Poem (in progress): Thick With The Night

My poem, Thick With The Night, is an effort to translate my interpretation of two disparate pieces of modern literature; 1984 by George Orwell and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.  Knowledge of these two pieces will greatly aid you in your attempts to enjoy this admittedly complex poem.  If, however, you do not recall reading either of these pieces, it would help you to at least know how I, the author of this poem, interpret the afore mentioned works of literature(either rightly or wrongly).  

I interpret 1984 as a story of a society which fears oppression imposed upon them by an outside foe, aka.,  Big Brother. In other words the prison in which we are held captive is imposed upon us by an outside force.  Conversely, I interpret Brave New World as a work which foreshadows a day when our own pursuits, rather than an outside force, will become our undoing.  In other words the 'loves, longings and desires' we chase become the prison in which we are held captive.

That's enough for you to get started.

Imagining Heaven: The Day Without Night

I see a day - perhaps long in the distance or just yet to come - when I will stand between two worlds. For the briefest of moments, when the sun finally sets on this side of the horizon, I will awaken to the dawn of a new day in the great just beyond.  In the momentary merging of these two worlds, I shall say farewell to those with whom I have journeyed thus far even as I am welcomed into newness by friends and family who have already ventured into that great beyond.  Those with whom I have journeyed thus far will likely be unaware of the reality that I am with them, saying good bye.  In fact, apart from a general warming of their heart, they may not be aware of much beyond their own grief.  Where I will attend to the greying of the world's just before the white, they will contend with the darkness of a day enclosed by 'goodbye and nothing more to say,' all in one moment.

Poem: The Human Experience in Four Progressions (First Progresstion: Amidst Dreams Where We Leap)

Amidst Dreams Where We Leap

Borne forth in cold clay
Hardened whet for the One 

in whose hands

                I am naked,
                I am named,
                I am known.

I am called by name,

                to name the great throng!

More Than Mere Audience

The Audience. Culture and business thrive and depend upon it. In fact, human extistence seems to run on the fuel provided by the energy of the audience.  Consider today's technology. Nearly every component of social media are contingent upon having an audience. These audiences go by various names: followers, friends, pluses, links, etc. We all have them, we all - it seems - need them. Yes. We have become suspects in and victims of the idea that the world is an audience. An audience for whom we are the central player, in the central act of the central narrative called 'Our Amazing Life.' The stage is cluttered with pictures of last evening's meal and comments about one's latest revulsion and desire. All in the name of 'the audience.'

Of course, the need or longing for an audience exceeds both cultural and industrial dependence. A deep and abiding truth, shared by all of humanity in all ages, is the truth that we long to be 'connected' with others. We long for relationship. In a highly individualistic and consumerist society, it is mere logic that 'the audience' would seek to provide for this deeply human need. I have friends who work with young people in a variety of charitable organizations from churches to civic clubs. These friends speak with one voice when they exclaim that teens depend upon technology because it keeps them connected with others. This dependence feeds hunger and stirs craving for more, bigger and better audience. Thus, teens (and adults) sink ever deeply into their own audience even as the hunger for connection and craving grows.

A Father's Prayer

Recently, my wife asked me to write a 'blessing' for our daughter in honor of her 12th birthday.  Her request inspired a poem entitled A Father's Prayer.  I hope you enjoy!!