Wrap your mind around this,
your thoughts the tendrils,
insubstantial cotton candy fibers,
that ball themselves and stick to
the handle of this my preposition:
I am more than just
my face in profile,
snapshot glances that confuse
themselves with blind spots painted in,
or the minute expressions of
ghostly chemicals that exist
to pull the sharply angled levers
that twist my grey matter—
seat of the soul, if
such a seat inheres—
around itself in ellipses.
My mind moves in intervals,
fifths leaping lines and five-fold staffs,
leaving black marks unconnected
on the flimsy page,
before circling to become the ouroboros
and, having made the devil’s deal,
sees itself enharmonic—
augmented and diminished.
Yet beyond this self-created
Pythagorean music
I must turn my face
to reconcile the cadences of crow and dove,
and as a stranger in myself
welcome the apple’s ancient knowledge,
for there are as many
things in heaven and in earth
as are dreamt of in my philosophy.
Author notes
Author Name: Cool Jew
The title and last lines come from Hamlet (I.i.164-167): "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,/Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
The third stanza alludes to the circle of fifths, in music theory, and the notion of the devil's triad (which is an augmented fourth or diminished fifth). Enharmonic describes a musical tone that can be denoted more than one way.
There's also a big allusion to the concept of the Music of the Spheres ('Musica universalis'), first described by Pythagoras.
All comments and criticism very welcome.
A contest entry
- November Rounds #2 by CitrineSunrise.
700 points, ended December 11, 2008, 20 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
-
This one worked my grey matter. I like that. I can see that you are a thinker and have a way with expressing deep thoughts in intriquiging ways. Being a musician I especially loved the musical imagery used and found it all the more interesting as it was mostly imagery of music theory instead of music itself. That, my friend, was cool--very cool indeed!
Mazel Tov and congratulations on the Silver!
-
Wow. This is amazing. Thoroughly enjoyable. I am thrilled to see a trophy here. Exceptional verse. Congratulations. ~Pamela
-
Totally enjoyed this. What a wonderfully abstract perspective to take, and yet with such clear thematic statement. I love the inclusion of the musical imagery and other allusions. What a clever amalgamation! Congratulations!!!!!
-
This was an inventive interpretation of the contest picture and the imagery was strong and unusual. I particuarly enjoyed the musical education in fourth stanza and the new word "enharmonic". Thank you for your entry. Peace, Liz
Adding your comment:
