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JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

0 posted 2011-09-21 03:22 PM

Instinct
(Cogito ergo)

That sense or gut feeling undeniable,
the mind’s affectation to survival:
Discernment stirring a sensory…

What is that intangible dispensary
of precipitous intelligence?
A siren within human frailty,
displaying a danger to an attraction,
while a mere reflex suffices an instinct’s reduction…

Yet the consequences fade to irresistible platitudes of curious seduction…

So then the mind levies its chastisement –
Or, are the eyes, nose, and flesh,
the cause for the woven mesh?
That distinct promise, or desire…

The feline is said to have nine lives.
Could that be a gratifying instinct?
Or is it as Ives?
He a composer of polytonality,
and providing pleasures with amorality?

Instinct would be best oppressed,
yet thoughts immerse
and quietly become aggressive...

As that feline’s curiosity,
so imagination and fascination too is blinding.
Better to be distinct of that!
And avoid obsessive inclinations
of instinct.

*~*

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

1 posted 2011-09-21 03:50 PM

JL, I had to read this a couple of times to imbibe it fully – and although polytonality was a new word for me, it is obviously easy to work out its meaning, but I had never heard of Ives, but googled him.

This is a most interesting poem, and yes, I agree that obsessive inclinations of instinct are dangerous, but instinct applied wisely and in moderation can enhance intellect, consideration and knowledge over time of the subject matter, if all are taken into account with wisdom and caution.

I liked your juxtaposition of the nine lives of a cat and the polytonality of Charles Ives.

Owl

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

2 posted 2011-09-21 04:34 PM

“I think” Sometimes a painful thing to do especially when being reactive to instinct is so much easier. Like that curious cat, lucky for them they have 9 lives.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and analyze. As I have said: you are a very smart young lady, and so sweet and kind with replies.

Enjoyed your interest.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

3 posted 2011-09-22 03:04 AM

Thanks for your kind words, JL, but giggles at the "YOUNG lady"!

Owl

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

4 posted 2011-09-22 03:28 AM

Pip, pip, cheerio, and all that what!
You are as young as your heart feels you should be.

Remember I am only 16...(LOL)
Thanks!

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

5 posted 2011-09-22 12:26 PM

As that feline’s curiosity,
so imagination and fascination too is blinding.
Better to be distinct of that!
And avoid obsessive inclinations
of instinct.

I need to paste this on my mirror so I read it every day... maybe eventually, I'd HEED! *S*

When it comes to the human male
My instincts seem to always fail
How many times can one heart break
'Fore I admit my instinct's fake? *S*

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

6 posted 2011-09-22 12:34 PM

Suthern,
That has got to be the cutest response I have ever had. You sure know how to put a smile on my face.

Sorry about the last part. Don't give up, you never know...

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

ebonygirl
Member Elite

since 2011-07-14

Posts 2000
California U.S.A

7 posted 2011-09-22 03:11 PM

Insightful, JL, enjoyed, Ms. E

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

8 posted 2011-09-23 04:55 AM

Thank you Ms. E.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

9 posted 2011-09-23 07:09 PM

quote:
Instinct would be best oppressed,

Tell it to the master, my friend.

I much enjoyed this piece.

Michael

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

10 posted 2011-09-23 07:37 PM

I am completely baffled with this. I just find it difficult for me to feel that someone's instinct is evil, (can't it just as easily be godly or peaceful?) or at the very least not sound of mind. The cat's nine lives, or Ives? My mind can't grasp your meaning well enough to comment intelligently. Sorry. My problem, not yours I'm sure.

~~ Those who are silent are the first to be shot. ~~

ChemicalRepose
Member

since 2004-03-28

Posts 102

11 posted 2011-09-23 08:07 PM

I have to admit after reading this I sat and pondered the exact meaning of instinct. While I agree with you that instincts can create pain, I can not agree that oppressing them is the answer. Without instincts becoming extinct is our future.

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

12 posted 2011-09-23 08:48 PM

Instinct – (gut feeling) can lead to great experiences and life saving events, yes.
But curiosity with instinct – (impulse) can get you into trouble, unless you have 9 lives to offset the negative result.

Suthern, above, seemed to grasp the intent pretty well.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

ChemicalRepose
Member

since 2004-03-28

Posts 102

13 posted 2011-09-24 07:55 AM

I understood your meaning, just did not agree completely with it. A cat has nine lives, meaning he is able to to be curious without facing the possibility of no longer existing if things go wrong. Humans have one life to live, and I believe we need to be curious to get all that we can in the short time we are on Earth. Yes, when using instincts alone we put ourselves in a vulnerable position, add curiosity to that and it could be a recipe for destruction, or it could be the way in which we explore new frontiers.

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

14 posted 2011-09-24 08:08 AM

Yes sir, each to his own.
Consequences accepted.

Thank you for reading and taking the time to agree to disagree.
Remember it’s only a poem.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

15 posted 2011-09-24 08:51 AM

Jerry:

This is poetic license here; remember it’s a poem not a thesis.

Charles Ives, Musician
He made use of polytonal composition and play.  Learned it from his dad and studied it at Yale.  In fact made it popular, other musicians were against the use of it.
He was, in some circles considered to be almost amoral because of his use of the method.
So he… … was curious about the different instruments using his method in concerts, he followed his instincts to write and play and suffered the consequences.  His instinct was a gut feeling and he acted on an impulse to go against the norm.

I hope this helps.  Sorry for the confusion.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

16 posted 2011-09-24 09:03 AM

Yeah, I had looked up Ives, JL. Where I had the problem was the "absolute" problem with instinct as you described, even going so far as to say, "Instinct would be best oppressed,"

It's okay, we can differ in our interpretations and still remain cyber friends.

~~ Those who are silent are the first to be shot. ~~

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

17 posted 2011-09-24 09:04 AM

Thank you Jerry I appreciate the friendship.
JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

18 posted 2011-09-24 09:39 AM

This is a very intriguing variation on the theme "Instinct", dear JL.

Strangely I read this upside down and began wondering ... you have done a great job.

Follow your instinct
it shows the right direction
but keep eyes open

M

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

19 posted 2011-09-24 09:49 AM

Margherita: Exactly. Thank you for taking the time to read, upside down or right side up.
I appreciate it very much!

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

Richy
Member Elite

since 2003-05-03

Posts 3050

20 posted 2011-09-24 12:45 PM

JL I'd say this poem was, purrrfect... I'd give it, 10 lives minimun!!

Great writing here!

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

21 posted 2011-09-24 01:15 PM

Richy: Thank you sir.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

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