Sometimes I think there is a plan
ordained by God for mouse and man,
or could it be that all is chance
and life is just a random dance?
Yet who will answer? No one can.
Perhaps there's no one who can scan
beyond Mankind's allotted span,
and God is fiction, pure romance,
sometimes I think.
But how could I, coarse Caliban,
aspire to be a wiser man?
I dare not test God's tolerance
through prejudice and ignorance -
my horse of doubt's an also-ran,
sometimes I think.
A contest entry
- Rondeaux, s’il vous plaît by Peripatetic.
1500 points, ended November 24, 12 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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ala Descartes
It has been a long while since I imagined I knew God and about God more than the coarsest Caliban. The poem comes to grip with the understanding that we imagine God, but that he exists no less for that, and if he does exist at all he certainly must apart from that.
The poem is excellent in form and masterful in delivery of complex considerations of God and the knowledge of God as not the same thing. I am especially drawn to the lines
"I dare not test God's tolerance
through prejudice and ignorance -"
In these we see the facing mirrors of our vanity. The poet's Caliban is wise enough to know his perceptions are far too shallow for a subject so profound. Refusing to accept prejudice or ignorance about God, the poet decides that these as well as doubt must finish behind intuitive faith.
One note: Line 6 is just a bit awkward in its rhythm. It seems like there are too many stressed syllables in a row as it is presently written.
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Bravo!
I can't sop reading this. It is just lovely-- in both form and content.
Well done, sir!
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I snickered over this one ...
and have to say it's a truly great write. I see I needn't have bothered to enter this contest.
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Caliban, I did not think you gifted with so golden a tongue! In the past few centuries, since the bard catalogued your musings, how you've gained in eloquence!
I love your poem. I love your allusion to Burns, and your religious musings.
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The rhythm is that which I can sway
and easily can find the way
I wish you well in the contest!
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This reminds me a bit of Bobby Burns and the poet's description of self as Caliban is spot-on brilliant. Sometimes you think? Indeed you do.
Mac
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I think God is pissed because humans can't say his name, Bill. So much was forgotten when that apple got eaten... and then there was that thing with the tower. Thoughtful poem. *wags*
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Well done on the form and the subject matter you chose.
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Perhaps?
No ... there is NO ONE who can scan beyond and just in case you hear that someone returned, I'm quite certain that their schedule on the news will overwhelm us all!
Your poem, true to form, presents a posing question and a good answer too, don't test it!
Sometimes I think! j
y
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