The Allegory of the Cage (with apologies to Plato--from Open Poetry #41)

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JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

0 posted 2013-09-08 11:01 AM

The Allegory of the Cage
(With Apologies to Plato)

I have not written much of late;
I toil in my hamster wheel.
While ev'ry sage of ev'ry age
Will gape with wonder at my cage,
And speak in voices small and still
About my stilted, careworn gait.

Yet when I do find time to write,
I'll leave my cage, in mind alone.
But if I'm sad and terror-clad,
You'll know how deeply I've gone mad,
When slashing sinew, skin and bone
To cleave a thought on pages white.

Now writ with expurgated bile,
My caustic words are dark and spare.
I've filled the pages with my rages
Over others' self-made cages.
As they trudge without a care
And bear it all with practiced smile.

For, I know what they don't see;
Our hamster wheels are hooked to naught.
With blinded sight, and faces tight,
They churn and burn their wheels with might,
And not a lone, insightful thought
Will loose their bonds to set them free.

I cry out loud, an anguished howl,
Still knowing I will join back in.
Yet all the tears from lengths of years
While fleeing from my deepest fears,
Can never heal a single sin,
Nor soothe away a single scowl.

So, in I go to man my post.
I coax my wheel back up to speed.
I'm better now. I know not how,
But sidle up beside my trough
And eat the slop I do not need,
Because I'm better off than most.

I have not written much but this;
My musings on a ghastly fate.
We turn our wheels and chase our heels
Forgetting how it truly feels
To live and die, to love and hate;
Our ignorance indeed is bliss.

Copyright 2007, 2013 John L. Hunter. All Rights Reserved. (03-08-2007).

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

1 posted 2013-09-08 12:04 PM

Ahhh . . . That's that "practiced smile." Could that be the twin of the fraudulent smile? Your melancholy is apparent and well documented within the line of the poem. I used to write in the darkness, but not so much anymore.

~*~ If they give you lined paper write sideways. ~*~

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

2 posted 2013-09-11 06:02 PM

"Our hampster wheels are hooked to naught"

God, how I know this... and yet I am out there running mine full-tilt on well-worn axle, ready to spin off into the crash of a lifetime.

Your style of writing is fresh and untouchable. I enjoy it immensely, though the messages you bring home through it are what truly sets you apart. Extremely well done, JL.

Michael

JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

3 posted 2013-10-04 05:43 PM

Hi, JerryPat2.

Sorry that it took so long for me to reply, but I have been busy tending to ill family members.

I was struck by you reference, mostly because I read your Haiku (Senryu?) where you had mentioned that. Your comments are appreciated.

Thanks again,

JLHunter

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

4 posted 2013-10-04 05:49 PM

Hi, Michael.

I wrote this as a personal observation about how my life was progressing...or not progressing. I am sure that many people would echo your comments, as I have heard similar response in the past.

"Your style of writing is fresh and untouchable. I enjoy it immensely, though the messages you bring home through it are what truly sets you apart."

Thank you so much for the very generous critique. I am always humbled when people enjoy, or better yet, 'get' my work.

Thanks,

JLHunter

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

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