Intro to #6
Continuing
my minor epic Silk on the Road I offer this piece after the intro 1-5
poems, which have introduced the journey, I call Silk on the Road
which now must begin. I imagine this #6 piece as a prelude to the
journey proper.
My
plan for 52 was and still is to create / rework some 2016 /366
material to develop my
broader idea of a journey that takes place (only) somewhat
autobiographically during an inexact time set across the imaginary
lands (that part-mimic those of the fabled Silk Road, hence the
series title - although please think more magic-realism than
historical and geographic truth) in order to form a more lucid
narrative.
It's
a 'road-movie' in a way, with allegorical references to my personal
awakening, although the quest (of that) seems more to the truth.
I
use images because these are either created for or because of the
theme. It is intended my poems accompany the paintings and or vice
versa.
Back
to this 'prelude' ...after setting the sights and establishing a
'before / a past ' (#1-5) I aim here to declare my intentions to
finally start the journey. In the last poem#5 an apparition presents
and now there is no turning back etc...#6 Prelude hopefully speaks to
the absolute necessity to proceed from the 'vision' of #5
I
am unsure of this #6 ending – is it too swift, unclear etc / does
it allow for it's next 'chapter.'..poem?
What
of its middle and the overall rhythm pace?
The
sacred has a way of concealing true meaning
in
revered walls and glittering ornaments
ancient
pages barely lit rooms
chimes,
bells, softly chanted verses
is
a conspiracy to blind acuity
until
progress toward some elegance of what I speak of
some
ancient chamber or forgotten ruin excavated
do
those candles, flowers and incense become
anything
existent, reborn promising more
than
the thought of a lunch-time tale
commences
without a map without a mask
in
a darkness only a youth would conjure
beyond
forests, seas, the deserts and dead ends
who
slept rough in parks in-between couches here
there
is nothing, no team no religion no teacher
still
and stranded onstage timbers creak
each
one-step a history, a battle neither won nor lost
below
the law nothing can be said, of despair
finale's
curtain's up audience gone only actors remain
no
sound flowers art or poetry
so
begin this divine comic tragedy The Iliad and Monkey
travel
with their Sutras chanting the pilgrim's song
boil
lead from gold making smooth the rough
navigate
by braille, clouds and fugitive perfumes
trailing
whispers of alive mystery adventure
silk
on the road
image:
Silk on the Road, installation 2016 detail 1. Desert sand
rice paper silk synthetic polymer paint ink clay flower petals perspex canvas /
jskewes
Love the visual. I think that the ending is perfect. It’s a bit heady but I think that fits the theme. The only thing I’m not sure about is The Iliad and the Monkey. The Dante reference might be enough in one hit.
ReplyDeleteThanks Magdalena ... I see your Dante point.
ReplyDeleteI still feel uneasy regarding the momentum...
Wow! the visual is really great! to my eyes and understanding, the unfolding of the poem is Ok, and I can see or even hear the "prelude" you've spoken about in your introduction. What stroke my mind is about the first line: is really "true meaning" what you wanted to say? is this hidden meaning truer than others? or simply linked and related to another layer or depth or domain of "reality"? I wonder! this ""true" word is very offensive to me I must confess! As for Magdalena's remark concerning Dante and the Iliad and the Monkey ... I would say either add other references as a list (and it could be humorous, I mean offbeat humor),or just keep one because we understood from the beginning what's at stake.
ReplyDeleteThank you for those critical points Béatrice.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, one can easily overate the truth (especially a 'truer' one). It's a simple trap so off with its head! :)
Your remarks and observations referencing the variants of a Pilgrims journey is invaluable too! I will amend with something clearer here soon …