Not My Conundrum

(Thomas Hardy - Far From The Madding Crowd)

Somehow that expression

two wrongs don't make a right

has stuck

Like being in a rut

a stylus not moving

from the same vinyl groove

When Gabriel Oak

was roused by ringing sheep bells

he set off in pursuit

To find that his younger dog

had driven his flock 

over a Dorset cliff edge

Their carcasses lay

strewn below, two hundred ewes

heavy with prospective lambs

Dead or dying

left to the cleansing mercy

of the incoming tide

I don't know why

I sobbed in silence for the sheep

at sixteen in my cinema seat

But I cried out loud

when that young collie who lacked

comprehension was shot to death

That was my first understanding

of two wrongs don't make a right

still rigid in my much older head

And I tell myself

there is no way I can condone

the taking of life as retribution

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

I must say you were quite mature at that age to make that analogy……which in my opinion the right way to note about it…retribution is not the way to solve problems….an aye for an eye may have been the way in ancient times, but not in today’s reality…. A very astute poem with a deep understanding of right and wrong…..
Excellent!
Best
B.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Betty. That film became a turning point for me. Retribution by taking the life of another just doesn’t work for me. Have a wonderful Sunday, I am so pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re so very welcome Chris, hope you had a lovely weekend!
Best, B

[Melinda McQueen]

What a deep poem. It spoke volumes to taking note of certain standards.
Nicely done.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Melinda for your review. Pleased you stopped by today.

Chris

[Mauricio Montoya]

Wow Chris I love the first stanza, I began to read the first line been there done that but what came broken record, stuck in a rut ,as the music playing, but I'm at at a loss as I keep on reading, it's another story yet I want to keep on and follow the meaning because you have a way of bringing words together with flow but holds interest.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mauricio for your lovely encouraging review. It is good to see you again my friend.

Chris

[Mauricio Montoya]

Hey I want to write something good, it's been awhile but I see you haven't lost your touch 💕

[Chris Shaw]

Too kind you are by far :)

[W. Barrett Munn]

Amazing piece, here Chris. Really excellent.

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Winston for your kindness. Have a wonderful Sunday.

Chris

[Neville]

My word, tou just nailed it Chris .. made me stop and ponder so ya did & muchly :)

[Chris Shaw]

Never forgotten this film for so many reasons. The original with Julie Christie, Alan Bates.Terence Stamp and Peter Finch was by far the best. The scene with the sheep and the sheep dog has never left me. I of course wanted to be Julie Christie. Neville, a big thank you.

Chris

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Oh to have been the eyes and pen of Thomas Hardy as he wrote about his countrymen. Dear Chris you have brought me back to the dark relationship of Gabriel and Bathsheba, of the Dorset of old, of the bad decisions people made in their struggle to survive. Great title and verses that evoke the death of innocents as Hardy writ. Your emotive words convey the horror you felt as a child in reading about the slaughter- the heinous belief of an ‘eye for an eye’, and the lesson you learned. Beautifully told and written my friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Sorry for the very late response Annette. I love Thomas Hardy, and Far From the Madding Crowd was one of my all time favourite books as well as film. I have to say I preferred the 1967 film to the more recent one. Terence Stamp, Julie Christie and Alan Bates were superb.

Chris

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Yes I so agree with you. Thomas Hardy is a favorite of mine too.:))

[Jimmy Yetts]

Sixteen has come and gone but, judging by your poetry, the tenderness of your heart has certainly remained.
Who does not admire a tenderhearted woman?
Poignant and meaningful narrative, good poetess!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy, what a lovely response. I so appreciate your kind words.

Chris

[Norman 223]

Having served in the Army in Germany, soon after the war, I learned that the "enemy" also lost loved ones .
They were basically decent human beings who had been caught up in a dogma that retribution was justifiable. It was then that I realised that two wrongs do not make a right, but equally being too righteous may not stop the wrong. Understanding is a complicated process, but your final stanza gives us all food for thought.
Norman

[Chris Shaw]

Such wisdom in your response Norman. I thank you so much.

Chris

[Kelly Scheppers]

All life is worthy. Even the little goldfish that lies dormant in a cigar box in my ten year old mind. You polished this to a most brilliant shine, Chris, and I wholeheartedly agree with every affirmation!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Kelly so much. Your response pleases me no end.

Chris

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

A hard lesson...all life is worthy...Im afraid of this world! Thank you Christine! It is emotionally powerful!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Queenie, I also believe in the worthiness of life.

Chris