It is 398 BC at the Cafe:
It is chilly, even though it is the dead of summer.
The courtyard is filled by the usual motley group.
This could be the insides of an outdoor church,huddled in
the middle of an ivy-laced garden with the usual heretics,
with the belief it is not enough to have the courage of your
convictions—you must also have the courage to have them challenged!
Plato spoke of a divine madness—a “possession of the Muses.”
That having this madness was indispensable to the production
of the best poetry.
~Socrates enters~
“Is it better to be insane than to let them kill the artist in you?”
By them, of course, he was referring to the so-called healers;
the ones with gaunt-faced pensive smiles—moderate by nature, who
have taken too much of their own remedies.
“Can’t we be a little insane, or somewhat insane, without being
completely insane?”
I remember in Plato’s dialogue Phaedo, Socrates says that
a combination of sobriety and madness impels the soul to philosophize.
Sitting here, I’m wondering now if the same is true with art.
“Can’t we temper the insanity within, in a way that enables us
to be even more in touch with our muse, and so be even more creative
than we would otherwise be able to?”
Now I'm wishing I had brought my heavier cloak.
Not only is it getting colder, my ass can’t find a comfortable
position on this damn rock.
Anyway, I’m probably the last person to know sane from insane.
~An Insane Man Speaks Up~
“Hey! I’ve been taken away three different times.
Who are they to classify me as insane?
I’m one of the sanest, smartest people I know!”
Oddly enough he is not met with shock or derision.
We want to pepper him with questions. We want to know his story.
But before anyone speaks up, Socrates questions:
“Who better to comment with insight on insanity than a person
who has been labeled insane?”
I am hard pressed to think of any other setting in which a group
of people, most of us total strangers, would crave hearing more
from someone who’s just said he’s insane. But our attention
is soon diverted.
~A Statuesque Woman in a Purple Robe Stands to Speak~
“Socrates, are you insane?”
A lot of us are not sure how she got in here.
But this is an open forum.
This is the best question yet.
Who but the Master to answer a question with a question.
~Socrates~
“By what standard do you judge the limits of sanity?
"I have been labeled a corrupter of the youths of Athens, accused
of heresy and impiety, a virtual outcast— by that standard do you
think me insane?
"Are there anecdotes to explain or embrace the irrational?
Will anyone see the world as I see it, to define its depth and dimensions, to look with anticipation for the discoveries
of the unanticipated?
"Are we insane for not embracing empathy, to engage in the
common quest for understanding human nature through inquiry
and love for each other?"
"You tell me— am I insane?"
No one said a word.
Author notes
The interesting thing about the 'Socratic Method' was how philosophy evolved through the use of asking questions. One question leads to another, and then another . . . if you read some of Socrates' conversations you'll see exactly what I'm talking about. Somehow, I'm reminded of a dog chasing his tail.
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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How I enjoyed this, Jaden ...
absolutely my favorite of yours, next to the wayward poem
Now tell me, Poet, do you not think yourself sane to be able to make sense of insanity? I am often met with utter dismay and despair, for I love to answer questions with questions ... leading people into the clarity of maze within their own normalcy ... lifting labeling by dusty theories ...
My friend the psychologist Asthor of Iceland once told me I am the only sane person he ever met ... Does that make me insane?
I think he is biased, for he comes from the Land of the Myra Men ... 
Thank you for the giggle. And: for the time you put into this excellent piece. I see my beloved friend Donnz also had his rare moment of delight ...
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excellence
Sitting in the darkened corner, under the urine scent of my self / I think . . .
who cares what 'they say, someone gimme' a piece of charcoal, I just had a thought!
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Wow!
Great philosophical poem...about going around and around and around.
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“Is it better to be insane than to let them kill the artist in you?” - Yes, just like that, I think. You have so many introspective lines in this one and I was thinking how many people will not get through the whole thing because they will consider it too "long" and that is quite sad, when you actually get into the poetry and the revelations throughout. Now, this was written like a play somewhat, with the speaking of Socrates and how it sets the scene at the beginning. That is why I am not able to find a general area that could be tightened, as this is not about tightening, this is about telling, about how to make the words "feel" again. One question does lead to another and another, but without these circles and these questions in general, what would we learn? Sometimes I feel like poetry should consciously squeeze itself, it should bring up the questions that we can not always answer. A wonderful piece Jaden and it rolled effortlessly off the tongue.
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Yes, how true James. A statistical study was done last year on the reading habits of Americans. More than 1/3 of the adult population didn't even read one measly book in an entire year. The great writer and historian David McCullough (he narrated most of Ken Burns "Civil War" documentary) said that at a college graduation speech recently. He urged all the graduates not to be part of that 'non-reading' group.
I find it interesting how people on this site will read a poem, give all kinds of laudatory remarks, and never come back to read another single one. It's not that difficult, unless you're mentally lazy. Yep. It's sad.
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My father is a perfect example of that...He has not read anything since probably when he was a teenager and he's in his sixties now. So that says a lot. Now me, I read mostly poetry, but I do read and I do learn new things...Just not always from heavy books or even moderate books...Sometimes I'll read a whole book of poetry in one sitting and other times, in a few sittings. But I do agree that more people should read, something, anything. I always try to come back to a persons poetry who I've commented on, as I think many times we can learn a bit about ourselves in the process. It is sad though, indeed.
So how are things in general?
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