The Merry-Go-Round Inside

I hand you an apple, and you are off
on a delightful spin of possibilities.
The first thought is identification,
the next, perhaps, one of degree.
Do you wish to eat it now , or might it better
adorn the fruit bowl on your table
--but those are only two.  My generosity
is processed, the nature of that,
and then the apple's history,
its shape, our relationship, your gratitude,
indeed, the sound of your reply!

 

Suddenly the sleepy head of consciousness
awakes and if we think of that
the carousels within our heads
begin to speed, and we
have only just begun.

 

Hey, it was just an apple, but
it takes us prisoner, for now
it is the catalyst of endless searching.
We may be here all night
and emerge, sleepyheads ourselves,
no wiser.  This cursed carousel
races stubbornly, our horses
stolid, indefatigable. To exit
is surrender.

 

Our villain--and our dearest friend
is consciousness--
self,
and soul
and psyche dueling it out
on other little wooden horses next to us
yet really just another can of worms
to place in line of thought...
or did they wriggle from that apple?
My apologies.

 

I guess all this points up
the dual possibilities of choice
endangering the speculative flights
a universalist like me will take.
Aristotelians decry us; Platanists,
more forgiving, learn to hop
both on and off the merry-go-round
and disregard its pace.
       ~
    

Reviews

[Tom]

Some enigmatic scientists would even tell us that despite the vastness of the universe, it is but just one entity within a parallel of countless more!

Intriguing though mind bending stuff Dean, I especially liked the part when one of those infinite worms wriggled out of your friends apple !! 'Priceless indeed !

[Dean]

Thank you for thinking along with me.

[Sami Khalil]

A deep philosophical poem using the analogy of an apple. It raises so many questions , choices , flavors , tastes , wants , needs , desires , obedience and sin and so forth. I like the swirling thoughts metaphor like a merry-go-rounds...Very clever...:).......

[Dean]

when my work induces thought, that is real satisfaction!

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. Good to know...You are welcome...:)...............

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

"it's shape" - should be its (no apostrophe) shape

I love this poem and can't help but correlate it to Eve's temptation with the fruit and the duality of choices that she had to choose from; and here we are, still today, contemplating that fruit. The fruit of our rewards is a direct result of the seeds planted in the conscience. If we are to reap what we sow, we should endeavor to sow nothing but good.

Well done!

[Dean]

Your interpretation is one of many possible. but I do like it. Duality is certainly in the picture. Thanks

[Dean]

On "its" you are right, of course. I would hate it if I made that obvious error. If it's :-)
read moreOn "its" you are right, of course. I would hate it if I made that obvious error. If it's :-)
still there, nag me about it. I would do the same to you.

[Dean]

Found it. Thanks mucho

[Marie]

Possibilities are endless...an apple can be eater, canned, made into jelly, carved into a doll, planted...

[Dean]

endless, indeed

[J. J. Nightingale]

An apple a day..............

Some lose their "minds" .. and some never did mind..

Slates get lonely ..I think.. forget to wonder.. then wander about in dark circles..

I never minded worms, put them on hooks .. cast them out....hoping for-

I wonder if apples mind the worms.. or do they invite them in.. so they can discover the depth..

I need coffee Sir.. my mind is slow .. and creeks a bit till warmed in that bright sunlight.

A Merry morning to you Dean...............:)

[Dean]

Hot and savory.....right here

[J. J. Nightingale]

:)........................................... Jazz