An ascetic's sonnet

[rick green]

Vast formless light into this gloom does fall;
When born into this labyrinthine tomb
The soul, a timeless oneness knowing all,
Begins forgetting life before the womb.
So senile months lead on to helpless years.
The gaudy play of matter fills our eyes;
We take for true the puppet-king of tears,
Bewildered by his infinite disguise.
No matter how we trim our candles’ wick
The glow shines less & less into the night.
We tremble at the clock’s incessant tick
And long for guidance from a stronger light.
Thus growing up is really falling down—
And loving life the surest way to drown.

[John Self]

Good grief, rick, this is wonderful - if about as uplifting as Larkin's Aubade...

[kumquat]

Yes, this is excellent.

[Colyngbourne]

Again, I stand in awe. Amazing stuff. http://www.bdshost.com/shark/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/bowdown.gif

[rick green]

:oops: You're all very sweet--thanks so much.

[HP]

There's so much meat on the bones, here. Chewing it over and again, you're rewarded not only by the truth and wisdom of the sentiments expressed, but the ease and lyricism of those lines. A lovely example of art concealing art.

Have printed this off, I like it so much. Oh clever, clever man, Rick!

[amner]

Goodness!

The gaudy play of matter fills our eyes

That's really terribly, terribly good. The recent stuff from rick, HP and kumquat has lifted this forum wonderfully well. Well done all!

[gil]

Excellent.

[rokknroll]

First post here, and wow, that is one of the best things i ever happened across on the interweb. Coincidentally, it resonates perfectly with my current mood, but cheered me up, so the resonance is a memory now..odd thing, that words can change moods.

[rick green]

..odd thing, that words can change moods.

Yep, pretty cool--amazing really, when you think about it. In fact, that's a good subject for a sonnet if I do say so myself! Thanks, rokknroll, for the inspiration. :D Hope you stick around & join the fun here at Palimpton Commons.

[Anonymous]

My first visit and I get the pleasure of reading this. Very emotive. Hope you don't mind if I print it out and add it to the message board in my office.