http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber
Today's poem has been slightly
revised (from 2017) for inclusion in the new collection of poems that I am
struggling to put together as my personal circumstances - along with everyone
else's - approach Kafkaesque proportions from time to time; although
restriction on mobility and retail are starting to lift as the Covid-19
coronavirus appears to be lessening its impact, it is still there, still a
threat, and many of us are concerned we may be coming out of lock-down too
soon, especially as we look at what is happening around the world, including
countries that appear to have been hit by a second wave after coming out of
lock-down. Oh, well, fingers crossed ... and let's all be careful out
there.
Readers sometimes email me to say they find browsing the blogs a problem as
there are so many poems. A good way is to use the search field in the top
right hand corner to search under subject;
e.g. history, nature, human
spirit, positive thinking, mind-body-spirit etc.
Oh, and if you enjoy at least some of the poems please recommend the blog to
others... although I really do appreciate that poetry is not
everyone’s favourite art form. wry bardic wink
Meanwhile…
I had not been long out of hospital
when I wrote the poem a few years ago and on a high dose of antibiotics to keep
nasties like sepsis at bay. I'd had a bad night and woke up suspecting I would
have a bad day so decided to try and write my way out of what was not a
promising start. Well, it worked, for me at any rate, and (who knows?) it may
work for you, too. Indeed, the power of positive thinking never fails to
amaze me. (Believe me, I needed plenty of it in hospital... )
If dealing with illness - or any dark forces - is a challenge for the human
body, it is no less of one for mind and spirit; indeed, I am not sure the three
can be separated, and regular readers will have noticed that often refer to
mind-body-spirit as one life force in the blogs; add the combined power of love
and positive thinking, and it should come as no surprise that many if not most
human beings are up for whatever challenges we face, whether they image the
landscape of horror, danger, whatever ...
ENGAGING WITH THE KAFKAESQUE or THE
LANDSCAPE OF NIGHTMARE
Dark, my world,
animated shapes conveying
little or nothing
to ease a so-restless mind,
unquiet spirit
No cheery sounds
of laughter over corny jokes
or cheery singing
out of tune at the washing-up
after dinner for two
Nothing and no one
to home in on for comfort;
shoulders to lean on
but shades of wishful thinking
on scrap paper
Kafkaesque, dragging
on senses that, oh, but faintly
offer resistance,
yet creating just space enough
for breaking dawn
Light, proving a match
for its nemesis, now a gathering
of sun nymphs
inspiring wings of a skylark
to force an entry
Song, waking the heart
to possibilities and potential
enough for mind, body,
and spirit to be curious, wake up
to the challenges
Copyright R. N. Taber 2020
[Note: An earlier version of this poem appears in CCandD poetry
magazine v291, Scars (US) 2019]
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