From Gay Reiser Cannon at the ever erudite http://dversepoets.com/ comes a rather complex challenge - including an attempt to define the modern - that you might care to check out for yourself.
............................................
Many there are hearing voices.
From tinnitus sometimes,
rhythms like speech.
From the brain's inventiveness:
speech in the sounds
of a torrent or breeze in the trees.
Epilepsy disorders the mind,
implants voices at times
even pictures the speaker, but
only the holy among us
imagine the voices
as coming from God...
And this God whom they hear:
how many voices might
they suppose Him to have?
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16 comments:
Non and all. Whispering or screaming?
Great poem, i always have to read it several times to let it in and to place it.
Dave, you always give birth to a completely perfect poetic unit.
Everything the way it should be, with a shot of philosophy and soul.
Just wish you hadn't mentioned tinnitus, which is my brand of voices.
An interesting piece. You could have taken it in a number of directions—like the little angel and demon sitting on someone’s shoulder offering conflicting advice—but when you talk about the many voices of God the scripture that jumps to mind here is 1 Kings 19:9-13 where Elijah is hiding in the cave but especially verse 11: ‘The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”’ Who was the Lord doing the talking and who was about to pass by? It’s a bad translation because the first is the Word of God (i.e. the Logos) whereas the second is actually God. Of course it’s only the holy who imagine the voices in their head come from God. It’s a cliché, of course, that serial killers all say, “God made me do it." My first thought was that this was a little on the prosaic side but on reading the article on dVerse I can see that this was intentional. I think perhaps there’s more that could be done with this one for all that. I say this after my wife refused to rubber stamp my latest poem but sent me off to rewrite it which resulted in a much improved piece.
it takes one with discernment to really see where the voices come from...the last bit is an interesting thought in i think we have found god has many voices...and not just the one we each hear...ha...nicely dont to form man
You write, as always, with such grace and wit, tackling the diverse. (Someone must be whispering in your ear!) k .
I agree with Brian... and this was a pleasure to read.
An interesting write, Dave. My answer to the question asked in the last stanza would be, "As many as are necessary."
A thoughtful and philosophical poem. Certainly you have written the form correctly. I certainly here a buzzing sound through all the stanzas that is a lot like the ringing in my ears. I think you have managed this form in an excellent way. Thank you!
So many good points in this one. The poem is so strong I honestly didn't pay attention to form, but I believe the form should be a servant of the idea. Really like this one, Dave.
Many voices, many. Engaging question and engaging poem.
Well-turned phrases really illustrate the way this form works its way into the reader's mind, subtly and naturally as speech, but enhanced and layered. I often wonder about the 'voice' that whispers us words, where it comes from...but as your finish says, I think that is a matter we can't likely decide. Nice work here, David--clear and clean but far from bare.
I didn't noticed the form as your message is thought provoking ~ who knows and who can really claim it is His voice that we hear ~
Wonderful writing - rich imagery and language
Excellent reflection on the vastness of mystery that might indeed be only an illusion. I like the fact that mixed in with skepticism is the compassion of understanding the humanity involved.
I enjoyed this, Dave. Written with your special touch. I might add, however, that only the holy or the crazy hear the voices coming from God.
Momo Luna
Thanks for. Good to have your visit and comment.
aprille
Aprreciate the kind words. I have tinnitus also. Went deaf in one ear a few years before I retired. The tinnitus started then. I often hear "voices" - but don't tell anyone, I wouldn't like it to get out!
Jim
Many thanks for such a meaty response. I agree it could have been takne further in any one of a number of directions, and, yes, you are correct: its prosaic nature was intentional. The time factor was also instrumental in preventing further development - getting it in before the "Linky" widget closed! I take your final point totally: I have often thought we could do with an editor to accept or not a draft as final - but sounds like you already have one!
Brian
Thanks for this Brian. Very encouraging to hear you thought it is to form. I had thought I was only half way there at best.
manicddaily
Brat! You've rumbled me! I have this beetle...
Thanks.
Laurie
All encouraging words gratefully received. Much thanks.
Marbles in My Pocket
Good one. Can't argue with that!
Beachanny
Thank you so much for your kind words. Much appreciated.
Victoria
I do agree with you on this. Certainly. The poem was part exercise, though. The theory being that the more competent one is with matters of form, the more it can be ignored.
Tommaso
Thanks. A good response to receive.
hedgewitch
Thanks so much for a delightful comment. It's really good to receive thoughts like this.
Heaven
Indeed, but people do. As I've said above, I have tinnitus and "hear voices". Very convincing they sound, though I don't (usually) hear the individual words - but I can quite see how some might think it actual speech and wonder where it comes from.
marousia
Hi. A wam welcome to you and much thanks for the kind comment.
Chazinator
Thanks for this. It has given me something to chew over. Good to have.
Mary
Agreed! - and much thanks.
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