Do not tell your child: 'No aircraft fly
Because the sky,
Is filled with new-fledged angels!'
(Thinking to shield off danger
With sugared babble!)
Childhood must end now. Seek an older fable:
Tell her that red and black and golden cock
Have crowed, that Ragnarok
Is on us, unchained Fenrir gapes
With jaw that scrapes
The clouds!
But say, too, when the shroud
Of darkness thins,
New grass shall spring,
And where a world was burned,
The lost gold chessmen of the gods be found.
Author notes
SPECIAL NOTE FOR "DANDELIONS!.
You may think that this is a little off-key for this competition but as I explain below: when I first really became aware of the words of the "Dies Irae" (I must have been about 7 - 8 years old at the time - does that still count as "childhood"? ) - I assumed that in the line "Teste David cum Sybilla", the "Sybil" was a reference to Voluspa.
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This poem, which draws its imagery from the Old Norse apocalyptic poem 'Voluspa',was written on 12 September 2001. It reflects how I felt at the time - and how I still feel...
(For those of you who do not know Old Norse, 'Voluspa' gives a mythic history of the world from beginning to final destruction (Ragnarok, the "twilight of the gods") - and then beyond to a new creation. The title translates approximately as 'The song of the Sybil'... and since childhood I have always associated Voluspa with the line in the Dies Irae that speaks of Judgement Day as being 'teste David cum Sybilla' - i.e. prophesied both in the psalms and in pagan apocalyptic poems...)
The quotation in lines 1 - 3 (adapted here slightly for poetry!) was e-mailed to me by a friend in the USA... as the 'explanation' of 9/11 her eight-year old daughter had been given at school!
A contest entry
- Invitation to the End of the World! by magicpie325.
700 points, ended July 6, 2006, 16 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Mythology Contest by wordsick.
385 points, ended February 8, 2007, 17 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Tragedies by Musical Renaissance.
700 points, ended June 15, 2007, 21 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Loki's Chains by Marzipan.
900 points, ended September 29, 2007, 7 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Horrifying History by redmarkonthewall.
900 points, ended November 21, 2007, 16 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - How you feel about 9/11 by R. Cole Ph..
425 points, ended January 7, 2008, 9 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - This Contest Is In Honor Of 9/11 by Kari.
1200 points, ended October 4, 2008, 35 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Tribute To 9/11 by Talking Toni.
1200 points, ended October 11, 2008, 40 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Remembrance of 9-11 QUICKIE by lesbian-in-love.
675 points, ended September 12, 12 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - prewrites contest!!!!!!!!!!!! enter!!!!! by foreveryourslove.
1120 points, ended November 9, 1071 entries
• next poem in this contest, • Add to finalists list, or remove from contest
Please do not feel under any obligation to comment on this - but if you do, please understand that I may not be able to acknowledge it for some time!
Comments
1 - 21 of 21
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Very well written. I liked it a lot. Thanks for entering and good luck!
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Vera
Very well written. My second read and comment.
I'm part Scandinavian myself. Which part has yet to be determined.
Beautiful, absolutely!
John -
Thank you for sharing your poem with Winklings, Vera.
This piece is very apocalyptic in feeling, but gives hope of renewal, (which did occur).
I agree that it's shocking a teacher would "package" the 9/11 attacks in such a neat, tidy and childish way. Great use of the comment.
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Great Form...
This a unique form and style...I like your perspective in this piece!!! Thanks for your entry and the best of luck in my contest!!!~~Toni~~...by the way great use of metaphors here...
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Dear Vera
Goodly writ!
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A very interesating and accomplished poem. Congratulations!
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This poem was not like the rest, it was very unique and was really touching. Thank you for your entry
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hey good write so kinda of confusing but very goo
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Ok, different. I said I would comment so I am. Again though I am not sure this is what I am looking for. It is pretty good over all though. Thank you for your entry. Feel free to add another.
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I love the combination of old norse mythology and modern western society. And I agree with the point you made, tell them the truth but in such a way as they can understand and know that the devastation will bring something better, rather than not telling them anything at all. xxx
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I liked this!! A really good poem combining the legend with the tragedy. I really liked the quote at the beginning. Great write!
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Thank you.. Sorry I cannot be more effusive - but I am realy very tired, having been working all night to finalize the notes for my new book which have been hanging fire for several months. Until now, I did not feel well enough to tackle them - and now that I have done them, I feel absolutely drained.
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good poem. i liked reading this one.
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I am glad you liked it...Though it pains me to have to put explanations of what ought to be part of the mythic heritage of everyone aspiring to write in English. Alas, modern so-called "education" leaves no time for such fundamentals!
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Not really sure if this is about the End of the World either, but definitely a good poem. Beautiful especially when spoken out loud.
Thank you, and good luck in the contest. -
Interesting write. I like it.
Reminds me somehow of "The Forge Of God", or rather the ending of "The Forge Of God". Anyway, good job. -
Wow. Thats got my attention. BYE!
*the grub of eater^ -
Wow. Make my heart go thump.
~**~ NOOOOO WOOODY!!!! ~*~
Tweedle Da Dee -
Nice write, definately different, very brief and small use of Ragnarok and of Fenrir.
Thank you for entering and good luck. -
Excellent! I am familiar with this legend! You did a wonderful job with it!!!!
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Thank you for your entry yet another different type of write in the contest i enjoyed the read thank you good luck Brian.
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