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Open Poetry #40
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California

0 posted 2007-01-12 04:01 PM



A Pale Horse


Prancing stallion, vaunted steed,
Receiver of Destiny’s deed.
Unbridled courage your forte,
The first thing to be stripped away.

From inception, a searing brand
Tethers you to a foreign land,
To stand before the ogling eyes
Of those who see you as a prize.

On with the saddles, on with reigns,
To ride you, guide you, down the lanes
They’ve chosen for you.Never free
To run with your fortuity.

But run you will, and push they do…
Till the sheen of death reaches you,
And only then, through tired eyes,
Do you discern a world of lies.

There, with fervor, through the panting—
From a past not worth recanting—
No hand will stay you from this course.
You rush headlong into remorse…

For what you’ve only held in dream,
As stricken eyes forfeit their gleam
With one last boot claimed in its stead.
Who can refuse kicking the dead?


Michael Anderson

© Copyright 2007 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved
LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

1 posted 2007-01-12 07:36 PM


what a fine introspect of life...insightful and well written, enjoyed this a great deal...thank you
Beatrice Boyle
Member
since 2006-12-06
Posts 438

2 posted 2007-01-12 08:24 PM


Michael...I'm probably way off base as to your intentions here, but my mind quickly envisioned young hopefuls (models, actors, espcially those with little or no talent, who are recruited by unscrupulous agents etc, to exploit them for their own gain, then quickly drop them when they are no longer profitable for them.

So sad.

Bea

Roniece Dawson-Bruce
Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689
Sydney, Australia
3 posted 2007-01-12 10:04 PM


enjoyed reading these words of yours Michael... thought provoking piece...  RDB
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

4 posted 2007-01-14 04:11 PM


I can't believe that this has fallen down the page with so little comment.

Perhaps a little light shed on the symbolism would help, and I found this site on google particularly interesting:
http://www3.telus.net/thegoodnews/palehorse.htm

The quotation from the book of Revelations is probably the most well known allusion--

""And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.  And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death. and Hell followed with him.  And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth" (Rev. 6:7-8)."

But as I read further down the page, I also noted with interest the explanation of etymology of the word "pale":

"Pale is translated from the Greek chloros that we would normally take to mean the colour of chlorophyll, the property that gives plants their healthy green appearance.  When used biblically, chloros means the sickly pale green colour of sickness and disease."

I realize Biblical interpretation is subjective, but it fit with your poem so well, I couldn't help m'self.

I'm delighted to read you, always--the quality is always something that I aspire to, and now the depth and integrity of how you are using symbolism to express your point of view is also giving me a case of the "wows".

I'm so glad you are back.

Much enjoyed, Mike.

(I had more to say, but a bad wind just blew in. Grin. Better go cook him supper.)




Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
5 posted 2007-01-14 09:41 PM



And how aligned might a person be
with such a steed that once was thee?

~*~

Well, you pulled out all the plugs,
and that isn't tongue in cheek.

I knew when I clicked in
I would be in all of those states
that you always leave us in, Michael.



Thank you, for doing honor
to something more worthy, at times,
than any human.




skyshine
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2002-02-07
Posts 3058
Beneath the northern stars
6 posted 2007-01-15 12:40 PM


I love your work because it lends itself to so many different interpretations, Michael. That's a hallmark of a true writer, to be able to do that. Good to see you around here again. I hope that all is well with you.

sky

P.S. I liked Roniece's thoughts on this too. The wheels of my mind are spinning.....

I hope someday you get the chance to live like you were dying....
~Tim McGraw

Walter Poe
Senior Member
since 1999-10-13
Posts 787

7 posted 2007-01-16 10:33 AM


Bit odd but i drew the whole biblical thing from the title initialy to.

On reading however i found it more of a life curve.

Young and aspiring, adult and strong, through to old and wasted, then dead and gone.

To take a lot of pain,
take a lot of pain
Love is like a cloud,
holds a lot of rain

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
8 posted 2007-01-16 11:32 AM


Aha! The elusive Michael returns! ~ and with a very fine piece of thought-provoking writing!

Besides the import of the message, I also appreciated the rhyme and rhythm of this piece.

By the amount of thought that your readers have put into their replies, is a good indication of how great a write this truly is!

Giving you a warm, welcome back hug,
EA

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