'God keep me from ever completing anything. This whole book is but a draught—nay, but the draught of a draught.'

Melville, Moby Dick

    for my distant ghost, who knows something of tales


No Light Task

 

Who has the nerve, the beaten, cold-forged steel,

Yet the wit, gentled by nature, deviled

By time, well born, borne well, to pick up that

Which, being left a foundling on cold church steps, 

Orphaned, was set out to be tripped upon,

Found and nurtured? Who? No one, not one, or

It would be done; it is not done, will not

Be done, cannot be done, should not be done;

For what was left undone is not undone;

Would be undone by ho-hum men; one man,

One too far past, whose Queen Mab rose again

To paint dreams on Stubb; who but he, and he

Will not? Who? Better to leave that penny

On the ground, saunter on, gauge clouds, whistle.





Poetry by jim The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 990 times
Written on 2017-06-30 at 17:54

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Kathy Lockhart
I have been on a journey because of this poem. It took to the past, into the pages of history I never knew and I learned many things, very interesting things, I wouldn't have known that I'd missed. I am satisfied and I am hungry. One thing I can do is I can read and I love it. I am going to read Moby Dick. After reading a passage concerning Stubb's dream, I am hooked (unintentional pun). I know of Queen Mab now, too, and even how Mary Shelley fits into all of this along with her monster.
Besides all of my self-interest, I am overcome by your pen and its ability to write to the soul. Thank you again. kathy
2017-08-19


Ann Wood The PoetBay support member heart!
You welcome Jim
2017-07-03


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
Sometimes, the most trivial decisions are agonizing.
2017-07-02


Ann Wood The PoetBay support member heart!
Nice writing Jim
2017-07-02



hmmm ... A theory of some value to think about. Nicely written.
Ashe
2017-06-30


ken d williams The PoetBay support member heart!
Bravo, Jim!
Ken
2017-06-30