In ancient Roman religion and mythology, Janus is the god of beginnings and transitions,[1] thence also of gates, doors, doorways, endings and time. Most often he is depicted as having two heads, facing opposite directions: one head looks eastward and the other westward. Symbolically they look simultaneously into the future and the past, back at the last year and forward at the new.
Janus Time
Spring is here !
New beginnings
as the crocus pushes forth to sun.
A whitsuntide to what the future may hide
But lets us not forget the mortmain
of our remembrance.
Then
we too
shall blossom forth!
Karin Anderson
The rejoicing of Springtime is beautifully depicted and I love "as the crocus pushes forth to sun". Thank you for your explanation on Janus and can now appreciate the remembrance you evoke with his poem too!
The rejoicing of Springtime is beautifully depicted and I love "as the crocus pushes forth to sun". Thank you for your explanation on Janus and can now appreciate the remembrance you evoke with his poem too!
narain, jay p.
nice poem
nice poem
Lynda Robson
A lovely poem JoAnn, it is full of hope for the future tfs
A lovely poem JoAnn, it is full of hope for the future tfs
poetwithcancer
Dear Joann, // This is a lovely poem. I'm so glad to be here, for another spring; and I hope to keep blossoming forth! // I'm glad to meet a sister poet who likes the ancient mythology. // Of course the month January is named after Janus. And in his namesake month we all follow his way, and we look backward at the old year, and forward to the new. // Janus was the guardian god of gates, doors, portals...and as the god of portals, he was also a porter. // Janus had among his tasks the task of cleaning up things--something that was considered important and difficult, so much so that a cleaning task was given to Hercules as one of his labors. No dishonor in being a cleaner; in fact, an honorble position, so much so as to be named after the god Janus: hence, janitor. // So too the word porter could mean someone who guards, or stands by a portal or door; or, in some contexts, someone who cleans. Relating to the word transport, a porter could also be someone who carries things--bags, for instance. // The main Roman god of time was Saturn, his Greek counterpart being Chronos, from whose name we get words like chronology, chronic, synchronicity, chronicle, chronometer, etc. For some reason, the name Saturn did not inspire so many words, although a day of honor is set for Saturn, once called Saturn's day, which long ago was shortened to Saturday. // I haven't thought of these things in a long time. Thanks for the stimulation in your excellent poem and your prefatory remarks about it. --Michael LP, Mr. Poet -- P.S. Two heads are better than one.
Dear Joann, // This is a lovely poem. I'm so glad to be here, for another spring; and I hope to keep blossoming forth! // I'm glad to meet a sister poet who likes the ancient mythology. // Of course the month January is named after Janus. And in his namesake month we all follow his way, and we look backward at the old year, and forward to the new. // Janus was the guardian god of gates, doors, portals...and as the god of portals, he was also a porter. // Janus had among his tasks the task of cleaning up things--something that was considered important and difficult, so much so that a cleaning task was given to Hercules as one of his labors. No dishonor in being a cleaner; in fact, an honorble position, so much so as to be named after the god Janus: hence, janitor. // So too the word porter could mean someone who guards, or stands by a portal or door; or, in some contexts, someone who cleans. Relating to the word transport, a porter could also be someone who carries things--bags, for instance. // The main Roman god of time was Saturn, his Greek counterpart being Chronos, from whose name we get words like chronology, chronic, synchronicity, chronicle, chronometer, etc. For some reason, the name Saturn did not inspire so many words, although a day of honor is set for Saturn, once called Saturn's day, which long ago was shortened to Saturday. // I haven't thought of these things in a long time. Thanks for the stimulation in your excellent poem and your prefatory remarks about it. --Michael LP, Mr. Poet -- P.S. Two heads are better than one.
kath
May your springtime be as filled with wisdom and joy as is your poem JoAnn. :) k xxx
May your springtime be as filled with wisdom and joy as is your poem JoAnn. :) k xxx
Frank James Ryan Jr./FjR
Mythology is most interesting,Roman, especially as well as Greek....Back in '07 i posted a 6 part series on Greek Mythology on PH....Avery fine job you have done here.....~ ~ ~
Mythology is most interesting,Roman, especially as well as Greek....Back in '07 i posted a 6 part series on Greek Mythology on PH....Avery fine job you have done here.....~ ~ ~
Sandra Martyres
A poem of hope and very inspiring too
A poem of hope and very inspiring too
carol
inspiring joann
inspiring joann
Spring forth oh Great seasonal past to heat Our hearts to tenderest last. Great poem! I will attempt to make My poems more rant free,in the future! LOL! Great poem! Wish I had one of those coins. I used to collect coins. LOL!