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!
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.
Thanks for your very thoughtful review Frederick. You how taken more from the poem than I intended b.. read moreThanks 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
2 Years Ago
Aye, not one shy to travel here. And as soon as a tangent offers itself, the road not taken is in fa.. read moreAye, 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.
2 Years Ago
Thanks for all your time and amazingly thoughtful and pertinent input. You have certainly made me th.. read moreThanks 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
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
Posted 2 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
2 Years Ago
Many thanks Lisa for reading this and your very thoughtful comments. I didn't deliberately make it e.. read moreMany 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
2 Years Ago
You are most welcome Alan...
Things in Spain are amazing.
Lisa, originally from Calif.. read moreYou are most welcome Alan...
Things in Spain are amazing.
Lisa, originally from California
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.
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.
Thanks for your very thoughtful review Frederick. You how taken more from the poem than I intended b.. read moreThanks 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
2 Years Ago
Aye, not one shy to travel here. And as soon as a tangent offers itself, the road not taken is in fa.. read moreAye, 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.
2 Years Ago
Thanks for all your time and amazingly thoughtful and pertinent input. You have certainly made me th.. read moreThanks 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
"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.
Posted 2 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
2 Years Ago
Thanks for your very astute review J. I've left the poem very open as you have realised.
Have.. read moreThanks for your very astute review J. I've left the poem very open as you have realised.
Have a great day yourself,
Alan
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.
Posted 2 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
2 Years Ago
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
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.
Posted 3 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
3 Years Ago
Thanks Zoe. They seem to be a focus for me too in a few of my scribblings. I am bipolar so looking a.. read moreThanks 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
3 Years Ago
So am I. I think that's why I write about extremes, in both mood and imagery. I strive for balance, .. read moreSo 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.
Life eh? What is it. THe irony, metaphor and wit in this is simply astounding.
Posted 3 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
3 Years Ago
Thanks Ken for your generous words and apologies for missing your review at the time.
Cheers.. read moreThanks 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
Posted 3 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
3 Years Ago
Thanks for your wise words Dreamer and sorry for missing your review at the time.
Ala
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
Posted 3 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
3 Years Ago
Thanks Betty and apologies for missing this. I was in a dark place at the time and thankfully firin.. read moreThanks Betty and apologies for missing this. I was in a dark place at the time and thankfully firing on all cylinders again.
Regards,
Alan
Married with three kids, I retired early from teaching physics but have always enjoyed mountains. In my forties I experienced a manic episode which kick-started a creative urge. I've written a novel .. more..