Edgar POE-tic bitter with sweet at just the right mix without the gossamer threads of shrouds and then conqueror wiggly things at the end to ruin the mood.
Been there, done that, and spend a good portion of my life thinking of how to allow kids to just BE in the moment while the maelstrom malevolent universe rages around them.
I learned from Laurence Binyon's translation of Dante that Poetry is the highest form of communication. I read you loud and clear, because you are: a Poet.
Like with Cervantes, a good english translation is essential (I have no other languages), but when the translator also has annotations that explain the context then the work comes alive. I have to confess that when I read The Divine Comedy in my 20s I wasn't interested in historical politics so some of it was just duck off of a water's back, but later when I got immersed in the deep I was able to pick out the Deep Sea Anglers with the tempting light-bait and FINALLY understood the:
As Above - So Below associated with Inferno.
If we are to accept that Dante was indeed a government employee in Florence and accused of selling offices (just like gov. Blagoevich here in ILL Annoyed) then it makes perfect sense that the As Above part: Barratry, would have a So Below representation in a Circle in Hell.
Politically as being a common criminal practice, and as political critcism for it being punished in Hell, the creation of a special place in Inferno for Barratorst had symmetry and made sense. Dante maintained his innocence. If we give him the benefit of the doubt we see that most political rivals are accused of doing what the accusers had been overtly doing forever.
So, Dante was being tormented by Demons in 'Real Life' before he ever made it past the Door.
I had a cold 9th Circle chill when I came to my realization having studied many religions, legends of the 'after life' and descriptions of 'hell' even the ones invented FOR Buddhism even though that canon had no such legends to begin with, that what Dante was REALLY signalling to us is that what we experience supposedly Up Top is the sad reality of what we expect as dread punishment below so the As Above So Below is in this perpetual Tesseract state of folding and unfolding in the 4th dimension existing in both places at the same time so in essence the 2 are one.
Which means.... (cue cold chill) that we are already in Hell.
It explained everything to me instantly and I felt a profound greatfulness to a poet who USED POETRY to subtly teach those who were willing to spend their life in the pursuit of truth what they needed to know - but they had to WORK for it.
Slowly, some of the people that I work closely with are repeating my meme:
"We REALLY ARE in Hell!"
I have the greatest satisfaction from that because I have been able to pass on the legacy that Signore Alighieri (that means in the law books: I make my own law = I am a law unto myself) gifted to me because that crafty bastard had the courage to go right to the Heart of Hell and climb his way out.
Excellent observations PJ. I've read Mark Musa's translation of the Divine Comedy three times in my life so far, and his annotations really breathed new life to this immortal classic. While we may be in hell, like Dante, we too, will all see the stars eventually, and go on the new leg of our own divine journeys. Love the use of Ill annoyed; I've used this myself in my "Windy City Blues" poem. But on another note, I think we were given free will along with our imaginations from which we create our reality, much like the Universal Mind created the universe and everything in it. So, to a certain extent, we have the power to create Hell, Purgatory or Heaven in this 3D world. I hope this makes sense as I'm a little sleep deprived...lol.
When did you get a flying car? How much do they cost? Do you have to file a flight plan before leaving the garage? What happens when the lithium batteries go low?
[...had to man... I'm a semantical maniac... can't not do it... knee jerk reaction... OK, just a jerk.... love your stuff]
Edgar POE-tic bitter with sweet at just the right mix without the gossamer threads of shrouds and then conqueror wiggly things at the end to ruin the mood.
Been there, done that, and spend a good portion of my life thinking of how to allow kids to just BE in the moment while the maelstrom malevolent universe rages around them.
cheers.
…the longing to stop the world and just get lost in the trance of a fountain…
Wow, your comment is equally POEtic! Super thanks for acknowledging the last lines and the note I tried to end the poem on. 🙏🙏🙏
I learned from Laurence Binyon's translation of Dante that Poetry is the highest form of communication. I read you loud and clear, because you are: a Poet.
Dante! He’s one of my all time favorites and one of my main inspirations.
Like with Cervantes, a good english translation is essential (I have no other languages), but when the translator also has annotations that explain the context then the work comes alive. I have to confess that when I read The Divine Comedy in my 20s I wasn't interested in historical politics so some of it was just duck off of a water's back, but later when I got immersed in the deep I was able to pick out the Deep Sea Anglers with the tempting light-bait and FINALLY understood the:
As Above - So Below associated with Inferno.
If we are to accept that Dante was indeed a government employee in Florence and accused of selling offices (just like gov. Blagoevich here in ILL Annoyed) then it makes perfect sense that the As Above part: Barratry, would have a So Below representation in a Circle in Hell.
Politically as being a common criminal practice, and as political critcism for it being punished in Hell, the creation of a special place in Inferno for Barratorst had symmetry and made sense. Dante maintained his innocence. If we give him the benefit of the doubt we see that most political rivals are accused of doing what the accusers had been overtly doing forever.
So, Dante was being tormented by Demons in 'Real Life' before he ever made it past the Door.
I had a cold 9th Circle chill when I came to my realization having studied many religions, legends of the 'after life' and descriptions of 'hell' even the ones invented FOR Buddhism even though that canon had no such legends to begin with, that what Dante was REALLY signalling to us is that what we experience supposedly Up Top is the sad reality of what we expect as dread punishment below so the As Above So Below is in this perpetual Tesseract state of folding and unfolding in the 4th dimension existing in both places at the same time so in essence the 2 are one.
Which means.... (cue cold chill) that we are already in Hell.
It explained everything to me instantly and I felt a profound greatfulness to a poet who USED POETRY to subtly teach those who were willing to spend their life in the pursuit of truth what they needed to know - but they had to WORK for it.
Slowly, some of the people that I work closely with are repeating my meme:
"We REALLY ARE in Hell!"
I have the greatest satisfaction from that because I have been able to pass on the legacy that Signore Alighieri (that means in the law books: I make my own law = I am a law unto myself) gifted to me because that crafty bastard had the courage to go right to the Heart of Hell and climb his way out.
Excellent observations PJ. I've read Mark Musa's translation of the Divine Comedy three times in my life so far, and his annotations really breathed new life to this immortal classic. While we may be in hell, like Dante, we too, will all see the stars eventually, and go on the new leg of our own divine journeys. Love the use of Ill annoyed; I've used this myself in my "Windy City Blues" poem. But on another note, I think we were given free will along with our imaginations from which we create our reality, much like the Universal Mind created the universe and everything in it. So, to a certain extent, we have the power to create Hell, Purgatory or Heaven in this 3D world. I hope this makes sense as I'm a little sleep deprived...lol.
You’re too kind brother. 1000 thanks! 🙏🙏🙏
Oh this is lovely and eternal.
1000 thanks Kiana. That’s the kind of moment I wanted to capture. 🙏🙏🙏
I love this one so much! Thank you for capturing and sharing a moment of beauty from your life with us.
Thank YOU Conductor for your lovely words 🙏❤️🙏
I ADORE this 🙌🏻❤️✨
I've no ready words to do justice to this poem!
Oh Joanie, I’m so grateful. Can’t thank you enough for your support. 🙏🙏🙏🧡
It's not much! But thanks.
Metaphor or poetic driver's license?
"on the fly while driving"
When did you get a flying car? How much do they cost? Do you have to file a flight plan before leaving the garage? What happens when the lithium batteries go low?
[...had to man... I'm a semantical maniac... can't not do it... knee jerk reaction... OK, just a jerk.... love your stuff]
Thank you so much Deborah!
I was using my poetic driver’s license 😉🤣 as my flying car is in the garage. No worries PJ, 1000 thanks for reading/enjoying my work.