At Tue, 23 Feb 1999 01:25:36 -0800, you wrote:
>
>Reed wrote:
>>>No one has an unbiased perspective, which is why
>>>we should do our best to unify across the divides.
>
>
>Joe wrote:
>>This makes logical sense, in that intersubjective perspectives
>>get to contrast and compare for internal consistency and
>>external coherency, thus ending up mure complete and less
>>error-prone than purely subjective ones
>
>Joe, can you see the difference between these two examples? Yours is
>logically correct and says much the same thing as Reed's does, but yours
>uses more words to say less. Such writing will never inspire anyone to step
>outside themselves or to try something that might otherwise seem impossible
>to them. Yet Reed's might, if he set his mind to it.
>
>Can you see how, in this realm of interpersonal communication at least, your
>own love of logic and rationality can serve as both a leg-up and a stumling
>block at the same time?
>
>What kind of poetry do you write, anyway?
>
>-Prof. Tim
>
The Soothsmith's Song
I shall blast the bellows of hours past
Smelting ores of pain and joy, belief and desire
Of both baser or rarer mettle
And work to craft my Hammersongs.
Clarity is a kiln-pane, to be seen through, not seen.
The white-hot moments when shapes are beaten
Illumine with their intensity;
The subtly wrought point stings like serpents' truth.
And I shall be the soothsmith
And forge facsimile lives
And drive my spikes deep
That, cleaving to contrary hooves
They may yet hold fast my intentions.
Mine is not the alchemist's Art.
I do not blend, but bind and blend
A weighty matter with clumsy tools.
Quicksilver flees the casting pour
Forsaking pig slag, should the solve lack fervour.
Then should one rather render anew
Than palm dross arcs riven at a glance.
Still the pure issue must be fashioned.
A handcramp of anvilling follows
With heat and hammer precisely applied
Clear eye and caring ear
Seeking clean line and true ring.
Neglect is measured in a stricken gait:
The misshapen shoe curses its maker.
Want More?
Joe E. Dees
Poet, Pagan, Philosopher