We who with songs beguile your pilgrimage / And swear that Beauty lives though lilies die, / We Poets of the proud old lineage / Who sing to find your hearts, we know not why ... (James Elroy Flecker)

21.2.18

No More Adventuring

For the (fictional) series, "Edges".
His Voice 



No More Adventuring

The same bodies around the table,
the same faces peering from the windows,
either too early or late for that big event
called life – really living. The owner of the place
is ailing and the others just milling about.
Even the rain, throwing them together,
fails to create a bonding against
the world out there, of trade and greed.
They delay their departure longer each year,
too anxious and afraid to keep seeking the Grail.
Also used for April 2018 Poetry Month, day 10

 Linked to the Tuesday Platform for 10 April 2018 at "imaginary garden with real toads".

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28 comments:

  1. Susan22 February 2018 at 00:23

    And yet, this is the edge we must live on, in hope that the bonding will allay the fear. And at times, it does, precious moments that make the reality you describe so clear.

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade22 February 2018 at 10:53

      Precious moments indeed. But will they serve sufficiently?

      Delete
  2. Unknown22 February 2018 at 09:28

    strangely dark

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade22 February 2018 at 10:51

      The danger of giving up in despair – as many are inclined to do at this time.

      Delete
  3. Sherry Blue Sky22 February 2018 at 15:28

    I like the idea of bonding against the trade and fear. A new voice in this poem, my friend.

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  4. Jae Rose10 April 2018 at 17:43

    Learning to live is a true gift.. beautifully written

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  5. Sanaa Rizvi10 April 2018 at 19:55

    I love the voice in this poem 💞 and the idea of bonding against trade and fear. Beautifully rendered.

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  6. Paul John Dear10 April 2018 at 20:00

    Anxiety and fear are the twins that bind freedom. Break the shackles every day.

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  7. Margaret10 April 2018 at 22:19

    Even the rain - trapped they are. Makes me want to tell them to grab breakfast on the fly and run out into that rain! Change the routine and grab life!

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  8. hyperCRYPTICal10 April 2018 at 22:34

    Yes, the bond is dissipating...oh that we find it again.
    Anna :o]

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  9. Sherry Blue Sky10 April 2018 at 22:39

    Love Paul's comment. Tactics of keeping people afraid and ineffective seem to work well for the tyrants.

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  10. Anonymous11 April 2018 at 00:27

    for me this conjures images of the gathering before a death - the congregants all carrying their own memories and anxieties, feuds and friendships - its a very human poem Rosemary - some must be still be seeking in their peering out

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  11. Ellecee11 April 2018 at 02:33

    It IS hard not to become one of those bodies "around the table. and takes even more determination to work at "– really living" Thanks for your insight, well written,,

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  12. Cressida de Nova11 April 2018 at 02:40

    Doom and gloom is being thrown at us from all directions.
    Fight back by refusing to yield to despair.



    ReplyDelete
  13. Carrie Van Horn11 April 2018 at 02:57

    Sometimes the truth is bleak, but with truth spoken there is opportunity to seek a change.

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  14. annell411 April 2018 at 03:03

    There is reason for fear!!

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  15. Neeraj Khanka11 April 2018 at 03:46

    Fear of the unknown and being too comfortable in present situation - always stop from going further.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Magaly Guerrero11 April 2018 at 04:28

    Some days, enough feels like more than enough, but...

    ...a way will be found.

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  17. tonispencer11 April 2018 at 04:32

    Wonderful voice in this. Afraid to keep seeking the Grail but, it seems they will anyway!

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  18. Gillena Cox11 April 2018 at 04:37

    There is a skillfully crafted despair in these line, applause!!!

    "Even the rain, throwing them together,
    fails to create a bonding against
    the world out there, of trade and greed."

    much love...

    ReplyDelete
  19. Timoteo11 April 2018 at 05:39

    I love it when you wax philosophical. This one says so much about so many things in so few lines (an economy of verbiage, as I like to say). You continue to WOW me!

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  20. Kim M. Russell11 April 2018 at 06:10

    I like the angst in this poem, Rosemary, and the way it achieves what the rain cannot.

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  21. Thotpurge11 April 2018 at 12:02

    Even the rain..brilliantly crafted...creates such an atmosphere.

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  22. Jim11 April 2018 at 14:52

    I like this Rosemary. People pretty loose. It reminds me of my sister's news from Nebraska. The Nursing home in our old home town went bankrupt. Probably it will have to close. In the adjacent town the city owns the nursing home. Of ours though, the employees are staying on, I don't know what kind of a pay arrangement they have made. Most people can't afford to work for nothing.
    ..

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  23. M. A. S.11 April 2018 at 15:22

    The little bit about "trade and greed" really stick with me. It's almost too real.

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  24. Rommy11 April 2018 at 20:32

    The emptiness from the fake bonding mixed with the fear of the unknown leaves a strong impression.

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  25. Mary (Wilds of Idaho)16 April 2018 at 00:04

    Thank you for commenting on my sister's poem. She said she tried commenting back but couldn't. Sorry but she is new at blogging.

    your poem is sad, the lives half-lived, a story of many.

    ReplyDelete

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