One Hundred and Fifty-Five Sonnets - 41. shadows accross time

I am drawn to each of these in different ways. Number 81 is so present, so rooted in our own time, yet filled with a lesson for all times and places. If we seek new beginnings, then we must give up the parts of the past which hurt and dismay.

To have the slate wiped clean, and then the veil –

Mended; redrawn in gentle Mercy's name – 

These lines resonated with me, and I savored them, remembering when such things were done for my sake.

Number 82 is set deep in a past era, yet seems timeless in its tableaux. The sun, the shadow, the warmth of the beloved press to one's chest, these sing of a kind of peace and contentment sought eternally by every soul. There is a quality of light that radiates in this to my mind, yet you did this with so few words, it's uncanny. I shall have a visual of this poem for a long time to come.

81. don't believe in the living in the past.. look at it, learn, move on.  looking back just rakes up old better forgotten memories

82. oh what a picture this paints .. the boat, the sunset and the lovers..and music.. i can see it and it's beautiful 

two more beautiful poems for this amazing collection

20 hours ago, Parker Owens said:

I am drawn to each of these in different ways. Number 81 is so present, so rooted in our own time, yet filled with a lesson for all times and places. If we seek new beginnings, then we must give up the parts of the past which hurt and dismay.

To have the slate wiped clean, and then the veil –

Mended; redrawn in gentle Mercy's name – 

These lines resonated with me, and I savored them, remembering when such things were done for my sake.

 

Number 82 is set deep in a past era, yet seems timeless in its tableaux. The sun, the shadow, the warmth of the beloved press to one's chest, these sing of a kind of peace and contentment sought eternally by every soul. There is a quality of light that radiates in this to my mind, yet you did this with so few words, it's uncanny. I shall have a visual of this poem for a long time to come.

 

 

Thanks for your beautiful comments, my friend. Yes, the veil mended is sometimes the greatest comfort.

I appreciate you saying No. 82 can paint vividly with few words; that's very high praise. 

Thank you again, Parker.

17 hours ago, Mikiesboy said:

81. don't believe in the living in the past.. look at it, learn, move on.  looking back just rakes up old better forgotten memories

 

82. oh what a picture this paints .. the boat, the sunset and the lovers..and music.. i can see it and it's beautiful 

 

two more beautiful poems for this amazing collection

 

 

Your comments here make me see No. 82 really fits in a Romantic Poetry background. I don't think I was consciously aware of that when I wrote it, but it is the kind of scene-painting Byron or Shelley or Keats might employ to make their points. Thank you for that. 

Your ideas on No. 81 are apt; you come right to the heart of the poem.

Thanks for your comments, Tim. I always appreciate them.

Here are some comments I received from Lyssa.

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On 1/10/2018 at 8:46 AM, AC Benus said:

Dear AC,

Your Tony sonnets are very special to me. Here are my thoughts about No 81 and No 82.

No 81
Like I said, this poem is full of wise ideas. We often look in the past to seek truth. But there are only little pieces we can see. Sometimes they give us needed explanations, but truth is rarely absolute. To take knowing the past as a chance, but let it not prevent us to be in the now and look in the what can be, that is the task of living. I think, you captured this in a dialog between lovers. In my mind it is not spoken, more internal in one of them. Awesome!

No.82
Love is as old as mankind. And so we connect through epochs and centuries. You took us on a time travel. I could hear the flute, scent the river and the ripe fruits in Egypt's gardens... a hint of desert in the air. The picture forms in my mind. This poem is magnificent and I wouldn't wonder if somewhere there are still hidden Hieroglyphs which tell a similar story.

 

Thank you, Lyssa, for your dear comments. With No. 81, an internal dialogue between two lovers, where words are not needed - perfect. You humble me with this description, and I appreciate it a great deal. It seems to speak of the ideal connection and way in which those in love can be peaceful.

For No. 82, your comments are beautiful. I think you make me see a bit clearer into this poem; when I was growing as a poet I taken with Romantic era poetry, and here you invite me to see how I have internalized the means my idols, like Keats and Shelley, used to convey their feelings. I thank you deeply for that.

Thanks again, sister.  

I don't believe in visiting the past, maybe for quick reminders of some good times. Mostly it's best left alone.

The second made me think of Egypt. ..red sunsets, the pyramids ...a man with his favourite boy, the beloved one, tight against each other. ..it's a beautiful scene in my mind. 

Two vivid poems each painting beautiful pictures.

On 2/20/2018 at 8:47 PM, MichaelS36 said:

I don't believe in visiting the past, maybe for quick reminders of some good times. Mostly it's best left alone.

 

The second made me think of Egypt. ..red sunsets, the pyramids ...a man with his favourite boy, the beloved one, tight against each other. ..it's a beautiful scene in my mind. 

Two vivid poems each painting beautiful pictures.

Thank you, Mike, for these wonderful comments. You are right; the past as a place to visit for happy occurrences can be a rewarding destination. But to harbor on bygone misery is detrimental to any of us. 

So your comment makes me ponder on the reflection in No. 82. Blissful and calm, yes, but ultimately is it a constructive thing to remember? 

Anyway, I sincerely thank you again for reading my work. It means a great deal to me.