That Princely Tide

That Princely Tide

A Poem by Mark
"

Inspired by Pat Conroy's book of similar title, which I have finally undertaken, twenty years too late, to read...

"

Southernness  is the beckoning moon ,
   And whithersoever we would go 'pon the Earth
   Her subtly sinister sibilance inhabits our mirth,
Within her delusional, denial-sickened womb.

 

Within her unwelcoming embrace,
   Immersing our souls in decaying afterbirth
   Depriving all but the stalwart of pride or worth,
Or of the simple will to wipe our face.

 

And so, she laughs (though she would weep)
   Considering sullied oats her craft has sown;

 

The secrets of her sickness we must keep,
   That princely tide that all of us have known,

 

And that crop of bitterness I now reap--
   I, from whom love and laughter have fin'ly flown!

 

Mark Teague

September 30, 2010

© 2011 Mark


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Reviews

Yes indeed, that is definitely what you have written and I do stand corrected. Very nice.

Posted 11 Years Ago


here's something you don't see very often. a truly finely crafted poem. reminds me of the arts and crafts movement in design, where all the joints, hinges, and inner workings became part of the design, proudly displayed. here you're pulling out all the stops in displaying rhyme, pattern, alliteration and language. i wouldn't even attempt something like this. great job.

Posted 12 Years Ago


Mark

12 Years Ago

Mighty high praise from a writer whose work I so admire! Thank you Bob, most sincerely. See note at .. read more
I had to read this over until I understood the meter, or rather, accepted it .. between start and finish I heard a touch of Spenser, enjoyed your ready use of language, ' .. And so she laughs (though she would weep) ~ Considering sullied oats her craft has sown; '

As ever and always you create pictures in the reader's mind, in this instance rather bleak ones ..

Posted 13 Years Ago


I have not read this one before. I was expecting the rhyme scheme to continue with the middle verses ending in irth, and a four line stanza, but this works fine as it is. Nothing seems forced, and it flows (message and word flow) off the page and into our minds.

Great Job Mark!

Mark

Posted 13 Years Ago


Mark

12 Years Ago

Mark, I was shooting for a sonnet here--as well you know, my favorite form--but didn't realize unti.. read more
I could hear B.B. King singing The Thrill is Gone as I read. The fluid movement and word choice is lovely, and the images stick in and hold like barbed hooks. Beautifully crafted expression of pain.
Cheers!
R.G.

Posted 13 Years Ago


You create such a visually stunning, rich feel to this one. The last lines just were overwhelming with the emotion of experience.. the pain of existence... Powerful, Mark.

Posted 13 Years Ago


Wow, this is wonderful! I loved the form of it, it reminded me of older poets. And a very in-depth mental wandring of the moon. Great job!

Posted 13 Years Ago


This one I read, then read again standing and speaking it out loud..... so elegant words....marvelous choices and smoothly placed together. well done!

Posted 14 Years Ago


Interesting differences in us here you use much larger uncommon phrsing here than I DOI But the rythme is good I like the style but dont recognise it Perhaps it is your own Just as I dont use periods or punctuation

Posted 14 Years Ago


The veil of sorrow can hide so many secrets; and once rent, it reveals the undeniable ugliness that resides within mankind. Here, the Southern myth is an illusion torn to shreds - a mask removed to reveal the darkness within.

Great job.

Linda Marie

Posted 14 Years Ago



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516 Views
10 Reviews
Rating
Shelved in 2 Libraries
Added on September 30, 2010
Last Updated on April 7, 2011
Tags: princely, tide, south, southern, southernness

Author

Mark
Mark

Las Vegas, NV



About
Writing, for me, has always been the friend who brought out the best in me, and who would never argue with me, except when necessary to point out my many obvious inconsistancies. Writing and.. more..

Writing
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