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Banned In Tibet

On an absurdly baroque Carousel,
a sickly scholar
dreamed an ethical dream
of polyphonous clouds
lofted by sonorous Calliope.
Chose the comfortable horse
he'd ride forever.

Why not?
No weirder than news of that
Dutch Boy.

The Lama (Dalai. Who'd trust the Panchen?)
taught that all
Good Religion
leads to Virtue,
so they kicked
him off
the Carousel.

Who says Germans are weird?

A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 9 of 9

  • Cannonsfire
    January 10
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    Tibet is one of those subjects no one seems able to touch for fear of burning in hell for a judgement on a people who pass no judgement in the way they live. Shame China cannot do the same. Philosophy by it's very existence makes the Dalai's idea's seem more modern in their simplicity, total disregard by the western world just shows us he may be right. C

  • pvenugopal
    January 8

    Edit | Reply
    They destroyed a more-than-two-thousand-year-old culture in Tibet. Culture of true religiosity running through the veins of an entire nation. Do you know each family in Tibet used to have at least one member following the path of Buddha in the past? Tibet could have been a beacon of light in these troubled times. What Hitler did was nothing. This is an excellent poem. I had to think quite a bit though and am still not sure I have grasped the whole.

    • NeedaMuse
      January 8
      Edit | Reply
      The ethical problem of eternal return is that everything we do, good or evil, will repeat forever. Consequently, our choices now will haunt us for eternity, hence the need to choose the right horse.

      The story of the little Dutch boy is that he saved Holland by putting his finger in the dike. Implicit in the story is that through his ethical choice, he lost the finger.

      The last parts are a reminder of sorts both that the West has traditions of ethical conduct and thoughts of eternity that the current government of mainland China has disregarded.

      • pvenugopal
        January 9
        Edit | Reply
        Another greater dimension opens up following your track. Good work.


  • Danna Hobart
    January 8
    Edit | Reply
    Is that the little Dutch boy who stuck his finger in the dyke? I felt like I should go back to philisophy class after reading this

    The Carousel is a brilliant symbol for religion as well as reincarnation.

    Thanks for entering.

    • NeedaMuse
      January 8

      Edit | Reply
      That may be the wittiest homophone substitution I've ever seen. My ribs hurt. It's not the one about Van Dyck, either. ;>).

      N rebelled against the philosophical mainstream & he's one of a kind. I think Lit profs do a better job than Phil, though.

      I've just been *dying* for a chance to work in something about the Chinese government's illegalization of the Dalai Lama's reincarnation.


      • Danna Hobart
        January 8

        Edit | Reply
        Yeah, what are they going to do when he is reincarnated? Put him to death? And put him to death, and put him to death...


  • Chocolate Dime
    January 5

    Edit | Reply
    Haha! This was weird and I loved the wording in it. Very unusual great job! AT first I thought you spelled Lama wrong but then I realized you weren't talking about the animal llama Very good work!

    • NeedaMuse
      January 5
      Edit | Reply
      Allpoetry won't permit all caps in the title, though, so the fact that this is an actual headline is lost.

      Thanks for the applause. I'm glad you liked it.

1 - 9 of 9