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Open Poetry #36
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Brian James
Member
since 2005-06-26
Posts 147
Winnipeg

0 posted 2005-10-01 05:43 PM


The Rearranger

"Now take up arms, you winter-battered souls!
  See how the cream of man has man offended,
  How icy storms have from their tails descended!
The cup that cracks, the frost below that rolls
Across the ocean, traps us in and holds
  Our mouths beneath the waves!  We have depended
  Too long upon the prizes they've suspended!
Take back your thrones, and you will have control!"
I heard the army at my sides applaud,
  The ranks charge in, and break apart the ice---
    All this has come to pass.  Remember when,
As children, you and I would sing to God?
  But now you wrap the flag around your vice,
    And stamp your face where I would dip my pen.

© Copyright 2005 Brian James Lee - All Rights Reserved
StevenS
Senior Member
since 2005-09-21
Posts 945
L. A. (Lower Alabama)
1 posted 2005-10-01 06:48 PM


A resounding Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! A hat tip and Thank you!
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
2 posted 2005-10-01 06:51 PM


Hi Brian!!  I really wish that I could critique as well as you...but I'll do my best.

The first part....I feel like you may be talking about global warming and the melting of the glaciers.  Then, "We have depended
  Too long upon the prizes they've suspended!"  feels like you are talking about how man has used up the resources of the earth and ocean and are used to having them, but now can't.  You may be talking about endangered species here.  "Take up arms"...could you mean another kind or arms, other than guns?"  I think so, but I'm a bit confused by that...but it does give urgancy to the poem right off.

I'm looking to the title to get the meaning of your words.  And I think that is where the clue is, but I just can't quite grasp it.

Then the end....such a change from taking up arms, to singing to God..."wrap the flag around your vice"...I take to mean doing something immoral in the name of country.  Not sure about "stamp your face", but certainly understand you taking up your pen.
That is what you do to rearrange.  Instead of taking up arms, you pick up a pen.  Ahh ha!!  I think I got it!  LOL  

I'm sorry...trying to pull it apart has made me even more confused, but I also think I understand a little better.  You write so well, so I know the fault is mine, not yours.  How about an explanation?? This was fun to do....thanks Brian.  

iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
3 posted 2005-10-02 12:36 PM


Brian, a terrific poem.  Understood and appreciated very much.  ....jo
Kaoru
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2003-06-07
Posts 3892
where the wild flowers grow
4 posted 2005-10-02 04:51 AM


Amazing....
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