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.
“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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wow very well said
“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
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.
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.
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.
yeah, that bit is creepy, I admit I should have my poetic license revoked there.
All of it.
It’s about being human. Being, not trying.
All of it.
It’s about being human. Being, not trying.
I think this poem is ironic. Midwestern ironic is often subtle and often hard to catch. To undo the ironic, it's not alright.
Robert Bly - What an incredible piece of work he is.
This is sublime!
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.
Never
Dissolving. The echo of defeat though, a proclamation of surrender were not necessarily wired for.
Well having once been in his presence- I need to cleanse my palate / no other sound ...
More please
?
Yeah, it was them.
His humour!!
Unexpected and thought-provoking from Robert Bly. I look to him for hopefulness.
I had to give Robert Bly another Fly By today. I so relate to this!