I am from... (Patricia's challenge)

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secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant

since 2006-11-07

Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !

0 posted 2007-12-06 05:58 PM

         I am from

I am from...a very long line
of relentlessly ‘stormy’
change-the-world idealists,
orators, writers, and
  revolutionaries...
spanning some 1400 years
‘til it vanishes somewhere
in the primordial mists of
  history…
with both Celtic and Roman
  roots…two peoples
who desperately fought
each other for centuries
in ancient Britain…until
they ultimately joined
under Arturus (the real
‘King Arthur’) to
oppose the ruthless
Saxon invasion.
I wear the ancient
silver and carnelian
ring that bears the
image of a Roman knight.

I am from...one man who
emerged from the horrors
of W.W. II (the second
world ‘rerun!’)…that other
‘war to (allegedly) end
  all wars’…
determined to live simply
as a true friend to all,
and by the family motto:
“what man is truly a
man…that does not strive
to ‘make a difference'?"
[and one woman who
  stood by him for life]

I am from the ever-magical
  ‘endless mountains’
whose mystic forests and
  murmuring soul
speak of over 200 million years
of “Deep-Time” memories
wrapped in eternal change,
where the ‘Native’ (real) Americans
once stood as Nature’s truest
  (Susquehannock) stewards…
but, sadly left only their name behind
for one grand river that still whispers
with the ethereal spirit-winds…of
forgotten dreams and broken promises…

I am from a lonely, private world
of relentless scholarly pursuits,
(beyond that first bright sting
  of knowledge…)
divergent thoughts,
endlessly cascading images…
and anonymous ‘service’ to all,
forever pondering life’s
  esoteric and eclectic mysteries...
such as whether
each day… life’s mirror
becomes more transparent,
until it finally releases
the shadows of our souls?...
hoping only, that I will have
by then...writ...
at least one small thought
of universal significance,
(in finest poetic ‘word-paint’)
upon the very last page
in the ledger of a life,
before death’s immense
cruel silence...
(Mr. Eliot's 'eternal footman')
reigns...as the ultimate executor !

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate

since 2000-10-29

Posts 19200
Between the Lines

1 posted 2007-12-06 06:48 PM

Bruce, a fine write. I have been reading all these "I Am's" and am trying to see where I even fit in~~ I am not sure I even ~~am~~

M

Roniece Dawson-Bruce
Member Ascendant

since 2000-01-29

Posts 5689
Sydney, Australia

2 posted 2007-12-06 07:06 PM

Bruce... a stunning and compelling write! thank you for sharing... RDB

Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight.........

ArtSolstice
Member

since 2007-03-18

Posts 498

3 posted 2007-12-06 07:13 PM

Intensely and fearless articulated -- at once sharply crafted and extraordinarily intimate. Very powerful write.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

4 posted 2007-12-06 07:21 PM

Bruce, admirable write, this is.
Thank you so much for letting us
have a little insight into
Where you were From!

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

5 posted 2007-12-06 08:47 PM

"forever pondering life’s
esoteric and eclectic mysteries...
such as whether
each day...life’s mirror
becomes more transparent,
until it finally releases
the shadows of our souls?..."

Absorbing, reflecting, then releasing
is the reality;
for we are
the water of life.

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

6 posted 2007-12-06 08:53 PM

Bruce...from what I've learned of you in the spirit of your poetry, this is a reflection of that man, well spoken, sensitive and wise.

Patricia
Member Elite

since 2003-04-06

Posts 2160
Missouri

7 posted 2007-12-06 09:26 PM

I have to agree with Martie. I don't get the opportunity to visit Passions as much as I should or as much as I would like; however, I have read a number of your poems, and as I read this piece, I smiled because I knew it was you by your words.

I do enjoy your writing and this poem was, as well, so enjoyed.

Thank you.

Patricia

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

8 posted 2007-12-06 11:33 PM

My word, Bruce, you out-did yourself by writing about yourself! lol What a fascinating legacy ~ correction "legacies", that have come down through the ages and have settled in the core of the "I am" that you are.

Might I also add, that that was one mighty fine piece of writing!!!

Linda

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

9 posted 2007-12-07 12:12 PM

"I am from a lonely, private world
of relentless scholarly pursuits,
(beyond that first bright sting
  of knowledge…)
divergent thoughts,
endlessly cascading images…
and anonymous ‘service’ to all,
forever pondering life’s
  esoteric and eclectic mysteries...
such as whether
each day… life’s mirror
becomes more transparent,
until it finally releases
the shadows of our souls?...
hoping only, that I will have
by then...writ...
at least one small thought
of universal significance,
(in finest poetic ‘word-paint’)
upon the very last page
in the ledger of a life,
before death’s immense
cruel silence...
(Mr. Eliot's 'eternal footman')
reigns...as the ultimate executor !"

Very inspirational and interesting poem!  Truly appreciate your sharing and am saving this......jo

aziza
Member Elite

since 2006-07-09

Posts 2995
Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy!

10 posted 2007-12-07 12:17 PM

Bruce

I love the glimpse of you. I love that you shared such a private and wonderful part of your life with us.

I am a real fan of your writing - and, yes, I too love nature and the mountains that you write of.

You show so much beauty with your words - and you show such a part of yourself with each poem you share.

Alison

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

11 posted 2007-12-07 04:13 AM

I am absolutely a fan of your poetry and this is one of your finest. I think this "challenge" produced some truly wonderful poems and yours is certainly at the top of the list.
Ida

Rosemary J. Gwaltney
Senior Member

since 1999-08-26

Posts 997
northern mountains, Idaho

12 posted 2007-12-08 04:22 PM

You shine from your lonely, private world - I wish I knew so much about my ancestry. This was very interesting.

I'm almost entirely self-taught too. A reader, studying endlessly. I relate!

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