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Open Poetry #38
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Garden Path
| Open Poetry #38 |
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Garden Path |
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nedj Member
since 2006-06-23
Posts 87Oregon USA 
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They are prisoners in the garden for there is no gate, and nowhere for a garden gate to go. But the garden is so large that they may never even know that the garden is an island is a jail. On wings of wisdom fly away. Chart your course by stars of truth. Scale the walls on steps of knowledge. Other gardens wait for you. A poem's just a poet in a word. [This message has been edited by nedj (06-24-2006 06:23 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2006 Ned Johnson - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ned....Freedom and imprisonment...either can be so sweet, or not. Really enjoyed this! |
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jody5 Senior Member
since 2005-12-21
Posts 876California, U.S.A. |
Nedj, That was an excellent write. I used to live in Hawaii both times I had to come home to the states. I could relate to your poem in that way. The second stanza was beautiful. Both are thought provoking. Huggs Kimberly |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
Lovely poem Ned. |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
quote: Terrific! ... and not only an island, but the whole Earth can be perceived as "limiting". Love, Margherita |
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nedj Member
since 2006-06-23
Posts 87Oregon USA |
Bingo! We have a winner! :-) Margherita, you've hit the nail right on the head. I wrote this after my first exposure to James G. Watt, Regan's Interior Secretary in 1981. In case you don't remember him, he was a flaming, unrepentant anti-environmentalist. Just to give you a flavor for it, here are a few of his memorable (from Wikipedia): "My responsibility is to follow the Scriptures which call upon us to occupy the land until Jesus returns." -- James G. Watt, The Washington Post, May 24, 1981 "We will mine more, drill more, cut more timber." "After the last tree is felled, Christ will come back." The last one even he denies saying, but there is considerable dispute. Anyway, when I realized that a man with this perspective was now in charge of our national parks, etc. I found myself incredulous. How could anyone be so blind? Not so much Watt himself, but Regan for appointing him, and the rest of us for setting it up! What is so hard to understand about this being our only home--at least for the forseeable future? It was then that I sat down and wrote this poem. Thank you all for your appreciation. It has long been one of my favorites. A poem's just a poet in a word. |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
I felt like coming back to this "Garden Path" and now I know why. Thank you for your explanations dear Ned. No, I did not know of this man, but sadly there are too many of this kind on Earth!! And it is even more sad, that many of these have political power! It's wonderful that you stand up and react, in the attempt to open their eyes. And in the light of your specifications I appreciate your insightful poem even more! Love, Margherita  |
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Serena Junior Member
since 2006-06-25
Posts 47 |
Knowledge is power and understanding, but with understanding also comes the weight of realization. In knowing some things, you might find unhappiness - reguardless of the value behind what you've learned. That's why childhood is often the happiest of times in a persons life, because of the lack of knowledge to the real world, and understanding to how things must be. After all in the ever popular theme of the Matrix everyone was "happy" in the sense that they thought what they were getting is what was all that was offered. When the reality was there was actually a whole other world beyond the world they had been fed, and though it wasn't better in many ways (As one character said "What can I say, ignorance is bliss?" The truth was still something many wanted over a lie.) Nicely done, I enjoyed it  |
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nedj Member
since 2006-06-23
Posts 87Oregon USA |
Margherita, I have long believe that poetry, at least my own, should be performed, not just read or recited. Lately, I am starting to believe that it should be given a context, as I gave for this one, and that you responded to so differently. In fact, I may just do so with anything more I put here. I'd really like some feedback as to whether that is beneficial. Some people have done that here, and in at least one case, I liked the context statement at least as well as the poem. A poem's just a poet in a word. |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
This also. Up to the top, because the words speak volumes. My first read caused me to think on those of such strong "religous" trainning it amounts to brain washing. They can not see beyond what others taught them. They keep to people of like minds and so never open themselves to see another way.martyjo |
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nedj Member
since 2006-06-23
Posts 87Oregon USA |
Martyjo: You certainly tuned into the heart of the sentiment. Thanks A poem's just a poet in a word. |
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