JANUS - the god that sees two ways

JANUS

and what of time?
and what of space?
and what of dreams?
mired in uncertainty,
sullen toss of the dime
of father, relives each moment
of son, sun struck Icarus
and others, stuck for ever
a remorseless gyre,
an everlasting spiral
rewinds to oblivion!

Reviews

[Red Brick Keshner]

What an intriguing blend of two classical tales, superb poetic device! To be able to spy on the inwrd state and thought process of Daedalus met with the bothways point of view of Janus. Later in thought, the reader imagines the rewinding into oblivion akin to the promethean loop. Well travelled journey with this poem. Thanks for sharing. Frederick.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks for your very thoughtful review Frederick. You how taken more from the poem than I intended but I suppose that's the way poetry works.
All the best,
Alan

[Red Brick Keshner]

Aye, not one shy to travel here. And as soon as a tangent offers itself, the road not taken is in fact traveled on. Meaning no disrespect to the original intent and meaning. Perhaps for the reader, symbols and cues can be so loaded that an added journey is a very tantalising option. And perhaps it is an opportunity for a reread. Thanks again for being a magnanimous host to your reader. Frederick.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks for all your time and amazingly thoughtful and pertinent input. You have certainly made me think about how words can be interpreted.
Thanks again.
Alan

[Lisasview]

Good morning Alan,
So "around and around and around we go"
Clever poem with what I see as hidden meanings to be discovered by each reader of your interesting poem...
Thank you for sharing,
Lisa, early morning in Spain

[alanwgraham]

Many thanks Lisa for reading this and your very thoughtful comments. I didn't deliberately make it enigmatic but I can see now that it is.
Hope all is well with you.
Best wishes,
Alan

[Lisasview]

You are most welcome Alan...
Things in Spain are amazing.
Lisa, originally from California

[Red Brick Keshner]

Janus, a second reading: the imagery connects to that of the film "Beautiful Boy" specially where the father relives each moment, in his case the suffering journey of his son's rehabs and relapses. At the end of the movie, it felt somewhat unresolved as in an 'everlasting spiral' and his 'rewinding tooblivion.' Apologies if this has yet again been taking more than was originally intended. And again, thanks for this offering. I have a bit of Icarian obsession, having written several over the years. Good travels, Frederick.

[JE Falcon]

"an everlasting spiral
rewinds to oblivion!" --- Ah, truer words were never spoken. This poem was a fun trip along the road to reincarnation, be it true, or not, it is rather logical idea where justice serves as its own reward. --- Have a great day.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks for your very astute review J. I've left the poem very open as you have realised.
Have a great day yourself,
Alan

[M. J. Smith]

The theory of reincarnation teaches that if we do not learn our life lessons we are sent back until we do. Then, and only then, can we ascend to a higher plane of existence. In a similar vein, if society does not learn from its history, it is doomed to repeat it. This is my takeaway from this poem. Of course, I could be wrong. After all, I'm just a half educated hillbilly.

[alanwgraham]

Ha ha M, half educated definitely not! I think your take on my poem is just fine.
Cheers,
read moreHa ha M, half educated definitely not! I think your take on my poem is just fine.
Cheers,
Alan

[Zoe Richardson]

I absolutely love the mythology references. Icarus and Janus are often mentioned in my poetry, too. To see both ways is to see in a circle. I can never decide if this is good or bad.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Zoe. They seem to be a focus for me too in a few of my scribblings. I am bipolar so looking at things from different directions is very close to the truth.
All the best,
Alan

[Zoe Richardson]

So am I. I think that's why I write about extremes, in both mood and imagery. I strive for balance, to see both sides, but I often fall into all or nothing instead.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I enjoyed this poem. I have always had a fondness to the God of duality. It echoes existence itself. Thank you for sharing this work of yours.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks for your kind review Carlos.
Take care,
Alan

[Ken Simm.]

Life eh? What is it. THe irony, metaphor and wit in this is simply astounding.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Ken for your generous words and apologies for missing your review at the time.
Cheers,Alan

[.]

How many times our hubris kind of overwhelming pride take us to downfall, no matter how our forefathers cautioned us of the imminent fall we keep gyrating over the falls belief time and again, which only observed by a two faced time. But it's like an endless fate that keep us moving... Bravo, very nicely written poem

[alanwgraham]

Thanks for your wise words Dreamer and sorry for missing your review at the time.
Ala

[.]

It's absolutely ok.... Take care

[Betty Hermelee]

I am probably taking this out of your context, but I see a society stuck in time waiting for someone (could be some power) to relieve us of this uncertainty (sudden toss of the dime), this "remorseless gyre"; where will the spiral leave us? ( I'm thinking more along the lines of our current political predicament); not so educated on the Bible!) Truly yours, Betty

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Betty and apologies for missing this. I was in a dark place at the time and thankfully firing on all cylinders again.
Regards,
Alan