for Christa
The Union
of who one is
and who one ought to be
is consummated by suffering.
At times, he who sins against his brother
has forgotten what he has been given.
At other times, it is simple failure.
I can imagine two who, before Babel
enjoyed the benefits of like speech –
understanding, agreement, even laughter.
Now the great event has come,
parting in two even those from
the same womb.
And they just make sounds high and low,
sharp and flat, in the native tongue
that all men know: silence.
Between Cain & Abel
are 1,000,000,000 Milky Ways.
"Of who one is
ReplyDeleteAnd who one ought to be
Is consummated by suffering."
How my heart cherishes this truth like a precious jewel found in the middle of a field. I want to buy this field. To buy this field is the hard labor of work I will pour out my very being, like a drink offering, to obtain.
...then I shall grow a garden.
-Christa
I can really grasp the concepts of this poem and for that I find it beautiful. I really appreciated what you said on the other post about my abilities to critique and grasp the fullness of art pieces, but alas poetry is an art form that I find very hard to understand. Music lyrics can be the same way for me too. Your poem on Jesus Christ is one that I couldn't fully grasp, though I could probably make some educated comments. Hehe! This one I feel I can understand better, and mostly because we discussed things on Saturday! You were right about the last line, it is punchy and profound as well as deeply sorrowful. I will admit it makes my eyes watery. I also love Christa's comment, which reads like poetry in itself. I have been coming to understand the meaning of those first three lines of your poem of late.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem, Ana! :-)
Thank you for your comments <3
ReplyDeleteChrista's comment is like poetry :) My poem Jesus Christ is certainly more about a feeling and less disclosed. This poem comes naturally grew out of my reading of Rumi - I feel his writing is clear and emotional. I appreciate that greatly, though I also like the search for treasure-truths in more cryptic poems :) Though at times I need help from history and other wise people to help in the deciphering.
The Phoenix and the Turtle is an example, by Shakespeare. It is not immediately certain what in the world he is talking about. But upon close examination, it can be seen that he is envisioning the union of Truth and Beauty and longing for it to be so, instead of woefully pondering that they are forever to be in tension (my depressing interpretation.)
:)
Yes, I like Rumi's poetry a lot and it is that style, clear, but beautiful, that I love and can understand. I don't mind diving into a somewhat cryptic book or movie, but if it is poetry, I just can't do it. My brain immediately shuts down. Haha. I love poetry that captures the essence of a thing and drives it deep, rich, and clear into your heart and mind. Actually I like that in all forms of art and I admire artists who can arrange form in such a clear, concise, skillful, and genius way that it drives content straight into the heart, like hitting a perfect bullseye. Hehe! But I can also enjoy interpreting and reading histories and comments from other wise people, just not as much.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't read The Phoenix and the Turtle and I looked it up and my brain was like "Nope." Haha. Shakespeare and I have never gotten along. His words make my head a'splode. Taming of the Shrew is the only play of his I could read, and even then I am aware I have not understood the full of its meanings. So is your interpretation of his sonnet one that isn't widely accepted? Is it one of those things that has multiple interpretations that people have been pondering for centuries? Haha!