»
Main Forums
»
Poetry Workshop
»
Ode to the Young Scholar
| Poetry Workshop |
|
Ode to the Young Scholar |
|
Local Parasite
since 2001-11-05
Posts 2527Transylconia, Winnipeg 
|
Ode to the Young Scholar Bane of all knowledge, toiler of the mind Wishing therein some ore to find; Rudest of labourers, who dost intend The faculties of Beauty and of Truth Towards some lust of avaricious youth Purging thyself of a more certain end! Why lendest thou thine instruments of labour To subjects of such innate flavour? Why scythes and barrows in the flowers frail Dost thou employ, when e'er the weeping meadow Singeth lamentably for those who fled? O, Harvest it not, nor tools of reaping flail! But halt thine oxen, tugging at the plow That here destroyeth with a mutinous glee Th'original and purest of creation! Thine objects of sole subjugation Suckling the soil-teat, to thereon bestow Marks of indiff'rence, scars of gluttony! See with what dilegence the sparrow scans The land for scraps, and plans A noble project built of noble things! And 'hold her as with virtue of provision She calculates her every small decision To see the best become of what she brings! No scientific carelessness could know The sacrifices she doth throw With meekness always, and with what intent! That love for her own progeny compels Her wing aflight to seek provision tells The virtues of her martyrly assent! Count no materials, she cannot be read By her empirical droppings idly viewed, She, like the Artist, needs be duly felt And given time beside her knelt With sympathy and earnestness of dread As into Death her virtues are renewed. Too far removed art thou from Death, my friend! That to a more immediate end Thine efforts are established selfishly! A universe awaits thee, worn of rape By those who for the ore of knowledge scrape When knowledge is an ore we feel, not see! Alluring, as you know, the flowers are Whose petals we, ungrateful, mar And smear our fingers on, to toss aside! How cruel the Scholar has become to Beauty That he hath blasphemed his intrinsic duty And made a battered whore of his own bride! Hope is not spent, for thine illustrious spirit Is powerful in its uncaptured stance! I hear the echoes of a distant song Worn from a time-path, fathoms long, Hiding therein! Thine ears I urge to hear it, Thy hands perchance to clap, and soul to dance! http://www.livejournal.com/~new_formalism |
||
| © Copyright 2004 Brian James Lee - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Endlessecho Member
since 2003-09-05
Posts 398I live within myself |
Well, you definitely own the ode! This is your form, I think. And I must say - that form is something because I almost decided not to join in the workshop this month. What an assignment! Since you came up with the idea, I knew you'd have an Ode. But, this was so incredible. I really loved the message. It took a lot of read throughs, but I enjoyed it each time. Even the first time, before I got the full meaning, because sometimes poetry just sounds and flows and reads so beautifully. I guess that's why sometimes you can hear something in another language and think it's absolutely beautiful even if you can't understand a word it says. That's poetry and music. But, I did understand this. The message you were giving I completely understood. The next couple readings helped me understand the messages within the message. See the full picture. Anyway..Though sometimes I find it exasperating ;-), I admire the way you can use Old English and the wordings of the classic poets so wonderfully. While I enjoy reading peices set in that lauguage because of the beauty of the sound of it, writing in that style I've never gotten. Now I'm rambling and I still don't feel like I've explained myself. No matter - I guess I just wanted to say "Well Done." Which leaves us to say..."then why didn't I?"  I like the way you see things. And you are fortunate enough to have the ability to express it. At first I wasn't too thrilled with you for this assignment, but I'm glad we did it. I never would have had a chance to read this if I hadn't, and I wouldn't have ever written an Ode - which I'm happy I did. If you can call what I wrote an Ode - I really have no idea. |
||
|
Dr.Moose1 Member Elite
since 1999-09-05
Posts 3448Bewilderment , USA |
Local, I didn't comment on this earlier as I don't like to pass judgement on what I don't understand. After a couple of read throughs, it seemed to flow more easily. Your use of Old English seems to compliment your subject matter ( although I've been accused of being archaic). For what it's worth from a beginner at this form, I gotta say I like what you've done here. Doc |
||
|
Bridget Shenachie Senior Member
since 2002-01-23
Posts 1056Kansas USA |
Now we know what a real ode looks like! Thanks for sharing this with us, Brian. And may I ask, who is worthy of learning??--Those humble enough to appreciate the privilege? Those wise enough to recognize truth? Those who have the ability to savor beauty? I enjoyed reading your ode and methinks that you are a bit hard on the young scholar. This was a great write, Brian. It made me think. I appreciate your input to the workshop and thank you for putting the ode in front of us. I think that this has been the toughest assignment yet and will try to participate. I will appreciate your critique on my submittal because I do like the form and want to know where I fall short. Shenachie |
||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Brian, see my request thread. I would love to use this...PUHLEEZE??? Let me know. Mom |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
