Saturday, 4 October 2008

serendipity

emerging from the walls
like some Indian God,
pieces of brick sticking
to his balded head
he lands up in the room
which reeks with fried fish
forgetting what/why he
came about in the first place
he takes an offered seat
keeps aside his bow and arrow
picking up a plate piled high
he closes his eyes and gobbles
everything up at one go

"better to be human than try playing God"

32 comments:

  1. This is a odd one! someone once said thet by trying to become more we become less. Is this the meaning of the poem?

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  2. This is very deep and thought provoking.

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  3. It's almost eerie with meaning and nuamce.

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  4. I like your poem. It is very intriguing to me.
    And you know what, I saw that man come in and eat his fish. It was the biggest plateful I ever saw served. The restaurant owner said he comes every night at closing time. :-)
    Do you think I could fit him into one of the prompts we have?
    ..

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  5. Is this about hunger?

    it does reveal deeper connotations, but a bit hazy when i read it with the title...

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  6. I like the idea of the intruder derailed from his train of thoughts by the smell of fried fish...

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  7. This really made me smile.

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  8. A deep, meaningful poem. Loved the ending.

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  9. I agree with the others, this is different... Incarnational poetry? I'm not that familiar wtih all the gods of India... I wonder about the bow and arrows... However, I see parallels to post-resurrection appearances of Jesus (coming through walls and eating fish).

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  10. @Devika: Serendipity is the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else entirely.

    Hence the title works RATHER well here. However, I seldom explain my poetry to anyone. I leave it on my readers to interpret my poetry the way they want to. Read it as you wish.

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  11. Hi Gautami!

    Thank you for that..But I knew it, perhaps..& I never thought it was unsuited for the poem.

    My comment was just a loud thought...like Art and poetry said, the message, the meaning wasn't that too clear..Its not necessary that every poem is read or understood in the same light as the author.....abstractness has its beauty and depth..

    On discussing poetry -- I too agree, but to those interested readers who fail to get the message...I perfer exlaining a bit..

    But I do not like dissecting poetry, every word of it...that too I don't mind though, if a serious reader pose some query..

    btw, I miss you at 'Certain Kind of Woman.' Do come when time allows..

    see more of you
    devika

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  12. your words remind me of a certain gentleman who comes to the homeless dinner where i serve...i see his face & wonder if i am ever that grateful for a simple plate of food. very humbling stuff. (love that last line!)

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  13. I think I like this all the more because I don't understand the reference, if that makes sense. To me it's a face-paced image, a little exotic, maybe amusing; a little mysterious, and yet a little familiar...

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  14. This makes me think of the New Testament stories in which Jesus tells the persons he has healed or raised from the dead to go eat. And they do and they are well. To my way of thinking, this is a loving call to each of us to embrace our humanity and nurture that great gift of life. Your poem makes me think of this. And of how hungry we are to live (and maybe we forget this).

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  15. It reminded me of the first Thanksgiving story, putting differences aside and joining forces to survive together peaceably and being grateful for the greater bounty.

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  16. As I read again -- I should say it didnt leave me for a while --

    I see a 'Ramleela' actor/God emerging with his bow and arrow...

    to reach an eating place where he set aside all his act so far as God...to fill his (human) hunger.

    The reading seeks no confirmation..just a sharing as I settle with my reading...

    thanks!
    see you again..
    devika

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  17. This is an interesting picture you've painted here. I like this.

    -Nicole

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  18. To me the poem speaks of being who we truly are rather than trying to be something we aren't.

    In just a few words you've created a vivid picture.

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  19. 'pieces of brick sticking to his balded head' is the line in this wonderful piece that haunts me.

    I too am puzzled, in a good way, by this poem. And, I like it very much.

    Thank you!

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  20. Thanks for your comment on my blog. I can only write rhyme, it might sound odd but I have never writen free verse.

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  21. an immortal in a mortal world. what happens when time stops?

    i love this poem.

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  22. I like it. I don't know why but my favorite line is "he takes an offered seat".
    I think it shapes the character.

    thank you
    A.

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  23. so much reality in this - well done!

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  24. Art really brought this into focus for me. Enjoyed.

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  25. The looming image you create is fascinating.

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  26. Or perhaps he is a god trying to play human? Has old cupid emerged from his bas relief on the wall to mingle amongst mortals?

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  27. I am thinking the same as Kathie, that the god you got, was not quite as god-like as you expected.

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  28. Try playing God, and you may, with some good luck, end by being truly human!?:)

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