[lit-ideas] Re: Tuesday Poem
- From: "Lawrence Helm" <lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:06:53 -0700
Actually, I was ticked off at an unending discussion on another Listserv on
the meaning of Truth and Justice -- on and on. I didn't dare post that poem
on that listserv for fear I'd get caught up in it. There is an Arab saying
something along the lines of peace being a day's camel ride away meaning
something that is never where you are - something that is never going to be
found. And the my camel is smarter than your camel was intended to smack of
the contentiousness I had grown tired of.
In short, you are right. And I'll clean it up one of these days.
Lawrence
From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Mike Geary
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 7:29 PM
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Tuesday Poem
I like this poem, Lawrence. I really like the images. It reminds me for
some reason of Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" If you'll forgive my
presumptuousness, I'd ditch the title, much too grandiose, -- my first
reaction was Oh Christ, here we go again with the Truth and Justice bit --
and the last line has a scent of tendentiousness about it. I think a little
imagistic stiffening would help there. Leave 'em guessing. Thanks for
sharing it.
Yes, I hate people who make suggestions, too.
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: Lawrence <mailto:lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Helm
To: Lit-Ideas <mailto:Lit-Ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:19 PM
Subject: [lit-ideas] Tuesday Poem
Truth and Justice
The truth you ask, and justice?
They are a day's camel ride away.
Cinch your burnoose about you.
The wind will whip the sand.
The dunes will bleed in falls.
The way isn't clear, but
My camel knows the way.
There is an oasis a day's
Ride from here. You'll see
The shimmer and the palms
Bouncing in and out,
Even issuing from the desert
Edicts from all that
Eden portended.
And beyond that a castle,
Ruined by countless wars,
Stones from nowhere near
Anywhere we've been
Were used. It is a day's
Ride my camel knows.
Does yours?
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