A Box of Paradox

Weird ramblings of an overtaxed mind.

The living earth
houses dead
children beneath
her skin, and

in death greatness is
discovered by zealots
who spill blood
for a thirsty god,
and find themselves
revered in his place.

The child who was
wanted then wasn't,
its birth a gift
then a prison.

The old man's mind
no longer holds
his son's name. Yet
his sire still insists
on calling him father.

Is my clone really
me if it has
no memories?

A box of paradox
is tied up tight beneath
my bed, but I sleep
no better for it.

Reviews

[Muse]

After reading you I think of a fatherless or motherless child. The child's birth parents calling their existence a mistake...indifferent to the blessings of being a proud parent. But it's symbolic too. Perhaps it speaks of today's society? We like to create new things yet so many of us fail to nurture it. So when something doesn't turn out right, we run and hide, not wanting any part of it. However, it's funny how we are quick to stand up for the credit when it turns out exactly right. Rambling here, but that's what I do some mornings before fully awake. lol

[icelandicblue]

I think your thoughts have great validity. We are quick to want and discard. Life is filled with the ironic and senseless. Thanks Muse for commenting.

[Mark]

Hey, I followed this and it had meaning to me. Funny how minds work and we are so different but being human is still such a shared experience. How is it that we are lonely so much of the time??

[icelandicblue]

You are right...in a world with billions of people. The list is never ending i think. Thanks for your thoughts Mark.

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

I certainly hope I have no clones this is a wonderful write a little bit humorous yet a tad bit dark very good job

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for reading and commenting Chloe.

[Chloe..Across the Universe]

You are so very welcome everything I have read of years has been very well-written you are very did very good with your poetry someday maybe I can write Lol

[Trevor Jay Bloodworth]

Very interesting little spiral of questions and wondering you created.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for reading my questions without answers-(sine quaestionibus responsa).

[Trevor Jay Bloodworth]

Anytime, my friend.

[Tom]

Life is full of curious, convoluted, conundrums though as your interesting poem highlights, most are of mankind's own making !

A cleverly penned, philosophical, poetic, puzzler !

[icelandicblue]

Thanks for that Tom. I appreciate your alliteration too!

[Tom]

You're most welcome Ice'blue !

[Relic]

I see things and ask why all the time. Lots of those things are outside me but I question them anyway. I find myself saying all the time, I don't understand life. Its as though paths are predetermined ahead of time and people must live with those consequences whether they like them or not. I don't understand where the lessons are or if there even are lessons. Your examples are real and sad and makes one think. Great poem.

[icelandicblue]

You know it goes back to that book Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People? The world is filled with these questions and I'm with you, sometimes I don't know if there even is a lesson to be learned. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. ; )

[Relic]

No problem, you made me think.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

When one looks at man and sees both the greatness and the wretchedness within, it's no small wonder that religion teaches both a source of light and a source of dark. Thus, we are given a reason for these astonishing contradictions. Mythology and religion have all strived to explain this ultimate paradox of man; and as the mind wonders, so we remain.

Well done.

[icelandicblue]

Your insight is erudite. We strive to synthesize but the puzzle pieces do not always fit. Thank you.

[Baby Ricochet]

The second stanza is gold. Great poem blue

[icelandicblue]

Thanks BR appreciate it.

[Dr. Wood ?]

curiosity is a wonderful thing, it is what sets us apart....

[icelandicblue]

Isn't it now! Thanks Doc.

[Joiedevivre]

esoteric wisdom says, as do zen koans, that truth only exists in the merging of the paradox, thus revealing the wholeness of unity. I really enjoyed this read, made me reflect, ponder and re-read.

[icelandicblue]

So true- thank you for your enlightening response.