Open Poetry #39 |
Dulcinea (my best poem with explanation) |
miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Poet's note: (See the 9th response below AFTER reading the poem. Hopefully, it will spur you to re-read it again. I don't claim to be much of a poet, but this one just comes alive to me. I hope it does to you, too, especially, after you learn of its creation.) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (Dulcinea) The tintinnabulation The tintin nab u The tin, tin Full of ale Splattered on his face As bells rang Inclining her to leave the ugly place. “Sweet Dulcinea, wingless bird Hear the strings reverberate A hidden word; Little bird, little bird Fly within coiled strings” “I have a destiny as you, Sir, Have eyes to see; To make this world a better space Passing ale and smiling face To those without a hint. I have yet to clean this place Hunker shoulders, remove the drunks Climb the stairs to lay them in their bunks; Scrub the tables, stack the chairs, Sweep the crumbs and wipe the –“ “Tears. I see behind blue flamed eyes. Young one, is it not unwise To free the dripping of the years, Put aside the mirrors and climb Within piano’s strings? Shall I throw my lance To spear a song for you?” “Suppose I was to fall with you Among the gold wrapped strings? My voice has been toneless, My body boneless, as it toiled In drunken night. How could this bird gain Unquestered flight?” Against the stone with shine of sand, Upheld the wall a cell of man; Incoming dreams On paper land Weaving light amid weighted Chains. Cervantes, man of bold. His final days, a breath at hand. “I’ve never done this, as you can see. Take my hand, Don Quixote, Lead your way.” As he hummed her song More Softly each refrain Decrescendos moved her From ivory key and wooden grain. She danced among the spiral string Grasping one, Then to another fling As words resound to book. Dulcinea, my sweet Dulcinea. It is you who’ve led your dreams. It is you, who I’ve seen, Sliding through cell bars As if winged among the strings. It is you who have led me Through the pages of your song. My Sweet Dulcinea [This message has been edited by miscellanea (09-29-2006 01:10 AM).] |
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© Copyright 2006 Cathy Farmer - All Rights Reserved | |||
iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Ah, Miss C., I remember this one. I believe it is even better than the first time I read it...did you change some things? *hugs*......jo |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Excellent Jo, but I am afraid that someone might be a little tired now from all that work....I am! |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Wonderful write CATHY! Very much enjoyed the read. Hugs~Nancy ~Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile~ [This message has been edited by Enchantress (09-28-2006 08:43 PM).] |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Miss C. -- just wow; had to get myself another peek. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Cathy! I enjoyed this very much |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Wonderful write, jo! ~ lol Just jokin'! I knew it was you, Cathy! Your Dulcinea is sweet, indeed! Thanks for the repost! It deserved to be brought back into the light! Lovin' hug, Linda |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
All you girls are just too sharp for me.. Jo, Cathy, Linda, etc.etc.etc.....who am I? Thanx for the heads up....sorry Cathy/Jo! |
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1slick_lady Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088standing on a shadow's lace |
beautiful |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Thanks bunches, Everyone. And...No apologies are needed! Even our mother used to call us the wrong name from time to time! I do appreciate the correction of names, though, especially because this poem is my baby. I love this poem! You might wonder WHY this is my favorite... There is much more going on in the poem than initially one might think. Many of the words and images came in a dream! Usually, I sweat out about ten re-edits/revisions after I post. This one went straight through the keys with any revision or editing! Speaking of keys, at the time this was written, I had two broken bones, stuck at home day after day except when I was taking piano lessons... During a lesson, my teacher showed me how to play the strings on her grand piano like a harp. That burned the image that played out in my dream. --now, after it wrote itself, it seems logical to make parallels in this poem: Cervantes, the author, wrote much of his work in prison. When I wondered how he managed to stay sane, it hit me; he may have invented music in his head, freeing himself from physical bondage. In my dream, Dulcinea, a main character of his book, was twirling around the piano strings. In essence, she, too, freed herself within cell bars/piano strings. It would have elated Cervantes to know his Sweet Dulcinea had become liberated. He would have told her, "Dulcinea, my sweet Dulcinea. It is you who’ve led your dreams. It is you, who I’ve seen, Sliding through cell bars As if winged among the strings. It is you who have led me Through the pages of your song" The beginning has significance, too. (First of all, my Dad used to recite "The Bells" as a child!) In my dream, there were bells. As you know bells are often associated with marriage, prayer, death... In the beginning, Dulcinea observed the ringing of a future, thinking that she had no future. A full life had been NABbed by circumstance of her poor social class. "The tintinnabulation The tintin nab u The tin, tin Full of ale Splattered on his face As bells rang Inclining her to leave the ugly place Like Cervantes, she had no future unless, she can escape her bondage. Cervantes is awaiting death, and, in circumstance, he is almost married to his character, Dulcinea (her bondage, social class) THAT IS WHERE THE BELLS FIT IN. The suggest a marriage has occurred between THE AUTHOR AND CHARACTER that will endure through their tragic lives. Their paralleled lives unify them as ONE. So...this is why it is my favorite of mine. Hope you will re-read it now that I've given history to its creation. In appreciation, cathy [This message has been edited by miscellanea (09-30-2006 10:41 AM).] |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
I love it even more with the full understanding, Miss C.! *hugs*....jo |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Jo, I think there are a few more puzzles in the poem. Here's another one to figure: "Against the stone with shine of sand, Upheld the wall a cell of man;" Glad you are enjoying this. It is the only poem I've written that had that keeps begging me to re-read it. It teaches me more everytime I read. Like I said, the poem wrote itself, and for what reason? Here's one more for you-what can the power of suggestion of this line do to foreshadow mood? (the tintin nab u) "The tintinnabulation The tintin nab u The tin, tin Full of ale Splattered on his face As bells rang Inclining her to leave the ugly place" Nabbed from a better life? And why bells? Just some food for thought... Well, morning has risen... Gotta run! Thanks for re-reading. cathy |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
The teacher in you came not only to play but to explain...a mark of a writer... and a good poet. I think it's time to place this one in the library. With a light. It is one of your VERY best, Cathy. " It matters not this distance now " Excerpt, Yesterday's Love |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
I read this three times before I read the 9th response those poems that come to us in dreams write themselves need no revision are our true children those we love with our hearts this poem shows us your love misc |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Sunshine, Usually, I try not to be a teacher. It may not come off that way, but I do try. I don't like being in the Lime Light. Teachers sometimes feel like they should be perfect and set good examples, but i realize I'm far from perfect in every aspect of my life. For a long time, I didn't tell anyone I was a teacher because I was too embarrassed I wasn't a good enough writer. I taught the younger grades and read little beyond a day's picture books. (Incidently, those books are really KOOL!) Piptalk has really inspired me to take greater challenges with my mind. I really appreciate Ron's creation and efforts, everyones' writing and everyone who volunteers their time to manage the site. In much thanks for your valued comments, misce' [This message has been edited by miscellanea (10-01-2006 01:07 AM).] |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
the Lady, How profound! "those poems that come to us in dreams write themselves need no revision are our true children those we love with our hearts this poem shows us your love" Yes!!! It is natural birthing! No epidurals or anything!!! Neat insight, Lady! I treasure your response! misc |
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