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Open Poetry #6
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jbouder
Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534
Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash

0 posted 2000-03-14 02:17 PM


Ubiquitous chitiny of lunatic clicks
So persuasively did they speak
The facts?
The facts confuse me
          Don’t confuse me
                    With the facts
My mind is made
          A made mind
                    A mad mind
                              Made sophisticated mad
How you, O Athenians, have been affected
I cannot tell, I cannot tell
So persuasively did they speak
I almost forgot who I was
          Who I am
                    Who am I?
I know!
(Mad sophisticated made)
I know not?
The facts confuse me
          Don’t confuse me
                    With the facts
My mind is made
          A made mind
                    A mind made mad
I know!
Ubiquitous chitiny of lunatic cliques
Yet hardly an uttered word of truth.


 Jim

"If I rest, I rust." - Martin Luther



© Copyright 2000 Jim Bouder - All Rights Reserved
LittleBoyLost
Junior Member
since 2000-03-14
Posts 28

1 posted 2000-03-14 08:00 PM


I don't know why this hasn't been replied to yet but this is excellent!  Is this about Socrates?  The Athenians and sophisticated parts gave me that idea.  Many thanks.
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
2 posted 2000-03-14 08:59 PM


Well, I know talent when I see it..but I'm not sure I understand this one, Jim! I love seeing your name in Open Forum though!  
jbouder
Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534
Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash
3 posted 2000-03-14 09:05 PM


PdV:

I'm not so sure I do either.    That's probably why it hasn't been so popular in here, though.

LittleBoyLost:

Is your name from Blake?  I love Blake.  Anyway, yes some of the lines are from Plato's "Apology of Socrates" documenting Socrates' defense against those who were charging him with corrupting the youth of Athens.  Some of his opponants were the Sophists who he described as people who "say they know but know not".  Thanks for replying.

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

4 posted 2000-03-14 10:22 PM


I suppose we all know folks who have made their minds up regardless of the facts. Kind of scarey, isn't it? Great poem, as always Jim! Glad to see you in Open!

Denise

bboog
Member
since 2000-02-29
Posts 303
Valencia, California
5 posted 2000-03-15 02:08 AM


Jim,
  I once attended a poetry reading where the poet read his poem from the bottom of the page and worked his way back up and it had the same circular type of feel as this poem does. This effect seems to work well with the subject of your poem. Also it breaks out of the normal mode of what most of us read and write. For breaking the unordinary, mundane or "mediocre" where minds are already made up, you should be commended!
best regards,
bboog



[This message has been edited by bboog (edited 03-15-2000).]

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
6 posted 2000-03-15 04:05 AM


Jim~
I found this intriguing and amusingly entwined with wisdom.

'The facts confuse me
          Don’t confuse me
                    With the facts'
AMEN !
Wonderful read.
~*Marge*~


 ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com


Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
7 posted 2000-03-15 10:19 AM


THis knocks me back a step, Jim.  Exceptional read - especially to really read.


Michael

jbouder
Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534
Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash
8 posted 2000-03-15 10:39 AM


Denise:

Yeah, it is scary.  I'm not sure why it is so common but I do find it frustrating sometimes.  Thanks for replying.

b-:

I didn't intend it to read that way so maybe the effect was a result of my subconscious genius.    Seriously, thank you for pointing the backwards thing out to me.  I may try to tighten this one up a bit so it reads more smoothly both ways.  Thanks again.

Marge:

I probably just got lucky with the wisdom part, the youngster that I am ... ahem ... Thirty is still young, right?    I'm glad you found it "intriguing".  That is a fine compliment.

Michael:

Knocked you back a step?  Thanks!

Later all.

Jim

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
9 posted 2000-03-17 02:44 PM


Okay show off, not only have you mastered the sonnet and the sestina....but now free verse   This is an increadibly clever poem Jim...I followed bboogs advice and also read it from the bottom up and it reads just as well that way. Nice job  
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