PAST MORTAL KEN, *** Sonnet in Iambic tet Options

[Thoth]

The tour is far, the route adverse
our quests beset with balk and woe.
Most outcomes of our toil obverse
and greed shall tax what seed we sow.
Today, great rivers test our mind
that desert plains tomorrow be
lush pastures vast and unconfined;
more fertile than the plundered sea.

Tomorrow’s walls we need transcend
should man aspire to touch the stars;
at cost mere kings can’t comprehend,
untranquil mist our wisdom bars . . .
Whilst dreams yet dreams may long remain,
we’ll dream our God-games just the same.

Edit 1







This sonnet peeps into mankind’s indomitable will to master his environment at all cost, against adversity and setback. Although the wisdom of such endeavors could at times be questionable, without dreams we are nothing.


Copyright WW Schwim 22 July 2014

[Thoth]

Hello Larry, Thanks for those suggestions you are correct in the singular /plural issue.

Daniel, I somehow lost the original text. Closest is in Larry's crit. Sorry . . .

Syl, Nice to see you you popping in for a read and chat. Hope all is well at home now.

"Untranquil mist" was chosen very specifically to serve the sub layer. The negated verb has implications reach beyond the immediate visual verb (turbulent or roiling) I was trying to create uneasiness perhaps a conflict or threat.

"Mere Kings" and the symbolic importance of rivers, deserts sea etc also serve that sub layer. Immediate financial cost to reach the stars sits on the surface layer but below that is the cost to humanity which of course only Gods could understand.

Forgive my rambling. I never usually expose sub layers and symbolism , most readers skim the surface blissfully unaware and those few capable of seeing deeper will make their own interpretation.

Cheers all

Wally