Faces at a Window

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

Today's poem first appeared on the blog in 2016.

A friend once commented on how there's no disputing we live in a dangerous world, one that's the stuff of nightmares.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic the first thing that leaps to mid is probably the threat of terrorism leaps to mind; nor has that gone away either. There are everyday threats closer to home as well; racism, homophobia, street crime, gang warfare, cyber bullying, certain religious and cultural issues such as FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and the more barbaric aspects of Sharia law etc. etc.

Is it any wonder then that dreams and nightmares sometimes merge into a hideous quasi-reality? 

As for a face looking passively in at it all, that could belong to just about anyone, even one of our own personae that the conscious self we know and love either fails or refuses to acknowledge … in case it feels obliged to act rather than remain a critical bystander unwilling to get involved in someone else’s affairs? There comes a time, though, when we have to acknowledge that, like it or not, as part of a common humanity, we are involved...in helping, any way we can, to ensure not only its very survival, but its survival for the better.

Enter, the metaphysical poet John Donne: ‘No man is an island entire of itself…any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind...’ (Meditation XV1) 


FACES AT A WINDOW

Faces looking in
at a window
on my dreams
are always mouthing words
I can't make out

These faces looking in
at a window
on my dreams
always have a smile for me
no matter what

One face looking in
at a window
on my dreams,
it wears a wry expression
(knows me well?)

I struggle to imagine
what they see
as my dream-self
explores all time and space
of a subconscious
indulging in freedom
from restraints
along the lines
of universal dogma playing
war games
with mind, body, and spirit
or the temporal
manipulations of various
holier-than-thous
acting out an ages-old parody
of human justice

Faces looking in
at a window
on my dreams,
approving what they see 
for having a say

One face looking out
of a window
on my dreams
mouths I'm doing my best
(fair enough)

Waking at first light,
in time to catch
anxious shadows  
on my ceiling, dark forces
beating a retreat


Copyright R. N. Taber 2016; 2020