 THE LAMB IN WINTER, For gentle crits |
Mosaic Musings...interactive poetry reviews > Archives > Archives > ARCHIVES -> Poetry for Crit Prior to 2011  |
 Jan 2 05, 11:48
Post
#1
|
|
 Ornate Oracle  Posts: 8,882 Joined: 27-August 04 From: Bariloche, Argentine Patagonia Member No.: 78 Real Name: Sylvia Evelyn Maclagan Writer of: Poetry & Prose Referred By:David Ting  |
THE LAMB IN WINTER
Leaping off Andean heights, white winds shriek across the steppes to lash both weak and bold alike in a fabric of untamed elements. The lamb in winter, reclaimed by forces vaguely understood by man, with thunderfists the cordillera whips the sheep against the fence, for endless leagues the snow is king wrenching life from gentle things. Gaunt pumas limp down to feed their young on lambs with iceblue lips. September yearns for signs of Spring, it's birthing time for feeble ewes, yet still the howling gale is pregnant with the wrath of vanished spirits that memory revisits; of ancient tribes that winka banished, keepers of this land's majestic hues where sun and wind and melting glaciers traced glades among pehuén (the Mapuche pilgrim's bread), not paths for a myriad cloven hooves to tread. The lamb in winter, forsaken on a raging land, awesome cosmic dance of snowclouds exploding in the skies. A dying lamb seeks warmth from the guanaco, statuettes of ice shaped by a mighty hand, reminders of man's foolish stance. The Lamb betrayed... - Yes, One died for me - a naïve child smiles, as her candle flickers in the blackout and Christ's wounds weep fresh blood. By Psyche Copyright Sylvia Maclagan, from "Patagonia Lost", Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2004. Words in Mapudungun (language of Mapuche, meaning "Earth People": mapu: earth; che: people) winka: foreigner, white man, often "The Liar". pehuén: Sacred tree with large nuts. Araucaria, Monkey Puzzle. guanaco: Patagonian camelidae with padded hooves. Note: Sheep erode the steppes with their cloven hooves and appetite for sparce vegetation. They were introduced by European settlers. It's now calculated that the soil can only withstand one sheep per five to ten hectares. Immense regions are totally desertified. Sheep are not generally sheltered in barns, even during harsh winters. On the other hand, guanacos have padded feet like camels, and are able to withstand long spells without food or water. They do not nibble vegetation down to the roots. Guanaco were herded by nomad Mapuche 7000 years ago. They do not erode the land. Their meat and wool were the mainstays of Mapuche economy, even after the tribes settled down to harvest crops. Nowadays, a small quantity of guanaco is bred for commercial purposes. Their meat is considered excellent.. ·······  ·······Mis temas favoritos
The Lord replied, my precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you. "There is no life higher than the grasstops Or the hearts of sheep, and the wind Pours by like destiny, bending Everything in one direction." Sylvia Plath, Crossing the Water, Wuthering Heights. Nominate a poem for the InterBoard Poetry Competition by taking into careful consideration those poems you feel would best represent Mosaic Musings. For details, click into the IBPC nomination forum. Did that poem just captivate you? Nominate it for the Faery award today! If perfection of form allured your muse, propose the Crown Jewels award. For more information, click here! MM Award Winner              |
  
|
|
| Guest_Nina_* |
Jan 2 05, 13:21
Post
#2
|
 |
Hi Psyche
You paint a very graphic picture of winter on the Andean slopes. I felt the cold and the bleakness reading your poem. [b]Gaunt pumas limp down to feed their young on lambs with iceblue lips.[/b] I love the visual image I get from these to lines. However you lost me on the last verse. I couldn't see how it fits in with the rest of the poem. I would appreciate enlightenment. Nina |
|
|
|
|
Jan 2 05, 18:03
Post
#3
|
|
 Ornate Oracle  Posts: 2,085 Joined: 24-May 04 From: Time, Immoral Member No.: 66 Writer of: Poetry |
A worthy write, Psy.
I seldom do FV, and comment on it even more seldom. However, I can honestly state I appreciated this one. For me personally, the final verse is unnecessary, as I am a non-believer and not into theology. My comments refer to the poem up to it. On the overall, I think that the final verse actually distracts, rather than adds, but there will be conflicting opinions. Thanks for the enjoyable read. Merlin 
······· ······· |
|
|
|
|
Jan 2 05, 19:50
Post
#4
|
|
 Egyptian Posts: 431 Joined: 1-August 03 From: Lee's Summit, MO, USA Member No.: 5 Real Name: Butch Writer of: Poetry & Prose |
Awesome, vivid painting.
I think I understand your last lines, and see how they fit. Although I'll voice to see if I do - Like Christ is the lamb sacrificed so that others, in this case a small child, shall live? If not, then maybe I missed as well. I do have to admit one flaw, I found the native words distracting at first. However, upon reading the definitions, and then going back over, I understand. I love nature, beast and man tales, especially the conflicts. Otherwise, outstanding, thank you for sharing. Charon 
······· ······· |
|
|
|
| Guest_Jox_* |
 Jan 2 05, 20:33
Post
#5
|
|
|
Hi Sylvia,
I'm not sure I fully understand this yet but, after several read-throughs, it is "growing on me" very rapidly. The following are my thoights, hitherto: "in a fabric of untamed elements." (Suggest verse-break) "The lamb in winter," Nina's right about the blue lips quote - brill! I'm not sure about the last verse, compared to the rest. I think you probably have continued the theme through but it is only explicit in that last verse - therefore it appears to be different. However, looking earlier I detect a few hints - e.g. "The lamb in winter, reclaimed by forces vaguely understood by man," could easily be taken to be a religious reference (especially in the context of that final verse). I agreed with butch about Christ as a sacrificial lamb - plus, of course we have the religious concept of people as a flock. The title is haunting me somewhat - sure I've seen others references to it in the past. This is a very evocative and allagorical poem. It certainly works on the level of geographical appreciation. I'm unsure to what degree it works on a religious level - maybe because of my ignorance. I shall follow others' comments to see if they prod my brain a little more and I then may be able to return if I have anything new to say. In the meantime, well done; I enjoyed this, Sylvia. Thank you. James. |
|
|
|
|
Jan 2 05, 21:20
Post
#6
|
|
 Creative Chieftain Posts: 764 Joined: 18-October 04 From: Sabah, Malaysia Member No.: 80 Writer of: Poetry |
Hi Sylvia,
I can picture winter from your vivid dsecription of it. white winds shriek across the steppes to lash both weak and bold alike in a fabric of untamed elements. I love the tale of animals Gaunt pumas limp down to feed their young on lambs with iceblue lips. and the last part as well The Lamb betrayed... - Yes, One died for me - a naïve child smiles, as her candle flickers in the blackout and Christ's wounds weep fresh blood. I have enjoyed the read.Thanks for sharing. Aggiel ······· ······· |
|
|
|
| Guest_Toumai_* |
Jan 3 05, 03:09
Post
#7
|
|
|
Sylvia, this strikes me on first meeting a as a chilling dark tale of heavenly - or at least elemental - power over nature and man's intervention.
I'm not sure I understand your implications; but it is so evoctive and the language so fitting that I read it and came away feeling very solomn and meditative: sometimes understanding isn't everything. The gaunt pumas and lambs with ice-blue lips definitely the best line/image but there are no lines that grate on my ear; it is all wonderful writing. Thank you for the pictures of this world. Fran |
|
|
|
|
Jan 3 05, 08:39
Post
#8
|
|
|
Ornate Oracle Posts: 8,882 Joined: 27-August 04 From: Bariloche, Argentine Patagonia Member No.: 78 Real Name: Sylvia Evelyn Maclagan Writer of: Poetry & Prose Referred By:David Ting |
QUOTE(Nina @ Jan. 02 2005, 13:21) Hi Psyche You paint a very graphic picture of winter on the Andean slopes. I felt the cold and the bleakness reading your poem. [b]Gaunt pumas limp down to feed their young on lambs with iceblue lips.[/b] I love the visual image I get from these to lines. However you lost me on the last verse. I couldn't see how it fits in with the rest of the poem. I would appreciate enlightenment. Nina Hi Nina ! Thank you so much for sending in your comments. Sorry you felt the cold and bleakness of that record-breaking winter in Patagonia, about 6 years ago. I was inspired to write the poem on seeing the photos in newspapers that year. There were literally "statuettes of ice" (frozen animals, sometimes people) numbered in the millions. I realise this poem is a little out of context, posted alone, since it is part of my collection "Patagonia Lost". Throughout my collection (which is on a waiting-list to be published in Buenos Aires, in the land of "mañana", er... "tomorrow"...), I refer quite often to a "fair child" who wanders in and out of various scenarios. She may be ME, but not necessarily. She is probably just representative of any second or third generation descendants of the first settlers in Patagonia, Argentina. Although South America was mainly conquered by the Spanish, Patagonia was generally populated by nordic peoples. They were mostly religious, of Protestant denominations. Children were brought up in a religious culture. The Spanish settlers were Catholic and more evangelical, but the Protestants were not far behind in these matters. I agree that my last stanza may not be understood adequately. The small child simply relates the death of millions of lambs to the death of Christ, who is often referred to as The Lamb, in a sacrificial context. Christ's "wounds weep fresh blood" because Man continues to misinterpret the Scriptures, Nature, land management or you name it ... The phrase may be taken religiously, metaphorically or even literally (some people claim to have seen drops of blood on crucifixes, or saints weeping tears of blood). My poetry is not confessional, I simply write what I observe or feel, the rest is out of my hands....  ... I may edit the poem after having studied the other crits :) Thank you so much, Nina, and I hope to visit you soon, Psyche hey... the dove's gone !!! Cleo......?! 
······· ·······Mis temas favoritos
The Lord replied, my precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you. "There is no life higher than the grasstops Or the hearts of sheep, and the wind Pours by like destiny, bending Everything in one direction." Sylvia Plath, Crossing the Water, Wuthering Heights. Nominate a poem for the InterBoard Poetry Competition by taking into careful consideration those poems you feel would best represent Mosaic Musings. For details, click into the IBPC nomination forum. Did that poem just captivate you? Nominate it for the Faery award today! If perfection of form allured your muse, propose the Crown Jewels award. For more information, click here! MM Award Winner |
|
|
|
|
Jan 3 05, 08:57
Post
#9
|
|
|
Ornate Oracle Posts: 8,882 Joined: 27-August 04 From: Bariloche, Argentine Patagonia Member No.: 78 Real Name: Sylvia Evelyn Maclagan Writer of: Poetry & Prose Referred By:David Ting |
QUOTE(Merlin @ Jan. 02 2005, 18:03) A worthy write, Psy. I seldom do FV, and comment on it even more seldom. However, I can honestly state I appreciated this one. For me personally, the final verse is unnecessary, as I am a non-believer and not into theology. My comments refer to the poem up to it. On the overall, I think that the final verse actually distracts, rather than adds, but there will be conflicting opinions. Thanks for the enjoyable read. Merlin Hi Merlin ! Nice to meet you here ! :wizard: I appreciate your comments very much indeed, especially since the last stanza goes against the grain for you. Excuse my ignorance, but what is FV? :blush21: Personally, I'm not particularly interested in whether people are believers or not, in the same way that I don't go around declaring my own views on religions. That is, not unless I'm asked under certain circumstances, in a dialogue, for instance, and in a friendly atmosphere :) The poem simply ends with a naïve child's interpretation of the events. I didn't realise some people might think the whole poem was religious, but if some wish it that way, and others don't, that's OK with me. Just happy if it gets read !!! :blush21: Hope to visit you eventually, Merlin. Nina and I were talking about "family interruptions".... just so !! Best, Psyche :wave: ······· ·······Mis temas favoritos
The Lord replied, my precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you. "There is no life higher than the grasstops Or the hearts of sheep, and the wind Pours by like destiny, bending Everything in one direction." Sylvia Plath, Crossing the Water, Wuthering Heights. Nominate a poem for the InterBoard Poetry Competition by taking into careful consideration those poems you feel would best represent Mosaic Musings. For details, click into the IBPC nomination forum. Did that poem just captivate you? Nominate it for the Faery award today! If perfection of form allured your muse, propose the Crown Jewels award. For more information, click here! MM Award Winner |
|
|
|
| Guest_Nina_* |
Jan 3 05, 09:05
Post
#10
|
|
|
Hi Psyche
Thanks for your explanation. It helped me to understand the meaning of the last verse. The small child simply relates the death of millions of lambs to the death of Christ, who is often referred to as The Lamb, in a sacrificial context. Christ's "wounds weep fresh blood" because Man continues to misinterpret the Scriptures, Nature, land management or you name it I am not a Christian so I was unaware that Christ is often referred to as The Lamb. Hence the reason I didn't grasp the significance. Perhaps you need two versions of the poem. One for using as a stand-alone piece and the other with the last verse included when used as part of a bigger work. Finally please don't apologise for making me feel cold, it shows your skill at setting the scene. Nina |
|
|
|
|
Jan 3 05, 09:45
Post
#11
|
|
|
Ornate Oracle Posts: 8,882 Joined: 27-August 04 From: Bariloche, Argentine Patagonia Member No.: 78 Real Name: Sylvia Evelyn Maclagan Writer of: Poetry & Prose Referred By:David Ting |
QUOTE(Charon @ Jan. 02 2005, 19:50) Awesome, vivid painting. I think I understand your last lines, and see how they fit. Although I'll voice to see if I do - Like Christ is the lamb sacrificed so that others, in this case a small child, shall live? If not, then maybe I missed as well. I do have to admit one flaw, I found the native words distracting at first. However, upon reading the definitions, and then going back over, I understand. I love nature, beast and man tales, especially the conflicts. Otherwise, outstanding, thank you for sharing. Charon G'morning, Charon ! Yes, I hoped it would sound awesome. The actual events that winter were indeed awesome, the images in the papers were sort of unreal and also heartbreaking, as well as thought-provoking. And yes, I see you get the ending, seen thru' the mind of a small child who witnesses the catastrophe. For christian people, as is widely understood, the Lamb (Jesus) is sacrificed so that others might Live. I'm writing Live with a capital letter because it is intended to mean "saved", that is to say, saved for an afterlife with God. The child simply relates the events to her religious upbringing. In my original poem, I put "fair child" instead of "naïve". I think I shall switch back again. Sorry about the Mapuche words. Mapudungun is, in actual fact, a very poetic language, and no translation does it justice. In Mapudungun words change meanings frequently, depending on circumstances, intonation, mood, whatever.. I love nature, beast and man tales, especially the conflicts. Quite so, Charon, so do I. I'm trying to write something about the tsunami, but it's difficult to put into words. Thanks for the visit and encouraging comments ! Psyche :borg: :wolf: ······· ·······Mis temas favoritos
The Lord replied, my precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you. "There is no life higher than the grasstops Or the hearts of sheep, and the wind Pours by like destiny, bending Everything in one direction." Sylvia Plath, Crossing the Water, Wuthering Heights. Nominate a poem for the InterBoard Poetry Competition by taking into careful consideration those poems you feel would best represent Mosaic Musings. For details, click into the IBPC nomination forum. Did that poem just captivate you? Nominate it for the Faery award today! If perfection of form allured your muse, propose the Crown Jewels award. For more information, click here! MM Award Winner |
|
|
|
|
Jan 3 05, 10:14
Post
#12
|
|
|
Ornate Oracle Posts: 8,882 Joined: 27-August 04 From: Bariloche, Argentine Patagonia Member No.: 78 Real Name: Sylvia Evelyn Maclagan Writer of: Poetry & Prose Referred By:David Ting |
QUOTE(Jox @ Jan. 02 2005, 20:33) Hi Sylvia, I'm not sure I fully understand this yet but, after several read-throughs, it is "growing on me" very rapidly. The following are my thoights, hitherto: "in a fabric of untamed elements." (Suggest verse-break) "The lamb in winter," Nina's right about the blue lips quote - brill! I'm not sure about the last verse, compared to the rest. I think you probably have continued the theme through but it is only explicit in that last verse - therefore it appears to be different. However, looking earlier I detect a few hints - e.g. "The lamb in winter, reclaimed by forces vaguely understood by man," could easily be taken to be a religious reference (especially in the context of that final verse). I agreed with butch about Christ as a sacrificial lamb - plus, of course we have the religious concept of people as a flock. The title is haunting me somewhat - sure I've seen others references to it in the past. This is a very evocative and allagorical poem. It certainly works on the level of geographical appreciation. I'm unsure to what degree it works on a religious level - maybe because of my ignorance. I shall follow others' comments to see if they prod my brain a little more and I then may be able to return if I have anything new to say. In the meantime, well done; I enjoyed this, Sylvia. Thank you. James. Hi Jox ! Gee... you people keep me nice n' busy. I haven't edited my other poem yet, please don't think I haven't taken into account your highly useful pointers. I shall have to make a list called "Things to do at MM"... :jester: I agree about the verse break, but I'm not sure I've interpreted how to manage it. Will re-read and compare, thanks a lot, Jox. Perhaps the title reminds you of the movie "The Lion in Winter", with Peter O'Toole and Katherine Hepburn? When I put that title the movie came to mind, or vice-versa, but I don't think my poem has anything in common with it, far as I know.. years apart ! No, Jox, "reclaimed by forces vaguely understood by man" has no intentional religious meaning. I definitely had in mind Nature's forces, but there's no reason why religious people needn't connect the two, or anyone else, for that matter. I hadn't meant the poem to work on a religious level. Maybe I should rethink it. As I said elsewhere, the ending is a child's interpretation, perhaps a child's consolation, while living through those terrible snowstorms that lasted well into our Patagonian Spring. Perhaps the child was frightened. Religion works very well for many people in critical situations. My Patagonian collection has a "fair child" who pops up here and there, witnessing paradoxical events, in an Alice sort of fashion, but without L.C.'s genius.... :speechless: :wall: Apart from these religious issues that always stir controversy :oops: or confusion, I'm delighted that you took the trouble to re-read my poem and that you enjoyed it. Thanks a lot, Jox, Psyche :snowflake: ······· ·······Mis temas favoritos
The Lord replied, my precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you. "There is no life higher than the grasstops Or the hearts of sheep, and the wind Pours by like destiny, bending Everything in one direction." Sylvia Plath, Crossing the Water, Wuthering Heights. Nominate a poem for the InterBoard Poetry Competition by taking into careful consideration those poems you feel would best represent Mosaic Musings. For details, click into the IBPC nomination forum. Did that poem just captivate you? Nominate it for the Faery award today! If perfection of form allured your muse, propose the Crown Jewels award. For more information, click here! MM Award Winner |
|
|
|
|
Jan 3 05, 10:34
Post
#13
|
|
|
Ornate Oracle Posts: 8,882 Joined: 27-August 04 From: Bariloche, Argentine Patagonia Member No.: 78 Real Name: Sylvia Evelyn Maclagan Writer of: Poetry & Prose Referred By:David Ting |
QUOTE(Toumai @ Jan. 03 2005, 03:09) Sylvia, this strikes me on first meeting a as a chilling dark tale of heavenly - or at least elemental - power over nature and man's intervention. I'm not sure I understand your implications; but it is so evoctive and the language so fitting that I read it and came away feeling very solomn and meditative: sometimes understanding isn't everything. The gaunt pumas and lambs with ice-blue lips definitely the best line/image but there are no lines that grate on my ear; it is all wonderful writing. Thank you for the pictures of this world. Fran Good afternoon, Toumai ! this strikes me on first meeting a as a chilling dark tale of heavenly - or at least elemental - power over nature and man's intervention. Yes, quite so. I hoped to transmit that. "Elemental" is the frightening part, that such forces should have power over nature as well as man's tampering with her. We do not really know whether "nature" is a power in herself, or whether other forces are at work that only physics can attempt to explain. I say "attempt" because Physics is continually changing its paradigms and, at least in my humble opinion, does not have the last word any more than other sciences do. There is always the mystery behind everything, the question. sometimes understanding isn't everything. Thanks for that ! I often don't understand what I write or even myself, let alone catastrophes... your comments are making ME solemn and meditative... :pharoah2 Thank you so much for dropping by, best, Psyche 
······· ·······Mis temas favoritos
The Lord replied, my precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you. "There is no life higher than the grasstops Or the hearts of sheep, and the wind Pours by like destiny, bending Everything in one direction." Sylvia Plath, Crossing the Water, Wuthering Heights. Nominate a poem for the InterBoard Poetry Competition by taking into careful consideration those poems you feel would best represent Mosaic Musings. For details, click into the IBPC nomination forum. Did that poem just captivate you? Nominate it for the Faery award today! If perfection of form allured your muse, propose the Crown Jewels award. For more information, click here! MM Award Winner |
|
|
|
|
Jan 3 05, 11:02
Post
#14
|
|
|
Ornate Oracle Posts: 8,882 Joined: 27-August 04 From: Bariloche, Argentine Patagonia Member No.: 78 Real Name: Sylvia Evelyn Maclagan Writer of: Poetry & Prose Referred By:David Ting |
QUOTE(Aggiel @ Jan. 02 2005, 21:20) Hi Sylvia, I can picture winter from your vivid dsecription of it. white winds shriek across the steppes to lash both weak and bold alike in a fabric of untamed elements. I love the tale of animals Gaunt pumas limp down to feed their young on lambs with iceblue lips. and the last part as well The Lamb betrayed... - Yes, One died for me - a naïve child smiles, as her candle flickers in the blackout and Christ's wounds weep fresh blood. I have enjoyed the read.Thanks for sharing. Aggiel Hi Aggiel ! I am relieved to know that you can picture winter from my description of it. That's comforting, regarding my poetical efforts. I assume that you do not or have not experienced harsh winters, except maybe on trips away from home? The Lamb betrayed... - Yes, One died for me - a naïve child smiles, as her candle flickers in the blackout and Christ's wounds weep fresh blood. I am glad that you like the ending, independently of religious beliefs. In a literal sense, the lambs are betrayed by man's casual approach to their care. This is especially significant in Patagonia, a vast region where only recently people are becoming aware of the need to rethink farming methods. Because of the immensity of the area, the scrublands were considered an adequate place to dump sheep, which survived on their own fairly well, except in extreme circumstances, as described in the poem. Then farmers lament the loss of their entire flocks... but they never took precautionary measures to reduce losses. I'm very glad you enjoyed the read...  Best, Psyche 
······· ·······Mis temas favoritos
The Lord replied, my precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you. "There is no life higher than the grasstops Or the hearts of sheep, and the wind Pours by like destiny, bending Everything in one direction." Sylvia Plath, Crossing the Water, Wuthering Heights. Nominate a poem for the InterBoard Poetry Competition by taking into careful consideration those poems you feel would best represent Mosaic Musings. For details, click into the IBPC nomination forum. Did that poem just captivate you? Nominate it for the Faery award today! If perfection of form allured your muse, propose the Crown Jewels award. For more information, click here! MM Award Winner |
|
|
|
|
Jan 3 05, 11:11
Post
#15
|
|
|
Ornate Oracle Posts: 8,882 Joined: 27-August 04 From: Bariloche, Argentine Patagonia Member No.: 78 Real Name: Sylvia Evelyn Maclagan Writer of: Poetry & Prose Referred By:David Ting |
Hi again, Nina !
Glad you understood my clumsy attempts at explanations. Poems are often difficult to "explain", not to mention religious concepts. Perhaps you need two versions of the poem. One for using as a stand-alone piece and the other with the last verse included when used as part of a bigger work. This is an excellent suggestion. I'll take this into account. For the moment, I have to provide lunch for three people, but my mind nevertheless keeps working on ideas unless the interruption is well... awesome ! :jester: Thank you so much, Nina ! Best, Psyche :snowflake: ······· ·······Mis temas favoritos
The Lord replied, my precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you. "There is no life higher than the grasstops Or the hearts of sheep, and the wind Pours by like destiny, bending Everything in one direction." Sylvia Plath, Crossing the Water, Wuthering Heights. Nominate a poem for the InterBoard Poetry Competition by taking into careful consideration those poems you feel would best represent Mosaic Musings. For details, click into the IBPC nomination forum. Did that poem just captivate you? Nominate it for the Faery award today! If perfection of form allured your muse, propose the Crown Jewels award. For more information, click here! MM Award Winner |
|
|
|
|
Jan 7 05, 05:45
Post
#16
|
|
 Ornate Oracle Posts: 3,660 Joined: 23-August 03 From: Somerset, England Member No.: 22 Real Name: Grace Writer of: Poetry & Prose |
Good morning my dear friend
This reads like something out of National Geographic. Absolutely stunning in its depiction of hardship and glacial weather. Another learning curve for me with more wonderful Patagonian words to learn. There was just one part I couldn't quite grasp Sylvia. with thunderfists the cordillera whips the sheep against the fence, I looked up cordillera (A mountain ridge or chain) but couldn't quite grasp the context. At first I thought it must be a wind. Can you help? Loved the read ~ as always, written in your own inimitable style. BTW Your dove is not gone forever. Just TYPE colondovecolon (using the symbol for colon of course. I can't do that or the dove would appear  )
······· ······· Love
Grace  http://mysite.orange.co.uk/graceingreece Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Nominate a tile for the Crown Jewels and Faery Awards today! For details, go to the Valley of the Kings! MM Award Winner   |
|
|
|
|
Jan 7 05, 05:49
Post
#17
|
|
|
Ornate Oracle Posts: 3,660 Joined: 23-August 03 From: Somerset, England Member No.: 22 Real Name: Grace Writer of: Poetry & Prose |
Hi James :sun:
Re your query on the title seeming familiar. Could you be thinking of that other animal THE LION IN WINTER (HENRY II) ? ······· ······· Love
Grace http://mysite.orange.co.uk/graceingreece Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Nominate a tile for the Crown Jewels and Faery Awards today! For details, go to the Valley of the Kings! MM Award Winner |
|
|
|
|
Jan 7 05, 12:28
Post
#18
|
|
|
Ornate Oracle Posts: 8,882 Joined: 27-August 04 From: Bariloche, Argentine Patagonia Member No.: 78 Real Name: Sylvia Evelyn Maclagan Writer of: Poetry & Prose Referred By:David Ting |
QUOTE(Cybele @ Jan. 07 2005, 07:45) Good morning my dear friend This reads like something out of National Geographic. Absolutely stunning in its depiction of hardship and glacial weather. Another learning curve for me with more wonderful Patagonian words to learn. There was just one part I couldn't quite grasp Sylvia. with thunderfists the cordillera whips the sheep against the fence, I looked up cordillera (A mountain ridge or chain) but couldn't quite grasp the context. At first I thought it must be a wind. Can you help? Loved the read ~ as always, written in your own inimitable style. BTW Your dove is not gone forever. Just TYPE colondovecolon (using the symbol for colon of course. I can't do that or the dove would appear )Hello Cybele !! Missed you at MM.... :) I did send you an MM e.card, hope you got it !! Thanks so much for stepping into my Patagonian pastures once more, as well as giving me your highly useful comments and encouragement. Yes, the title... I believe John must have had the movie The Lion in Winter in mind, with Peter O'Toole and Katherine Hepburn. Perhaps I got the idea from there, I know at some point I realised the association, but decided to leave it as it is, since there is no real connection at all. [b]with thunderfists the cordillera whips the sheep against the fence, I meant it metaphorically (hope it works that way...), since the peaks of the cordillera can be likened to fists pounding the sheep against fences. This is because the icy winds sweep down from the heights and one can also hear sounds like thunder when masses of ice break off and roll down. Of course I invented "thunderfists" and imagined the cordillera as a powerful "living" being... In Mapuche lore some Andean mountains, such as Chalten (renamed Fitzroy by explorers), are gods that may become very angry. Hope this is helpful, Grace..  I shall try the dove trick right away, here goes !!! Thanks so much, Grace, for your visit, Hugs, Psyche[/b] ······· ·······Mis temas favoritos
The Lord replied, my precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you. "There is no life higher than the grasstops Or the hearts of sheep, and the wind Pours by like destiny, bending Everything in one direction." Sylvia Plath, Crossing the Water, Wuthering Heights. Nominate a poem for the InterBoard Poetry Competition by taking into careful consideration those poems you feel would best represent Mosaic Musings. For details, click into the IBPC nomination forum. Did that poem just captivate you? Nominate it for the Faery award today! If perfection of form allured your muse, propose the Crown Jewels award. For more information, click here! MM Award Winner |
|
|
|
|
Jan 9 05, 05:58
Post
#19
|
|
 Creative Chieftain  Posts: 2,587 Joined: 9-August 03 From: Australia Member No.: 17 Real Name: John Writer of: Poetry |
Gooday Sylvia?
THE LAMB IN WINTER Leaping off Andean heights, white winds shriek across the steppes to lash both weak and bold alike in a fabric of untamed elements. The lamb in winter, reclaimed by forces vaguely understood by man, with thunderfists the cordillera whips the sheep against the fence, for endless leagues the snow is king wrenching life from gentle things. Gaunt pumas limp down to feed their young on lambs with iceblue lips. September yearns for signs of Spring, it's birthing time for feeble ewes, yet still the howling gale is pregnant with the wrath of vanished spirits that memory revisits; of ancient tribes that winka banished, keepers of this land's majestic hues where sun and wind and melting glaciers traced glades among pehuén (the Mapuche pilgrim's bread), not paths for a myriad cloven hooves to tread. The lamb in winter, forsaken on a raging land, awesome cosmic dance of snowclouds exploding in the skies. A dying lamb seeks warmth from the guanaco, statuettes of ice shaped by a mighty hand, reminders of man's foolish stance. The Lamb betrayed... - Yes, One died for me - a naïve child smiles, as her candle flickers in the blackout and Christ's wounds weep fresh blood. A persistent winter can mean a difficult time at high altitudes. The tough times are portrayed in your usual stylistic vivid detail. Yes, I can feel the rigid words that float around the steppes the cold pluperfect reality of vanishing tribes and the hardship meted out to those animals that habitat the region. Another fine poem Sylvia. Utmost regards, :troy: Arne :wizard: :troy: :troy: :troy: ······· ·······Arnfinn
Nominate a poem for the InterBoard Poetry Competition by taking into careful consideration those poems you feel would best represent Mosaic Musings. For details, click into the IBPC nomination forum. Did that poem just captivate you? Nominate it for the Faery award today! If perfection of form allured your muse, propose the Crown Jewels award. For more details, click here! MM Award Winner  |
|
|
|
|
Jan 11 05, 20:42
Post
#20
|
|
|
Ornate Oracle Posts: 8,882 Joined: 27-August 04 From: Bariloche, Argentine Patagonia Member No.: 78 Real Name: Sylvia Evelyn Maclagan Writer of: Poetry & Prose Referred By:David Ting |
Hi Arnie !
Delighted that you dropped round to read my poem :) It's always a relief when I manage to transmit "the real thing" in a poem, sort of make people actually feel the lashing winds and snow, or the hopeless situation of some ethnic groups, or animals suffering for lack of foresight on the part of ranchers. Haven't seen anything by you these days? Shall hunt around, maybe in the "complex" forum? ¡Hasta mañana! Sylvia :karate: :mouse: ······· ·······Mis temas favoritos
The Lord replied, my precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you. "There is no life higher than the grasstops Or the hearts of sheep, and the wind Pours by like destiny, bending Everything in one direction." Sylvia Plath, Crossing the Water, Wuthering Heights. Nominate a poem for the InterBoard Poetry Competition by taking into careful consideration those poems you feel would best represent Mosaic Musings. For details, click into the IBPC nomination forum. Did that poem just captivate you? Nominate it for the Faery award today! If perfection of form allured your muse, propose the Crown Jewels award. For more information, click here! MM Award Winner |
|
|
|
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:
|
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 28th April 2024 - 05:42 |
Read our FLYERS - click below
|
| more Quotes |
| ||
|
|
|
|
