I (My Pleiades Poem)
I only see you now obiqliquely.
In the corners of my mind.
Ink blots block the light away.
Inward looking eyes are blind.
Inch by inch a new life calls me
Into something strange, unknown.
If I go there, will you know me, shining all alone?
poetwithcancer
Dear Kath, I hisitated to make this comment, because you now have the appropriate number, seven. Mine will make eight. I have had an intense interest in the Pleiades for years, and they have been the subject of many a poem by me, over time, both the myth and the stars. I have approached the seven sisters from many angles. You have written a poem that deeply intrigues me, and partly puzzles me. Perhaps the intrigue derives in part from the puzzle. As you speak of a star or stars that you see only obliquely, I feel that the deep meaning of this poem is not explicit, but is indicated obliquely. I think that some of the meaning of this poem eludes me now, and I will read it several more times. Not so much in hope to find some of the hidden meaning, as simply to enjoy it. It is the feeling, the mood induced in me by this poem, that makes me like it so much. I believe that when you say "I only see you now obliquely, " it is to a person you speak. It might be someone you care about and want to care about you. Or, it might be you, the you of a future that will be, if you take a certain path. Either way--or perhaps both--you express the uneasy eagerness for change with "Inch by inch a new life calls me / Into something strange, unknown." I have to say that, regardless of the many possible meanings of this poem, such lines as these are beautifl and poignant, and strike many chords in my heart, both in my memories and in my facing of the future. I've been reading your poems for a long time. Now I don't get to read all of them anymore, nor as many as I would wish of the poems of others either. I'm glad I found this one, as I was briefly surfing the net. I'm intrigued by the line "Inward looking eyes are blind." Is this a refutation of Lao Tsu and others, or something more? Do I agree with this? Looking within, I know, can tell us so much; and yet I do agree with this. I feel it also speaks a truth. Pehaps it means that eyes that only look within are blind, and I surely believe that would be so. The line itself is striking; and because it seems to contradict the ideas of so many philosophers and mystics, it invites much thought to unravel its possible meanings. But your final line is the one that means the most to me and moves me in so many ways. "If I go there, will you know me, shining all alone?" First of all, setting aside its possible meanings, the words are so well put, and it evokes such deep feelings. It calls up in me so many memories of the past and many mixed feelings of facing an unknown future. I can see many possible meanings in that line. The speaker might mean that if a certain path is taken that leads to change, will the speaker still know himself or herself ater that change? Will the change lead to an isolation, shining all alone? I know it is very unlikely you meant such things, though I think you might have. Often a good poet writes more than the poet realizes. Or perhaps you are adressing another person, someone you care about and want to keep close, and you wonder that if you go down that path of change, will that person still know you? Still care about you? One thing seems clear, the phrase "shining all alone" shows that this path is going to lead you to a major change that will in some sense isolate you. I can take many of the lines of your poems to heart and give them personal meaning. Just speaking of that last line, I recall when I was debating with myself whether or not to post on the Internet poems about my illness, its progress, and how it affected me. This line cut deeply into me, because it expressed exactly how I felt--wondering if anyone would know me, shining all alone. If I went there. Thank you for writing a poem that is full of meanings for me, and has stirred many emotions in me. I will save this one for sure, and read it many more times. --Michael Sunday, February 12, 2012 11:02 AM PST
Dear Kath, I hisitated to make this comment, because you now have the appropriate number, seven. Mine will make eight. I have had an intense interest in the Pleiades for years, and they have been the subject of many a poem by me, over time, both the myth and the stars. I have approached the seven sisters from many angles. You have written a poem that deeply intrigues me, and partly puzzles me. Perhaps the intrigue derives in part from the puzzle. As you speak of a star or stars that you see only obliquely, I feel that the deep meaning of this poem is not explicit, but is indicated obliquely. I think that some of the meaning of this poem eludes me now, and I will read it several more times. Not so much in hope to find some of the hidden meaning, as simply to enjoy it. It is the feeling, the mood induced in me by this poem, that makes me like it so much. I believe that when you say "I only see you now obliquely, " it is to a person you speak. It might be someone you care about and want to care about you. Or, it might be you, the you of a future that will be, if you take a certain path. Either way--or perhaps both--you express the uneasy eagerness for change with "Inch by inch a new life calls me / Into something strange, unknown." I have to say that, regardless of the many possible meanings of this poem, such lines as these are beautifl and poignant, and strike many chords in my heart, both in my memories and in my facing of the future. I've been reading your poems for a long time. Now I don't get to read all of them anymore, nor as many as I would wish of the poems of others either. I'm glad I found this one, as I was briefly surfing the net. I'm intrigued by the line "Inward looking eyes are blind." Is this a refutation of Lao Tsu and others, or something more? Do I agree with this? Looking within, I know, can tell us so much; and yet I do agree with this. I feel it also speaks a truth. Pehaps it means that eyes that only look within are blind, and I surely believe that would be so. The line itself is striking; and because it seems to contradict the ideas of so many philosophers and mystics, it invites much thought to unravel its possible meanings. But your final line is the one that means the most to me and moves me in so many ways. "If I go there, will you know me, shining all alone?" First of all, setting aside its possible meanings, the words are so well put, and it evokes such deep feelings. It calls up in me so many memories of the past and many mixed feelings of facing an unknown future. I can see many possible meanings in that line. The speaker might mean that if a certain path is taken that leads to change, will the speaker still know himself or herself ater that change? Will the change lead to an isolation, shining all alone? I know it is very unlikely you meant such things, though I think you might have. Often a good poet writes more than the poet realizes. Or perhaps you are adressing another person, someone you care about and want to keep close, and you wonder that if you go down that path of change, will that person still know you? Still care about you? One thing seems clear, the phrase "shining all alone" shows that this path is going to lead you to a major change that will in some sense isolate you. I can take many of the lines of your poems to heart and give them personal meaning. Just speaking of that last line, I recall when I was debating with myself whether or not to post on the Internet poems about my illness, its progress, and how it affected me. This line cut deeply into me, because it expressed exactly how I felt--wondering if anyone would know me, shining all alone. If I went there. Thank you for writing a poem that is full of meanings for me, and has stirred many emotions in me. I will save this one for sure, and read it many more times. --Michael Sunday, February 12, 2012 11:02 AM PST
Susan Jarvis
You do this beautiful form every justice, Kath. I especially like those blocking ink blots, and can relate to this wholeheartedly. And, as for the closing line, your shining light would be recognised anywhere. :)
You do this beautiful form every justice, Kath. I especially like those blocking ink blots, and can relate to this wholeheartedly. And, as for the closing line, your shining light would be recognised anywhere. :)
Fay Slimm
Kath this verse has left me speechless - - so superb the lilt of lines I have to keep it as a fine Pleiades. A first rate read and - -- Recommended.
Kath this verse has left me speechless - - so superb the lilt of lines I have to keep it as a fine Pleiades. A first rate read and - -- Recommended.
seema chowdhury
Well composed and a reflective write.
Well composed and a reflective write.
magnolia
Well done Kath, a Pleiades poem, with Pleidase theme. You are not alone !...Maggie :)
Well done Kath, a Pleiades poem, with Pleidase theme. You are not alone !...Maggie :)
Sandra Martyres
Good one Kath - please remember us when you have star status - I will know you!!
Good one Kath - please remember us when you have star status - I will know you!!
Иан Бoэн
I would know you anywhere.
I would know you anywhere.
Chaos1214
Ready to go and be a star, eh? Well, remember to throw a bone to us little people every once in a while : P
Ready to go and be a star, eh? Well, remember to throw a bone to us little people every once in a while : P
I look to the Pleiades whenever I need to humble my ego....that is if I can be awake and outside at that time of the night/morning. I like to think that it is the farthest I can see, and that I'm not alone, pondering life's mysteries. Nice write Kath.