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Open Poetry #24
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The Chalice of Hemlock
| Open Poetry #24 |
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The Chalice of Hemlock |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia 
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He drank deeply from the Chalice of Hemlock. Chastised by the Athenian beauracracy, accused of perverting the minds of the youth, accused of treason against the principles of democracy. Socrates. The man who stood firm and steadfastly believed in the dignity of the individual, in freedom of choice. Or did I misread? He offers the chalice, philosophically, metaphorically. Nietzsche. He offers the plastic bag and carbon monoxide, literally. Dr. Nitschke. Plato, where are you now? Who will write this for the history books of tomorrow? |
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| © Copyright 2003 Kathleen Kacy Stafford - All Rights Reserved | |||
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ShadowRider Senior Member
since 2001-07-14
Posts 1038USA |
Is this the destiny of the deaf, to suffer execution at one's own hand drinking the poison of bad decisions? I certainly hope not, but listening to history, and to your outstanding poem, is good start. WTG, Kacy! Liked, enjoyed, and appreciated! JkF |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Kacy, excellently presented...point well made... such a grim thought... I hope I never have to make a choice... |
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VAS Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450Oregon |
fascinating, but my experience is lacking in Neitske...or however one spells his name. So, other than knowing people study his 'philosophy' I'm at a loss to get the most out of your poem. Whether on the shoal or on the shore, |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
'mornin to you, Jeff. Thanks for spending a moment with me on this one, since it's not a very cheery breakfast treat. Magnus, me too. I'm hoping to walk off by myself quietly, to breathe deeply of my final sunset with my eyes and heart open to another adventure. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Sorry, VAS. Think Kevorkian, aka Dr Death. Dr Nitschke is an Australian euthanasia expert who was scheduled to show off his CO machine here in the US this week at a Hemlock Society seminar, but had his devices confiscated by customs authorities. Info on Nietzsche, the Swiss-German philosopher is more readily available in libraries and on the net. [This message has been edited by Midnitesun (01-11-2003 10:26 AM).] |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Midnitesun An interesting write, enjoyed. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
*sigh* Thanks for reading. It's a dead end subject I usually avoid. |
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regards2you Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940California |
Kacy, I hope I never have to make that decision either. I knew a man once whose mother was in hospital, final stages of excruciating painful death from cancer who begged him to kill her with outside drugs. He was torn so badly, waited days, each day the same with her...finally, in the deepest anguish imaginable, he went and bought enough drugs to put her out of her misery....Kill her?, help her die?, ...arrived at the hospital to be told his mother had just (5 minutes ago) died! Horrible for him.....the whole experience...of watching her suffer so, of her, in such pain as to ask her only son to do such a thing, ugh! quite an issue is right.... warm regards, Pat  ..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.. |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
uh...um...wow! |
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Sandpiper Senior Member
since 2002-06-15
Posts 738land of flora and fauna |
good perspective on a subject that will surely face each of us at some point--enjoyed!! "And it was at that age...Poetry arrived in search of me...And something started in my soul." |
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