Aleksandra Posted May 20, 2009 Posted May 20, 2009 ..........................Sweetheart, I see your eyes ....watching a different sky, ........a sweetness in another sphere. And me – ....I’m down here, sunk in mud ........with a choking throat, like a dying ember; I refuse to cry. ....But dearest, can’t you picture ........my wrinkled skin, my topsy-turvy mind ........and the deserted fields, where I walk alone ....in silence, moving as a moon at night? ..........................Rote, pain even more -- ........should I remember your name when I’m in my grave? The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth - Jean Cocteau History of Macedonia
dr_con Posted May 20, 2009 Posted May 20, 2009 A dark and fascinating journey, well crafted and filled with the kind of images that fire the poetic imagination. Rote, pain even more -- threw me, not because it is incorrect, but because it is rarely used in modern american english. Still a good word choice, although I wonder if there may be a better one (?) Hmmm, will think on it... Man am I tired, and on the only day I care about in this consumer season The eve, as it were;-) May you all bask in potential! DC thegateless.org
Aleksandra Posted May 20, 2009 Author Posted May 20, 2009 Thank you Dr.Con for your best wishes, and sorry that you are tired. But you will handle with all of that, I am sure ;). About the word " Rote " you mean? Yes it is strange, but means exactly what I want to say here. So yes, maybe there is better word too, but for me, exactly that fact that is not so common - modern word, made me to use the same one. So always there is option for better words and so on, and also, always the poem can be better and better, right? So we are here to work, and work - and enjoy of course :). Thank you for your thoughts. They make me think, and they give me energy to work more. Enjoy the holidays DC. Aleksandra The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth - Jean Cocteau History of Macedonia
tonyv Posted May 20, 2009 Posted May 20, 2009 As usual, your poem is packed with fresh imagery and expressions, Alek. The eyes of the beloved watching a different sky/a sweetness in another sphere, is juxtaposed with the narrator being sunk in mud/with a choking throat, like a dying ember. Nevertheless, there's a defiance exhibited by the narrator when she declares, "I refuse to cry." This part is especially lovely: .... But dearest , can’t you picture ........my wrinkled skin, my topsy-turvy mind ........and the deserted fields, where I walk alone ....in silence, moving as a moon at night? I like your unusual choice of the archaic but somehow strong Anglo-Saxon word rote. I think it adds to the poem's overall strength. I also like how the poem looks on the page/screen; its layout and typography give it the semblance of a letter. The title is powerful. After all, dirt is what is used to fill the grave mentioned in the last line. Tony Here is a link to an index of my works on this site: tonyv's Member Archive topic
goldenlangur Posted May 20, 2009 Posted May 20, 2009 Hello Aleksandra, What a bitter-sweet tone your poem has, full of ironic twists and turns of images and their resonance. There's a pervading sense that everything that ought to be comforting, edifying and beautiful is tainted with darkness and melancholy: The poem is a poignant dirge-like reflection. I see your eyes ....watching a different sky, ........a sweetness in another sphere. And me – ....I’m down here, sunk in mud ........with a choking throat, like a dying ember; And also: Rote, pain even more -- ........should I remember your name when I’m in my grave? The final question is unanswerable and embodies the sorrowful leitmotif of the poem. Magnificent and quite unforgettable. goldenlangur goldenlangur Even a single enemy is too many and a thousand friends too few - Bhutanese saying.
Lake Posted May 20, 2009 Posted May 20, 2009 Melancholy. I find these two lines are striking: watching a different sky, moving as a moon at night? Well done. Lake
Aleksandra Posted May 20, 2009 Author Posted May 20, 2009 As usual, your poem is packed with fresh imagery and expressions, Alek. The eyes of the beloved watching a different sky/a sweetness in another sphere, is juxtaposed with the narrator being sunk in mud/with a choking throat, like a dying ember. Nevertheless, there's a defiance exhibited by the narrator when she declares, "I refuse to cry." This part is especially lovely: .... But dearest , can't you picture ........my wrinkled skin, my topsy-turvy mind ........and the deserted fields, where I walk alone ....in silence, moving as a moon at night? I like your unusual choice of the archaic but somehow strong Anglo-Saxon word rote. I think it adds to the poem's overall strength. I also like how the poem looks on the page/screen; its layout and typography give it the semblance of a letter. The title is powerful. After all, dirt is what is used to fill the grave mentioned in the last line. Tony Tony thank you for yours, always beautiful words, and I must say, thank you for your help of choosing the title ;), glad that you explained your thoughts about. I share your thought for the word rote Tony, it works the same for me, thats why I used the same. PS: I am still on the way to make some metrical poem Tony ;). But not this year, but the next one Aleksandra The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth - Jean Cocteau History of Macedonia
Aleksandra Posted May 20, 2009 Author Posted May 20, 2009 Hello Aleksandra, What a bitter-sweet tone your poem has, full of ironic twists and turns of images and their resonance. There's a pervading sense that everything that ought to be comforting, edifying and beautiful is tainted with darkness and melancholy: The poem is a poignant dirge-like reflection. I see your eyes ....watching a different sky, ........a sweetness in another sphere. And me – ....I'm down here, sunk in mud ........with a choking throat, like a dying ember; And also: Rote, pain even more -- ........should I remember your name when I'm in my grave? The final question is unanswerable and embodies the sorrowful leitmotif of the poem. Magnificent and quite unforgettable. goldenlangur Goldenlangur, like always, I love your interpretation of the poems of others. Thank you for your compliments on my poem. I am satisfied with your comment. Glad that this poem took your attention as well. ALeksandra The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth - Jean Cocteau History of Macedonia
Aleksandra Posted May 20, 2009 Author Posted May 20, 2009 Melancholy. I find these two lines are striking: watching a different sky, moving as a moon at night? Well done. Lake Thank you Lake. Glad the poem works for you ;). Those lines are the inspiration for the poem. Aleksandra The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth - Jean Cocteau History of Macedonia
JoelJosol Posted May 20, 2009 Posted May 20, 2009 The most painful line for me watching a different sky argh! "Words are not things, and yet they are not non-things either." - Ann Lauterbach
Aleksandra Posted May 20, 2009 Author Posted May 20, 2009 I guess so :). It is for me too. Thanks for reading Joel. Aleksandra The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth - Jean Cocteau History of Macedonia
Bloodyday Posted May 20, 2009 Posted May 20, 2009 too many poems to read here, and i couldn't decide which one to read first! I see your eyes watching a different sky, a sweetness in another sphere. while reading these first three verses, suddenly a song came in my mind which has the lyrics like below: See the mirror in your eyes; See the truth behind your lies Your lies are haunting me See the reason in your eyes Giving answer to the why: Your eyes are haunting me! -Armin Van Buuren i don't know why did it happen but reading you poem several times, i couldn't get ride of this song from my brain. it is automatically playing in my mind continuously! certainly a great work, Alek!
Aleksandra Posted May 20, 2009 Author Posted May 20, 2009 Hello Bloodyday. Nice to see you around again. Thank you for reading this poem and commenting. Yes many poems were posted here while you weren't here. Isn't that nice? I am happy because of that. Glad you like this poem my friend. Aleksandra The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth - Jean Cocteau History of Macedonia
douglas Posted May 20, 2009 Posted May 20, 2009 i was thinking to myself - now when i write a message to alex, which stanza shall i choose as my favorite, the one that stood out the most - and then i realized that the whole poem is so beautifully linked. it flows effortlessly from image to image and thought/feeling to thought/feeling. it is soft, melancholy, romantic, stark and lovely all at the same time! very well written, one of your best in my opinion! thank you my dear! To receive love, you have to give it...
badger11 Posted May 20, 2009 Posted May 20, 2009 But dearest, can’t you picture my wrinkled skin, my topsy-turvy mind and the deserted fields, where I walk alone lovely evocative lines Aleks badge
Aleksandra Posted May 20, 2009 Author Posted May 20, 2009 i was thinking to myself - now when i write a message to alex, which stanza shall i choose as my favorite, the one that stood out the most - and then i realized that the whole poem is so beautifully linked. it flows effortlessly from image to image and thought/feeling to thought/feeling. it is soft, melancholy, romantic, stark and lovely all at the same time! very well written, one of your best in my opinion! thank you my dear! Ah sweet Doug :D . Look at you, how handsome you look in Australia :) . Thank you for your lovely comment. I am pleased that you think that this poem is one of my best. Nice to have you around dear Douglas. Aleksandra The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth - Jean Cocteau History of Macedonia
Aleksandra Posted May 20, 2009 Author Posted May 20, 2009 But dearest, can't you picture my wrinkled skin, my topsy-turvy mind and the deserted fields, where I walk alone lovely evocative lines Aleks badge Thanks badge. Thank you for the wonderful expression for my lines. I am happy reading all your wonderful comments. Aleksandra The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth - Jean Cocteau History of Macedonia
Recommended Posts