23 Comments
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Contarini's avatar

Good. But grim. I am still holding out for some victories, some preserved things, some rebuilt things once thought ruined. But for now, this is good.

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Tommy Swerdlow's avatar

I love this poem (and Bly). I find it hopeful, relieving, ecstatic and true. It doesn't matter how softly the musician plays, sooner or later the melody will say it all. We are not the great protagonists of our own story making fateful decisions. We are witnesses and wanderers and there is as much glory in defeat as victory. Nothing has given me more gold that my most ruthless ass-kickings--and having somehow survived them, made friends with those ruined things.

Bobby B knows.

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Marilyn Peterlin's avatar

Wow very well said

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Ethan Summers's avatar

“It's all right if we open the coffin and climb in.” is the line that I resonate the most with right now. In the last ten or fifteen years the shadow of death wreathed around in various forms grinning at me so much so that I began to wonder when it will be my turn… Thank you for the poem. It’s beautiful

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Berkana's avatar

Maybe Robert read a little astrology when I wrote this poem

Saturn and the elderly talk much more about resilience and overcoming than about defeats.

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Weston Parker's avatar

Though I understand the phrases and the gist, I can't say I pick up what he's really getting at. Nihilism, optimism, acceptance, resignation, denial,- can't decide.

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Patris's avatar

Well I’m not getting into a coffin willingly. Might fall in, might drown in, but not climb in. Besides I want a Viking funeral. Ashes into the air.

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Weston Parker's avatar

yeah, that bit is creepy, I admit I should have my poetic license revoked there.

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vernon's avatar

All of it.

It’s about being human. Being, not trying.

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vernon's avatar

All of it.

It’s about being human. Being, not trying.

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Charles Taylor's avatar

I think this poem is ironic. Midwestern ironic is often subtle and often hard to catch. To undo the ironic, it's not alright.

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Shannon McCloud Johnson's avatar

Robert Bly - What an incredible piece of work he is.

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Conny Borgelioen's avatar

This is sublime!

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Nate's avatar

Incredibly beautiful acceptance of the journey, some things appear unfortunate and miserable, good things will be heard, death is inevitable. We are not in control. Amor fati.

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Patris's avatar

Never

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Patris's avatar

Dissolving. The echo of defeat though, a proclamation of surrender were not necessarily wired for.

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Kerry Bart-Raber's avatar

Well having once been in his presence- I need to cleanse my palate / no other sound ...

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Patris's avatar

More please

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Mary's avatar

?

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Woke Marxist Pope's avatar

Yeah, it was them.

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Dian Parker's avatar

His humour!!

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Maha's avatar

Unexpected and thought-provoking from Robert Bly. I look to him for hopefulness.

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Shannon McCloud Johnson's avatar

I had to give Robert Bly another Fly By today. I so relate to this!

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