stick to finding beauty in this world, and I agree with you only romantics will help make this world a better place..because no one can abhor beauty and admire horror (and of course, the vice-versa) the way we can :)

Good write but I am afraid our views are too different. I hope I do not end up offending you; that is not my intention.

[J.R.H.]

I simply believe change can be fought for. My romanticism does not spring from simply my love but the pain in seeing it's destruction. And I have seen too much in my life. At times speaking up is a moral obligation less you let that light whither and vanish. One must be aware of the dark in order to remain in the light. I learned this the hard way. Also romantics follow civil disobedience. Mine is through writing inspiring and spreading awareness. You should not be afraid of what the romantics do, but what might happe, if we don't. But differences aside, I respect the comment and the honest opinion.

[Stonz P.]

Brother.. Romanticism in India is 99.9% DEAD, could you think of it getting any worse? We had such great writers like Rabindranath Tagore, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Premchand, etc and today they're forgotten because they're dead. That 0.1% will always be there; hidden, unknown. At least, people in your country would at least know what it is. I am perpetually in the darkness, if it is put like that. Like I said, it is not about what is wrong or right, but what should happen.
One must first be a human, then be a Hindu, Muslim, Communist, Idealist, Romantic, whatever.. Humanity is primary. Those who give in to animal instincts are animals themselves. There is no difference. To be human one must first overcome their animal instinct. That is how evolution worked.

I am glad I did not end up offending; I was worried I might. Glad to have had the discussion :) But again, who is right? We don't know... just that our goal is unanimous, and we should be glad for that.

[J.R.H.]

Do you really think that was romanticism? Or the death of it. Also, knowledge and reasoning can provide a fairly distinct view of right and wrong, making it all the more important to spread it. But to each his own.

[Valentine]

You have some very good lines, I really liked...a moth lost in relentless pursuit of a fire in the dark. Also like the last 11 lines. If I am a romantic I do not know it. Since my husband died, I feel numb. Valentine

[J.R.H.]

When I was younger a girl I loved died, and then she came to me in a dream, kissed me and told me she loved me. I asked her what was going on, she told me she'd tell me tomorrow and ran away. I waited to see her again but didn't. A few weeks later I understood, tomorrow is death. It is not the end. So please keep faith. Your husband wants it.

[Woody]

excellent poem. thought-provoking.
romantics will save the world? at the state the world is in, now? I have my doubts. things have gone so far, I'm not sure anything will be able to save us. I know, I'm a pessimist. believe me, I was not always that way.

[J.R.H.]

When the night is darkest, my friend, the sun will rise.

[Woody]

I applaud your optimism. ok maybe I'm not totally pessimistic. we'll see :)

[J.R.H.]

Yes! I'm glad I spread a little light!😊

[J. Moore]

intriguing with a clear structure that sews each paragraph together. i havent used this technique in any of my published works but next time im inspired i will try it haha

[J.R.H.]

thank you! I'm stoked you liked it.