The Allegory of the Cage - pipTalk Forums

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JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

0 posted 2007-03-07 05:56 AM

The Allegory of the Cage

I have not written much of late;
I toil in my hamster wheel.
While ev'ry sage of ev'ry age
Will gape with wonder at my cage,
And speak in voices small and still
About my stilted, careworn gait.

Yet when I do find time to write,
I'll leave my cage, in mind alone.
But if I'm sad and terror-clad,
You'll know how deeply I've gone mad,
When slashing sinew, skin and bone
To cleave a thought on pages white.

Now writ with expurgated bile,
My caustic words are dark and spare.
I've filled the pages with my rages
Over others' self-made cages.
As they trudge without a care
And bear it all with practiced smile.

For, I know what they don't see;
Our hamster wheels are hooked to naught.
With blinded sight, and faces tight,
They churn and burn their wheels with might,
And not a lone, insightful thought
Will loose their bonds and set them free.

I cry out loud, an anguished howl,
Still knowing I will join back in.
Yet all the tears from lengths of years
While fleeing from our deepest fears,
Can never heal a single sin,
Nor soothe away a single scowl.

I have not written much but this,
My musings on a ghastly fate:
We turn our wheels and chase our heels
Forgetting how it truly feels
To live and die, to love and hate;
Our ignorance indeed is bliss.

So, in I go to man my post.
I coax my wheel back up to speed.
I'm better now. I know not how,
But sidle up beside my trough
And eat the slop I do not need,
Because I'm better off than most.

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

[This message has been edited by JLHunter (03-08-2007 05:22 AM).]

Purity
Senior Member

since 2001-11-20

Posts 526
Once Upon, USA

1 posted 2007-03-07 06:11 PM

Absolutely fantastic write! This style usually proves quite difficult, but you graced through it with ease... and excellence.

Most enjoyed...

Wings bruised from turning away in such confined space...Not broken...still healable...still feathered with life, somewhere

UseTheIllusion
Member

since 2006-02-06

Posts 223
In a state of limbo

2 posted 2007-03-07 09:19 PM

Excellent, excellent, excellent write.

JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

3 posted 2007-03-08 05:18 AM

Hi, Purity.

Thanks for the wonderful comments, I do appreciate such kind words. I am having a bit of a personal crisis and a catharsis was needed. I'm afraid that I spilled some of it on the page!

Thanks again,

John

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

4 posted 2007-03-08 05:21 AM

Hi, UTI (Umm, NOT urinary tract infection, but UseTheIllusion!).

Thanks you, thank you, thank you! I really did put a bit extra emotion into this piece than I usually do. I guess that I write a little differently when I am feeling mortal.

John

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

Kira Aso
Member

since 2006-09-26

Posts 351
Closer to Hell...

5 posted 2007-03-17 09:58 PM

I do believe they said exactly what I wanted to say. (darn) Well anywho...This was absolutely wonderful!

Best wishes,
Kira

JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

6 posted 2007-03-18 08:45 AM

Thanks, Kira.

And even though "they" said it all, I appreciate your sharing those same thoughts.

Thanks again.

John

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

hunnie_girl

Member Elite

since 2006-06-18

Posts 2567
Canada

7 posted 2007-03-21 12:51 PM

well tg I didn't miss this, this was amazing the flow was really good...
hunnie

~fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me~

JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

8 posted 2007-03-22 10:28 AM

Thanks, hunnie (love the name!).

A lot of hard work and personal emotion went into this write. It is almost autobiographical, if not in a metaphorical way.

John

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

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