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Open Poetry #42
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A Ruler for Strength
| Open Poetry #42 |
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A Ruler for Strength |
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Ocean Vuong Junior Member
since 2008-03-29
Posts 37NYC |
Strength, how is it measured? By the number of times we raise the heart, trampled by the hordes of hate? By the miles of land the kings have conquered? Where are they now those kings? Do their graves still reek from the laws of which they’ve sung? Perhaps by the ounces of tears a father does not shed while his muscles shift the earth to cover his son's eyes. Or by the seconds it takes a woman whose heart, stolen in that alley, to leap to another land, to a dream, to a reality un-alive. Upon smashing cities and snapping pillars, do we rush at rubble to weigh the bricks, to count the rings still glistened with sweat? Is this the fruit of man’s illusion? Have we taken account the wind, who carves the cracks of stones to build peaks that puncture the sky, allowing faith to rain from its wounds? For men who wrestled the seas and whose quest for truth, have hurled their sanity in depths of darkness. To calculate their bravery would be just. Yet what a shame, we can only listen to their tales while nodding above the steam of coffee and tea only to forget when the hour strikes for sleep. I’ve carried this ruler in my pocket, I’ve flashed it at heroic scenes of crying babies and burning buildings, at filthy laborers who lurk the bars by night, at mothers, brothers, sons, and daughters standing tall with knees beaten by hope. But none have lined correctly with the dashes on this wooden plank. I have failed over and over to capture this phenomenon. Oh how I’ve walked, I’ve walked the roads into a slate but none have led me to their light. But then again— as the stars place their spears into the valley, and the grass leaps to whisper the hints of evening to the moon, our bodies, captured by this serenity, would stand as still as trees and the story of strength will be no more than that flickering star, fading into the universe. [This message has been edited by Ocean Vuong (04-05-2008 08:27 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2008 Ocean Vinh Vuong - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
"who stand tall with knees beaten by hope" What does this mean? Perhaps your thinking is just too profound for me. Ida |
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Ocean Vuong Junior Member
since 2008-03-29
Posts 37NYC |
Sometimes strength comes from falling 7 times and standing up 8. To stand tall after subsequent failure would be a fine act of strength. Hope can only lure and trick us so far. -ocean |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
Well, That cleared that up. |
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Seoulair Senior Member
since 2008-03-27
Posts 807Seoul S.Korea |
wonderful prom and comment. Yes, I agree with you, Ocean. Strength talks after we overcome something that we thought that we were not able to overcome. love the read. |
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gilead Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067nevada, USA |
Magnificent poem, ocean! I like its depth and sweeping scope in a very Whitmanesque way. this is really thoughtful and well written. Art |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
What a magnificent write! Superb imagery and depth of thought. I especially like: "Strength, how is it measured? By the number of times we raise the heart, trampled by the hordes of hate?" also this: "Have we taken account the wind, who carves the cracks of stones to build peaks that puncture the sky" and this: "Yet what a shame, we can only listen to their tales while nodding above the steam of coffee and tea only to forget when the hour strikes for sleep." Thanking you for my newest library addition. |
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Ocean Vuong Junior Member
since 2008-03-29
Posts 37NYC |
I am honored Midnitesun, I am please you have enjoyed. -ocean |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
For men who wrestled the seas and whose quest for truth, have hurled their sanity in depths of darkness. To calculate their bravery would be just. I have to disagree with this verse. I think for we who have not sacrificed our lives and honor as they have to even begin to try to calculate their bravery would be unjust  Great write here Ruth |
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Rick Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 2903Victoria, Australia |
Ocean, I really enjoyed your thoughts here, gave me moments of contemplation and reward, there was much depth and meaning, thank you for sharing part of you. Have a wonderful day. Sincerely Rick |
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Ocean Vuong Junior Member
since 2008-03-29
Posts 37NYC |
I am happy you you feel that way Rick, That is the reason why I write for as we all know poetry brings little chance for fame and fortune nowadays unless your Billy Collins. To respond to Howl, that is the point here, you are absolutely right, the notion is an irony for the message here is that though some would want to calculate bravery no man can and in the end their honor is still served only in a memory, which is immeasurable. -ocean |
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