The Opposite of Time

[jisbell00]

The Opposite of Time


“What is truth?” jesting Pilate said,
and washed his hands – but I will not.
I’ll stand like Luther in my spot.
I’ll speak my truth. I’ll earn my bread.

I’ve come to eat my poems now –
and through my skin, they cast a glow
for all to see. Can this be so?
I scuff my feet. I take a bow.


Early traffic. “He that hath an ear,
let him hear.” Through the long night, traffic’s been
a soft basso continuo, and now
it’s joined by birdsong. In the sun-bleached field
that is the Eastern air, a rush of birds
knots and unknots. And I who have not slept
have work ahead of me, for thus the day
is given form and purpose and we eat.

I’ve said before, there is a song of praise
each atom offers. In this dawn, you’ll hear
the living and the dead lift up their voice.
So, make a wish! A hand, a willing ear
to guide you – is that such a foolish choice?


There is one week in all of time.
God watches – as we watch a glass
of water – as the seasons pass.
Like ripples, they don’t touch, but rhyme.

[CalebPerry]

Jim, I like it overall. There are a couple references in the poem I've heard but am not familiar with the stories behind them. I know a bit more about Luther than Pilate, and the quote isn't familiar to me. Also, I'm sure this was written in the larger context of your overall manuscript. What I'm saying is that I like the sound and flow of the poetry, but don't necessarily get the overall point.

If you eliminated the larger gaps, the poem would still read well.

[Macavity]

Much liked the imaginative image of glowing skin through the consumption of ones poetry John. If God was watching a glass of water made me wonder if She thirsts Of course, that would reflect some humanity

[jisbell00]

Hi Caleb, hi Phil,

Caleb, you called me Jim. Yup, Luther at the Diet of Worms said “Here I stand I cannot do otherwise,” meaning argue with the Catholic church, even if it meant being burned at the stake like Hus or Wycliffe. The Pilate quote is from Francis Bacon: “What is truth? said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer.” It opens his essay on Truth.
You’re also right, this is almost the very end of the religion/madness MS. called these days The Fractured Self. I’m glad it all sounds fairly musical to you ,that is good to hear, and maybe more important than catching every reference I’ve amused myself with!
I see what you mean about the gaps. They are a large part of the reason for the title The Fractured Self, and part of the mosaic of the thing. I think they work I nthat context.
Phil, glad you liked the eating of the poetry! I think the skin would glow after that.
Hmm, the glass of water question is an interesting one. Light in water interests me as an emblem of time and of the divine in Nature. Hmm. At least, that’s how it came to me. Maybe She is thirsty! as for humanity ,well, who knows?

Cheers,
John

[CalebPerry]

Sorry for calling you Jim, John. I must have been thinking of someone else. Sometimes I confuse those two names.

[jisbell00]

No problem, Caleb, Jim is a perfectly nice name.

Cheers,
John

[CalebPerry]

Maybe like a recent pope, who gave himself two names -- John Paul -- you'll give yourself two names if you ever become pope -- John Jim.

[jisbell00]

Very nice, Caleb!

Cheers,
John