Autobiography - pipTalk Forums

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

H. Arlequin
Member

since 1999-08-23

Posts 210

0 posted 2000-04-12 03:18 PM

Autobiography

He sat at a rough-hewn table
in the first warmth of breaking day,
before him the few instruments
of his craft which could enable
many to see through his eyes, say
with his thoughts rousing testaments
of right and wrong, fact or fable,
cowards nee heroes of a fray
where men fled wisdom's investments.

Plume and ink, as oft as the sword,
had changed outcomes, scribal hands
embellishing facts here and there,
omitting the useless, untoward
events, unhelpful where commands
of liege lords prejudged the affair,
ordered, for political concord,
pseudo-history. Far away lands,
allies, need not everything share.

But he was not to his master
like a mindless quill in the hand,
flowing new pathways on parchment,
separate from fame or disaster.
He would have the future understand
his personal acknowlegment
of pure Justice tracing, faster
than time's measure of falling sand,
details of each man's own judgment,

where kingly commands are hearsay,
men's choices alone, revealing
purity of heart or its lack.
Personal honor...the nosegay
of fools if kings plan concealing
their evil, or the surprise attack
on a defenseless city...may
demand that which denies healing;
treason requires death on the rack.

What more dared a man ask? To die
well once, or compromise to live
long, intending to do better?
Impossible, fruitless to try
to bargain that destiny give
more, not keeping the law's letter
if others in their anguish cry.
Time flows through it, but virtue's sieve
garners good deeds by its fetter.

Life is not fuel to be burned
down to empty by the tankful,
its joy derived from consumption.
It's a name waiting to be earned,
an unique act that the thankful
commit without the presumption
of wages, a moment discerned
more valuable than a bank full
of wealth made by grit and gumption.

One 'no' to a king, to this place
and the morning to be his last,
had conveyed him without regret.
Bemused at the manner that Grace
had chosen to usher him past
things about which others must fret,
determined the smile on his face
be his resurrection forecast,
on the rack, he had his eyes set.

--H. Arlequin
.
.
.
.
Poems from the Goober Tree http://nathoo.wustl.edu/goober_tree.htm

[This message has been edited by H. Arlequin (edited 04-12-2000).]

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

1 posted 2000-04-12 03:29 PM

HA - I'm soooo pleased to see your posts again. I've read, and need to comment - I've just been more than a little preoccupied here... and your poems definitely take a few extra cogitative microbes to do them justice in a comment... My favorite line in this one is:
"virtue's sieve garners good deeds by its fetter." Capture it however you can...

Nice job, my friend...

Mike
Member Elite

since 1999-06-19

Posts 2462

2 posted 2000-04-12 03:37 PM

I shall mourn as thou preparest for thy demise,
At morning's light, whence you shall die on the morrow,
Thou dost stand tall, in spite of thy statured size,
Harken thee one thing, as speak through mourner's sorrow,
My noble friend, thou hast fought the popish soldiers,
Who in their cowardice art half as strong as thee,
Thou hath conquered with conviction, King's armingers,
In thy execution, thou shall win life's victory,
Lo', David as to Goliath, scribe's written sling,
Thou have met on field of honor, the Philistine,
Though thy life is taken, thy name will honor bring,
In heart of every freeman, ever shall they dene,
T'was knight of Garter's order, ever shall they sing,
Of martyr who would never, kneel to unjust king.

HA... I am so pleased you have decided to once again grace us with you writings. I am in awe of this poem, it was truly a pleasure to be allowed to enjoy.

[This message has been edited by Mike (edited 04-12-2000).]

Beki
Senior Member

since 1999-09-15

Posts 1569
Newport Beach, CA, USA

3 posted 2000-04-12 03:41 PM

Dear friend, I have missed your work. This more than makes up for that temporary loss..it is extraordinary! Bravo!

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

4 posted 2000-04-12 05:46 PM

Excellent writing!!

Denise

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-08-22

Posts 22648

5 posted 2000-04-13 12:54 PM

This is excellent writing, H.A.! WOW!

Denise

Jeffrey Carter

Member Elite

since 2000-04-08

Posts 2367
State of constant confusion!

6 posted 2000-04-13 02:47 PM

I can only say that this is a perfect example of your talent

Jeffrey

H. Arlequin
Member

since 1999-08-23

Posts 210

7 posted 2000-04-13 06:06 PM

To Mike, Martie, aned Jeffery,

tytyty for taking the time to send an encouraging word

))) they are appreciated!

To the darlings,

Nan, Beki and Denise, smoooooooooooooches
you special dears, and hugs for the kind words, too.

HA

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.