Disasters, Delights and Other Detours - 78. September Sonnet

39 minutes ago, Headstall said:

Beautifully said. A call to arms I hope is heeded. I would link arms with you, Parker. 

Ben Franklin was never more right: we must hang together, or we will surely be hung separately. Thank you for reading this. 

Fitting words and strong imagery to remind us the importance of solidarity and cooperation in these strange times we live in. Thanks for writing :)!

Act for the common good ...

Seeing the title, you might think of autumnal colours, ripe fruit and veg. Instead, it is rightly about a blight, a lurid infection which threatens so much our community relies on.  ❤️ ❤️

#DidYouPayMoreTaxesThanTrump?

5 hours ago, BDANR said:

Fitting words and strong imagery to remind us the importance of solidarity and cooperation in these strange times we live in. Thanks for writing :)!

I’m very grateful you read this. It seems there are so many ways in which we are encouraged into “apartness.” Remembering shared humanity and common purpose may help us all climb out of this pandemic world, one day. 

4 hours ago, dughlas said:

Act for the common good ...

You say it precisely. Hugs and thanks. 

2 hours ago, northie said:

Seeing the title, you might think of autumnal colours, ripe fruit and veg. Instead, it is rightly about a blight, a lurid infection which threatens so much our community relies on.  ❤️ ❤️

#DidYouPayMoreTaxesThanTrump?

For a teacher like me, the current vogue for convenient fabrications and partial truths is enough to make me weep. Combined with the injustices fueled by public avarice, it seems impossible to remain passive or silent. Thank you for reading this, and for your comments. 

It's a beautiful idea and a wonderful poem.  I don't have much faith in humanity anymore though.

5 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

It's a beautiful idea and a wonderful poem.  I don't have much faith in humanity anymore though.

Thank you for reading this. Some days can be hard on my faith in my fellow human beings. Others make me want to link arms, as in this poem. Or offer hugs. 

Ah Parker!

Oft your verse to me

reveals a kind and gentle soul

imbued with sweet melancholy.

Would I were near to hold

your cares to soothe.

Although from your prose

Aquinas props my thesis,

darker tales than those

contend catharsis.

Would I dire memories could salve.

But these September lines reveal,

penned with just conviction,

a core of life-forged steel

bright with grim prediction.

Would that I have strength to walk arm in arm with you.

3 hours ago, Pedro1954 said:

Ah Parker!

Oft your verse to me

reveals a kind and gentle soul

imbued with sweet melancholy.

Would I were near to hold

your cares to soothe.

 

Although from your prose

Aquinas props my thesis,

darker tales than those

contend catharsis.

Would I dire memories could salve.

 

But these September lines reveal,

penned with just conviction,

a core of life-forged steel

bright with dire prediction.

Would that I have strength to walk arm in arm with you.

 

 

 

I’m humbled by your response to this. Your poem marked a wonderful beginning to the day. It’s marvelous. Even though we are separated by miles, I know we march together. Thank you for reading this, and for your awesome reflection. 

Thank you for your kind and generous comments that also reinforce my view of the man I think you are.

Your sonnet demanded that I make an effort with my response and not just regurgitate the thoughts of others in my normal, lazy, manner.

——

Pooh! I’ve spotted yet another typo - it should be ‘grim’ in the penultimate line not ‘dire’.

49 minutes ago, Pedro1954 said:

Pooh! I’ve spotted yet another typo - it should be ‘grim’ in the penultimate line not ‘dire’.

Both words work, from my point of view. I find poetry can move my heart and my hands and my head. That it might have done the same for you makes me smile. 

No doubting your meaning here. I plan to stand and fight as well, if need be.

I am reminded of other calls in other times, all of which sought to warn and awaken, to gird and fortify, and to bring together those of similar spirit.

Well done.

3 hours ago, Geron Kees said:

No doubting your meaning here. I plan to stand and fight as well, if need be.

I am reminded of other calls in other times, all of which sought to warn and awaken, to gird and fortify, and to bring together those of similar spirit.

Well done.

Thank you very much. If enough of us ring the warning bells, perhaps even the sleepiest will wake to the danger. I’m glad we’re standing together.