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Open Poetry #36
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St. Sarah Brumm
| Open Poetry #36 |
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St. Sarah Brumm |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA 
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Sarah Brumm is a lovely girl Some even say she’s a godess When asked if she will save the world The Oprah clones all nod “yes”. “But half the problems sprang from her”. “She thought them up herself”. “She can't even keep her highest thoughts" "She lost them on a shelf.” “She has no hands, no heart at all.” “She’s gray and convoluted.” “She’s an evil on our very necks and a gourd to be uprooted” They spake against her one by one her foes used flawless reason. Her allies retorted, “You can’t do that You committed perfect treason For in thinking ill of Sarah Brumm you’ve used her wares against her You’ve only expanded her boundaries more pretending that you’ve fenced her.” In all the fray Sarah fled away very much confused With a headache for a body she was twisted and abused. And then came along a Spirit who said “Love me with all your mind. Make me your Lord and think after me In doing so you’ll find that you are not a Savior. No. You couldn’t save a flea Though you pulse and flicker grandly you are witless without me. But nor are you a monster or a foe to be repelled Rather you are up for grabs by a will which has rebelled. And if you die it’s not to kill you but to put you in your place If you’ll submit to headship You will wear a lovely face. You’ll not lose your humanity But be strong though you may faint I’ll not crown you as crone, nor diva But finally as a saint." SDJ 08/12/2005 |
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| © Copyright 2005 Stephen Douglas Jones - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sunnyone Member Ascendant
since 2000-07-06
Posts 5334Staffordshire, England |
Now this is what I really enjoy reading...something that makes me read it more than once, and think about the meanings that went into the writing...I can truthfully say that I'm going back for another read, and hope to enjoy your work many times here!! ~S~ |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Stephanos -- thanks for the great read! LOL....truth is stranger than fiction. Don't know why I said that, just came out. Anywho....I love poems with a moral and a story and this has both.  ....jo |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
There's so much I have to wonder about here... (and I'm already tsking at Oprah clones, wondering why if that such an awful thing for aspirance. But then, I'm pro Oprah, so I would.) This next verse, I loved, not because I agreed with the context but because I could see the roots of inquisition born, and liked how you illustrated that with quotes: "But half the problems sprang from her”. “She thought them up herself”. “She can't even keep her highest thoughts" "She lost them on a shelf.” “She has no hands, no heart at all.” “She’s gray and convoluted.” “She’s an evil on our very necks and a gourd to be uprooted”" Frowning, these reasonings, these causatives, I have to believe, can't be convulated outside of the realm of the possiblity of the accuser, and therefore, such evil would exist in their own mind, before such a transference could occur. (That's where I get into the scriptural, "Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone." A brilliant moment of philosophy even if you didn't believe in Christ as a deity--he presented a philosophical catch-22.} I confess the nest lines confuse me as a contradiction, as the scripture I have read and continue to read promises hope-- "They spake against her one by one her foes used flawless reason. Her allies retorted, “You can’t do that You committed perfect treason For in thinking ill of Sarah Brumm you’ve used her wares against her You’ve only expanded her boundaries more pretending that you’ve fenced her.” --but I found them tempered by the following lines: "But nor are you a monster or a foe to be repelled Rather you are up for grabs by a will which has rebelled." Born into flesh, would be born into a prison demanding of "sin", for it's through flesh we lust (and honestly that's the only logic I can summon for that justification of argument of an innocent baby born into sin, would be that fleshly instincts set into motion, the greeds of satiation of that "flesh" which would indeed comprise "sin." (This would also explain quite nicely a metaphorical crucificixion of flesh) and in that context, I wish you'd explain this further: "And if you die it’s not to kill you but to put you in your place If you’ll submit to headship You will wear a lovely face." And this final bit confuses me as well: "You’ll not lose your humanity But be strong though you may faint I’ll not crown you as crone, nor diva But finally as a saint."" I'm not so sure I fully understand the story--because of the questions I have regarding that preceding verse, so I repeat: "Frowning, these reasonings, these causatives, I have to believe, can't be convulated outside of the realm of the possiblity of the accuser, and therefore, such evil would exist in their own mind, before such a transference could occur." Couldn't the same be said that saintly characteristics be beyond the capacity of understanding of those that didn't aspire to such themselves?  It's been awhile, Stephan. ((((((((hugs))))))))))) and it's been a long day...but I am truly thrilled to find your thought provoking verses here in open, and please know that I give each word every bit of thought I keep in reserve...even at the wee hours of the morning. I look forward to hearing from you my friend. Much enjoyed. |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Ummmm I have no idea who Sarah Brumm is? I have searched the web and there is no mention of that person, other than a few obituaries from various places around the country. It would help me understand the content of this poem if I knew who she was, or if she is just a figure in the poem to explain a philosophy or a real situation with a metaphorical charecter. -----------ice ><> |
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MGROVES
since 2004-02-01
Posts 3802california |
just sounds to me like someone not wanting truth to be told My spirit will rise |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
Actually there's more than meets the eye here. Sarah is allegorical. However, I'm at work. Don't have time to expound. I'll get back to this soon. Karen, much of your confusion springs from not correctly identifying Sarah. I will clear this up for you soon.  Stephen. |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
Karen, I don't want to deprive you of anything you saw in my lines, and what that may mean to you. But the way I intended it is probably totally unexpected. I won't give it away verbatim. But consider these clues: - Think about the name "Sarah Brumm" and how it sounds. If it were one word, what might that word be? It's not exact, but merely meant to mimic another word. - Then think closely about the following lines: "She thought them up herself" "She’s gray and convoluted" "She’s an evil on our very necks" "and a gourd to be uprooted" "With a headache for a body" . . . And I think you'll figure out what I'm talking about. Then go back and read the poem and find out what it really says about "her". PS: ice, I didn't mean to give you such a "headache". Put some "ice" on it.  Stephen. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
And here I thought I was qualified for any wordplay game there was, and yet, you have me scratching my head. Are you trying to drive me nuts? (Not much of a challenge, that.  )But anyhow, even after reading James Joyce, and corresponding with the King of all Joyce-isms for about three years, I gotta admit-- I'm stumped.  So now you must come back and let us in on the joke, naughty one.  |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Ok,I am taking a wild guess...a real wild one Sarah Brumm is a play on the word cerebellum The part of the brain that controlls balance, movement, and coordination. Did I win a cigar? Where is that tylenol, I still have a headache...kidding aside, I want to understand this poem... more hints please ------------ice ><> |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
All I can adhere to is cerebrum and those who don't use it to the best of their ability. From what I have seen those who have read, all do.... so is this directed at the masses? or the .... never mind.  |
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Copperbell Senior Member
since 2003-11-08
Posts 956 |
enjoyed this Stephen |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
Ice: quote: Not quite. But maybe you won a cigarillo, or a Marlboro Light or something. (But I recommend Big Red, it's healthier and less expensive) You're on the right track. Though Sarah Bellum has a more eloquent name, she has to do with the lower functions of brain activity. The Cerebrum (Yes, Sunshine) however controls the higher functions, such as reason, thought, memory, and emotion.quote: Okay here it is ... Sarah allegorically (and onomatopoetically) represents human intellect, by alluding to the physical apparatus of the Cerebrum. Her enthusiasts (allies, as my poem called them) see her in a very utopian light, even to the point of deification. The question is raised whether or not human ingenuity will be able to "save the world", to which the "Oprah Clones" all vehemently and unquestionably nod yes. Note: I didn't mean to offend anyone who likes Oprah (Karen ). I personally think Oprah is very smart, talented, and has some very good qualities. But I also think that she is the quintessence of contemporary pop-humanism (which has its roots in the more philosophical humanism that came from Greek Philosophy and particularly the Renaissance Enlightenment), and therefore makes for a convenient poetic picture. Of course her fans affrim much that is true. As Sarah really is "lovely", and "pulses and flickers grandly". They also note, correctly, that the anti-intellectuals only ending up praising Sarah’s virtues when they are forced to use reason in their criticism of her. A true Catch-22. On the other hand, her critics also see much that is true. Humanism has made a goddess of her, and tends to be blind to her glaring limitations. Many of the difficulties of humanity have been directly caused by their own minds. Solve one problem with the intellect, and two more pop up to mock you. That’s why her foes say "She thought them up herself". Then there’s also the tendency of humanity to think basely. She has had "higher thoughts" from time to time, but she "lost them on a shelf". Shelf here has a double meaning: a place perhaps too high to reach, and a shore or beach representing a marooned and futile situation. Sarah responds typically with more confusion. She becomes "twisted" and "abused". All of these are descriptive of what can and does happen to human thought under stress and contradiction. When the counselling "Spirit" appears to her, he first lets her know that she is indeed not the godess that her enthusiasts make her out to be. Everyone knows that enthusiasts are not necessarily the best of friends, as any Hollywood actress may tell you. In fact, it is a real benefit to have someone tell you plainly your faults from time to time, if they really care about you. Fans don’t do this kind of thing, not seeing the whole picture. They exhibit a kind of mono-mania, and are blind to the real person they claim to admire. When this humbling truth finally comes to Sarah, she seems fit for her adversaries’ punishment. Her foes’ criticisms seem to be confirmed. But rather than take the side of her tormentors, this Sprit, tells her that she is anything but a monster. Her unghastly moments have sprung from an issue of who or what she submits to, rather than who or what she is. It is essentially a spiritual problem. That’s where the "headship" issue comes in. If the intellect can properly submit to this guiding "Spirit", then real and vibrant humanity will be retained, and Sarah will "wear a lovely face". The Spirit is God himself who created the mind, and intellect. This poem really communicates my view of the proper resting place for the mind. Having heard the rationalist / humanist side, I reject that it is true because of the evidence. But also, I’ve met “Spritual” people, even those who are Christians, who wrongly view the mind as an enemy of spirituality. Paradoxically, theirs is more of a gnostic view, than a Christian one. It is summed up in the last line, as to what God says about the mind. She is crowned by him (a term that refers to either exaltation or to knocking someone on the head) not a “crone”, nor as “diva”, but as a saint, the most fitting place to be. You can’t be a god unless you really are one, and to be called a monster ignores the goodness that has been committed to you. Sainthood takes the humiliation of the “crone”, spits out the pernicious unredeemable part, then takes the exaltation of the “diva” and extracts the puffed-up pride. What she has, left over, is a very precious formula for living. Anyway, that's my interpretation of St. Sarah Brumm. But what do I know, I'm just the author. Stephen. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
*chuckle* and to think that I have been accused of using some obscure metaphors! And here, you just made yours up! (oh wow, that's what writer's are supposed to do, huh? *chuckling again*) Very cool, tho, Stephen. And your explanation delves into so much mysticism and touches on so many things, that you reminded me--I OWE YOU AN E MAIL. (I used all caps because I was told that because I'm "me" that I could.  )And nodding, it's interesting that much of that 9 page hand-written e mail that I am too lazy to type so I never sent touches on so much of this, that I'll prolly scrap it and write another. What can I say, you inspire me. *grin* Now take a bow, Stephan, for writing something completely different than I expected, and I'll give you a hug, but hey--and I'm not kidding here--LEAVE OPRAH ALONE. |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
Karen, thanks for your encouraging words. hmmm... I never considered this a mystical poem, per se, although it does get into some deep waters. Looking forward to the email. And don't worry, Oprah's name only pops up once in about a thousand of my poems. So, it'll be at least another 999 poems before I get brave enough to mention her again. Stephen. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
well, this is an interesting write you have here I may have to come back to it another time nd delve a bit more. Since I'm not a biblical scholar, I'm not sure I comprehend the intent/references in this. Maybe it's too 'heady' a composition for me tonight ~sigh~ |
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