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Open Poetry #15
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Scheherazade Saved My Life
| Open Poetry #15 |
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Scheherazade Saved My Life |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533
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"And join with thee calm Peace and Quiet, Spare Fast, that oft with gods doth diet" -John Milton 1632 Yet in a life of rant and riot accord I've stole, truths truce, I've cried it "Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been 33 years since my last confession. For me to elucidate would be for us to order in food and commission a port-a-potty". The kindly older man smiled. "I'll say I've sinned and done so just short of murder in a misspent life that I'm working on changing and ask to be forgiven". "For your penance continue to pray seeking Gods forgivness and continue on the road you're on". After a moment I asked in a halting tone; "That's all"? He smiled again "Yes my son" No lightning nor frightening no dungeon for sin, no scolding the sinner, no guilt as a twin. I left lighter and for the first time in years felt an unburdened belly of peace. It wouldn't last long. It never does. Life's set up to hurt and if the feeling of good lasts too long we, ourselves find a way to re-enslave the soul and failing in such self mortification, this world abounds with volunteers. Old world jealousy, machismoic ownership of another era earned me a cooling off period in a county jail the other side of San Antonio. It may as well have been Mexico for all the justice I was bestowed. Adultery is legal in Texas, my response to it was not. I tried to assimilate but eventually my choice of reading over dominoes, writing over spades, was resented. It doesn't help being a yankee. One large black man in particular, insisting on a dichromic cell and despite my parabolic attempts to lead to the conclusion the "we's" were on the same side of the bars tensions heightened. One eye on the shallow offerings of the jail library, the other on potential attack wore my patience. I'd decided that when he busied himself over his lower bunk I'd spring from my perch bringing to bear my weight from elbow to exposed neck and deal with the lessor threat of local law. One kindly privilege of this institution was allowance of a cheap radio with headphones. Through the world of the classics came the touch of God. Add another story to the tales of 1,001 Arabian nights. A Sultan upon discovering the infidelity of his wife orders her death. Convinced that no woman is capable of fidelity he decides that the only solution is to marry again and again, and after one night of trusted bliss have them killed. Scheherazade, a beauty is selected as his next bride. Her wit matches her beauty so she devises a course of action to alter the inevitable. She will spin tales of such delight and intrigue the Sultan will keep her alive in desire of knowing the ending which Scheherazade makes certain will never come. Tuning into the San Antonio classic station I heard for the first time the Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakovs symphonic suite Scheherazade. The self taught composer's call to my tortured soul interrupted my dark plans and during its length of gentle passion, drew me back from the precipice of disaster to a calm of peace which drew silent tears whose streams down my temples were as sweet as a cleansing desert rain and as pure as consecrated baptismal water. [This message has been edited by RSWells (edited 08-15-2001).] |
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| © Copyright 2001 Richard S. Wells jr. - All Rights Reserved | |||
Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
Sir... this is as deeply moving and personal as anything I have ever read... to read it is an honor... the courage to tell it.. outstanding... my most sincere compliments. |
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Lady In White
since 2001-02-12
Posts 2799USA |
Just when you thought you were ready to give up, a story's page is turned.... Excellent, Robert, excellent... |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
No lightning nor frightening no dungeon for sin, no scolding the sinner, no guilt as a twin. I left lighter and for the first time in years felt an unburdened belly of peace. It wouldn't last long. It never does. Life's set up to hurt and if the feeling of good lasts too long we, ourselves find a way to re-enslave the soul and failing in such self mortification, this world abounds with volunteers. Old world jealousy, machismoic ownership of another era earned me a cooling off period in a county jail the other side of San Antonio. It may as well have been Mexico for all the justice I was bestowed. Adultery is legal in Texas, my response to it was not. ===================================== One kindly privilege of this institution was allowance of a cheap radio with headphones. Through the world of the classics came the touch of God. ============================ Tuning into the San Antonio classic station I heard for the first time the Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakovs symphonic suite Scheherazade. The self taught composer's call to my tortured soul interrupted my dark plans and during its length of gentle passion, drew me back from the precipice of disaster to a calm of peace which drew silent tears whose streams down my temples were as sweet as a cleansing desert rain and as pure as consecrated baptismal water. ================================== peace and healing can be found in the darkest of places. music has always had the same effect on me (and poetry) this is an awesome, honest write (rite) of passage Richard. very well expressed. jm Feels like Im dancin with truth and wisdom |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
And like Scheherazade the pages keep turning and the ending may never be known. A very moving, personal account Richard, extremely poignant, and well written. You Sir, are definitely a writer and a poet!  If you have but one true friend when you die you were truly blessed |
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catalinamoon
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543The Shores of Alone |
Well, this was some story, once again you have told it in such a captivating way. Life's set up to hurt and if the feeling of good lasts too long we, ourselves find a way to re-enslave the soul and failing in such self mortification, this world abounds with volunteers That particular stanza truly says how I feel. I wish it were not like that, but it is. You are a wonderful writer. Sandra |
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rwood Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793Tennessee |
Isn't it amazing what Time we do for others mistakes? In this wonderful twist of fate, you have penned a remarkable piece in your now, spare time, and into our minds and hearts. And I can't help but be glad of it. No offense, for your situation! But this is real, and so refreshing. I admire your writing dearly! Thanks for living through that! Sincerely, Regina |
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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136Mobile, AL |
You know what? I LOVE being introduced to new things, sir. This was a stunning story, and I will be certain to check out this recommendation. |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
Thank you all for your understanding....It was a noteworthy twenty minutes of music. "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to decieve" |
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X Angel Senior Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 1521Oregon |
WOW! I read and read and read and was drawn in to this wonderful poetic tale of peace sought and peace found. Again I can only say WOW. ~H |
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
wonderfully done Sir. . . and of course, I love the mention of Rimsky's piece. . . one of my favorites. . . heartfelt and deeply moving. . . ------------------------------------------------------ To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. |
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MARK V SHELDON Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 3015In a corporeal internship... |
Enlightening in many different ways... a vicarious journey of empathy, sympathy, and remote understanding. Yet another example of the infinite space of knowledge, learning, and advancing, both in your experience described and in the reader's benefit of your having submitted this for our reading... Rimsky-Korsakov is indeed a giant in the realm of beauty and art, and this piece is exceptional. Borodin shares similar attributes, but Tchaikovsky will always be the God of Music, in my book... Thank you for sharing this, Richard. -MVS "It's all in the details -- the Big Picture always takes care of itself." -MVS [This message has been edited by MARK V SHELDON (edited 08-26-2001).] |
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Ava'sEden Junior Member
since 2001-08-03
Posts 16Far&Away |
You are as exceptional in this as your choice of listening grace. Ava~ |
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