- but all is to be dared, because even a person of poverty

Fragment 31,,fragments from Sappho

- but all is to be dared, because even a person of poverty

 eats a dark toast, and considers life.

Perhaps they too dream the impossibility of dance

where one dares to leap into the zeal of effort

and find they are rewarded with a prime of new ideas,

In the palaces that house dreams, a poor man rises equal

to the inspirations of a rich man.

The grass is just as green, and the sky as blue.

Money cannot conflict the heart that finds adventure,

in the ocean spray, in the mountain mist,

in the hope that is a belly laugh breaking

from chastised eyes that will be free.

All that is dared with the grit of devotion, rages into the golden

field grain, where the sun winks warmly,

like a friend.

Reviews

[Emily B]

I most want to be where the sun winks warmly

[Fabian G. Franklin]

It's true that imagination is a great equalizer; much the same as death. The rich man is no better off in death than the poor man; in fact he is worse because he had more to lose. All his finery, money and earthly posessions go to others and he will have no say in the grave whether they are cherished or squandered by his progeny. Solomon said a good name is to be treasured above riches of silver and gold. But even names fade in time and men with their works are lost to history like Shelley's Ozymandias. But I have seen men afraid to dream whose hopes were crushed to dust before the sprout had scarcely left the ground and bravely dared to venture towards heaven. I have seen enough hollow empty eyed stares of the lost to deny Alexander Pope's claim that "hope springs eternal". Hope can die and dreams can be destroyed. I am more apt to agree with Voltaire's Candide in saying that we hope for the best in the best of all possible worlds..but one must not mistakenly confuse that hope with reality. To do so is an error most fatal. Still, I am an eternal optimist and a romantic although the proceeds might be deemed worthless. It costs no more to hope than to be in despair; for oneself or for all mankind. So, there is your proof that even the poor consider life. We may never attain immortality but it will not keep us from reaching for our stars. A wonderfully thought provoking write.

[Terry Collett]

I am enjoying your poetry. I cannot say that with many I have read over the years. This poem's lines:

Money cannot conflict the heart that finds adventure,

in the ocean spray, in the mountain mist,

in the hope that is a belly laugh breaking

from chastised eyes that will be free.

Are wonderful.

[deeps]

I really like this write especially the line about "the inspirations of a rich man' makes one think that through. Very well written and a brillant write. I like this alot.