Twenty-Two Early Poems - 6. Ashes

AC, more great poetry, though the last two speak to me more than the first.
And again I had to look up raison... but i'm glad i did... 17 is wonderful!
No. 18, is sad ... quite suicidal, at least that's what it says to me. And mediocrity, I think is why a lot of people choose that option.
Having had the opportunity to get to know you a little bit AC, I'd say mediocrity is something you dislike in yourself - it shows in your writing.
I like these older works of yours.. flashes of the writer you will become....

tim

On 10/05/2015 07:25 AM, Mikiesboy said:

AC, more great poetry, though the last two speak to me more than the first.

And again I had to look up raison... but i'm glad i did... 17 is wonderful!

No. 18, is sad ... quite suicidal, at least that's what it says to me. And mediocrity, I think is why a lot of people choose that option.

Having had the opportunity to get to know you a little bit AC, I'd say mediocrity is something you dislike in yourself - it shows in your writing.

I like these older works of yours.. flashes of the writer you will become....

tim

Thank you, Tim. First year of college I was truly lonely and felt isolated. For some reason that feeling would come on the strongest during breakfast. I had 4 days a week where my first classes started at 8:30, and the café would be abandoned at that time.

Nos. 16 and 17 were both written while I sat alone, still half-sleep and very depressed in the empty cafeteria in the morning.

Your interpretation on what no. 18 is about is spot on….

Thanks for the insightful review, Tim….appreciate it

A bit sad these, but lovely to read nevertheless. I did think depression and loneliness, and you and Tim confirmed that.

On 10/05/2015 08:03 AM, Defiance19 said:

A bit sad these, but lovely to read nevertheless. I did think depression and loneliness, and you and Tim confirmed that.

Thank you, Defiance19! I appreciate your review and ongoing support!

#18 resonates... it is sad and quite beautiful... a moment of melancholy and introspection is what I got from it... cheers... Gary...

When reading No. 16 for the first time, the phrase "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" bubbles up, giving a mindset for grieve and sadness. But ashes have positive aspects as well. The foundation for new growth and even the harbinger of sustained life - be it six weeks later. So the mindset changes to one of happy survival.

I loved the first line of no. 17. Pronounced it and discovered gymnastics for the tongue !
The Raison of gold is like the pot with the same precious metal, we seek, but will not find. The seeking itself is the Raison.

I'll let no. 18 sleep, as I cannot add anything that isn't said yet. A beauty.

Thanks again, AC.

On 10/05/2015 03:56 PM, Headstall said:

#18 resonates... it is sad and quite beautiful... a moment of melancholy and introspection is what I got from it... cheers... Gary...

Thank you, Gary. I like your experience with No. 18, it's lovely. Thanks for the review, I appreciate it!

On 10/06/2015 05:43 AM, J.HunterDunn said:

When reading No. 16 for the first time, the phrase "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" bubbles up, giving a mindset for grieve and sadness. But ashes have positive aspects as well. The foundation for new growth and even the harbinger of sustained life - be it six weeks later. So the mindset changes to one of happy survival.

 

I loved the first line of no. 17. Pronounced it and discovered gymnastics for the tongue !

The Raison of gold is like the pot with the same precious metal, we seek, but will not find. The seeking itself is the Raison.

 

I'll let no. 18 sleep, as I cannot add anything that isn't said yet. A beauty.

 

Thanks again, AC.

Thank you, Peter, for a beautiful review. You make me smile to think about your gymnastics for the tongue, and I loved the pot of gold analogy.

As for the experiences you had with the poems, I really appreciate you sharing. Your take on No. 16 is particularly engaging; thank you!