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The Front Steps
| Open Poetry #33 |
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The Front Steps |
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Professor Gloom Member Elite
since 2000-07-23
Posts 3082of Depression |
Who was Wu? That shed the deep red On the magistrates doorway A prayer when there Then slicing. Why did Wu? Bad luck then there stuck That servants couldn’t wash away So none would enter Since cursing. Wife of Wu Watched men come take him Buried on newly bought land For his family Their living. What of Wu The red marble on shed Became cast off his headstone A small farm where grows Legacy. Gloom This story of Suicide, an action I find morally reprehensible, was found in my research into Chinese History. The story is suppose to show how cheaply life was held back in the ancient era, But I think the writer (pre-boxer rebellion) misunderstood. Soldiers fight for the land in the name of some ruler, Wu sacrificed his life for his family. For the story says Wu was of the landless poor, Without hope of ever changing class. His death promised his children would be better Than Wu. |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
how deely and utterly wasteful? Sad, and yet interesting...different cultures and beliefs...who am I to judge I suppose? But Suicide? No father for the children? To me, family is everything, first and foremost...and he was "not" poor, but how do you articulate that to such a proud culture? Deeply thought provoking Good morning Professer |
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Professor Gloom Member Elite
since 2000-07-23
Posts 3082of Depression |
Thank you, LeeJ, I agree, but the difference of culture is what I study, Understanding of others can only enhance one’s self. There was no translation of the story available (I’m still looking), Just the synopsis in the writer’s work. But also in the same chapter, He wrote of a body of the same class person Rotting for days on the side of the road, No one wanting the bad luck associated with noticing it. Different cultures different ways. Gloom |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Professor, A story told in many lands, it is the same knell. Well done |
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Professor Gloom Member Elite
since 2000-07-23
Posts 3082of Depression |
Thank you, Seymour, Pleased you enjoyed, Gloom |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
Whewww Professor, that is some heavy translation...I to am fasinated by cultures and if and when you locate some answers to this, pls don't hesitate to email them to me, I'd be very interested....if you have time? Thanks a bunch for the reply. I appreciate your interest to research. |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
"But I think the writer (pre-boxer rebellion) misunderstood. Soldiers fight for the land in the name of some ruler, Wu sacrificed his life for his family. For the story says Wu was of the landless poor, Without hope of ever changing class. His death promised his children would be better Than Wu." I imagine you are right. To better a family, people will do things they might not ordinarily do. This takes me back to a special I was watching last night/morning? about the development of the railway westward, and how the speed the tracks laid increased when enticements such as land were given. Back to your poem, what time period was this written about? Enjoyed the your poem, appearing to be simply written, but with so much depth and skill. miscellanea |
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Professor Gloom Member Elite
since 2000-07-23
Posts 3082of Depression |
Thank you, miscellanea, For the kind words, The writer accredited the story to Song Dynasty The southern region during about 420 – 478 AD. But also, not just land in this story An more important point, Which I might not brought out well enough The Burial, which may have been a first for his family To be buried with so much honor. Gloom |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
enjoyed  |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
learn something every day thanks for sharing |
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Copperbell Senior Member
since 2003-11-08
Posts 956 |
this is so sad to me - I know cultures value things differently - but this...I guess this is about sacrifice and love and honor to them - but it is too sad for me |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
well wo is Wu who never knew our history proves we re-play that same scene over and over and over again and the results never seem to me to be freedom to be better off than our grandparents were Dang, I loved this mind bending write you left here. |
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