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Prospero's Island.
In a room, a swirling
twisted staircase loom
of strange stuffed beasts
suspended from the ceiling,
piles of washed up, skewered books
strewn, stacked, unread, thumbed
loved, left.
In the heart of the staircase, illuminated
butterflies glow in a Lepidopterists dream
Tigers stare in and out, of dimming lights
timer strips of feline still life
beasts and fowl stuffed behind glass
eyeing us, soul lost, looking out;
the curious reflected in the gleam
of glass eye
He emerges again: gowned, gaunt,
carrying tea and book,
to creak and sigh in to
the leather sofas of the dead
globes of illumination and guesswork,
slowly revolve behind him-
the quiet that corner reading lamps bestow
on his darkness
his loneliness, his hour,
waits for Miranda's return,
while the siren Gail roars,
beyond the indomitable walls
of this cursed library,
where all are centuries immersed,
where his mind, well versed in the sea
of lore, surrenders to knowledge:
without a universe expanse,
within a universe again,
and only luck or sweet, sweet chance,
gave us the marvel of this rain..
Comments
Vivovon
Mon, 2016-09-05 12:15
We shall do "rain dance"
I see that Australia needs more rain, especially in Tasmania. I read about rains and flood in plains Queensland. But, in general, I understand Australia is suffering from drought. Cold and dry at this time of the year? This is what I conclude from your poem.
I read Shakespeare's Tempest when I was a teenager, some 55 years ago. I do remember some characters like Prospero, Miranda, Ferdinand, and the mariners etc. Perhaps Australia is the Prospero's Island. I like the expression "without a universe expanse, within a universe again," very much.
It is a mind tinkering poem. Good job.
xxxxx
vandiemenspeak
Tue, 2016-09-06 06:12
Hi Vivonon
Days are lengthening here, early dawn, late dusk, time seems to stretch out. The colours in the sky are extraordinary at this time of year, change from purple blush to gilt and brass leaden clouds, Tasmania is a strange and lovely place, with its own unique culture unlike anything else I've seen in Australia. This time of year, strange ferocious winds seem to well up from nowhere, the weather can be quite tempestuous indeed, a very fitting location for Prospero ;) thanks for your comments.
Take care
Chris
Chris Hall - Tasmania
Grossbooted draymen rolled barrels dullthudding out of Prince's stores and bumped them up on the brewery float. On the brewery float bumped dullthudding barrels rolled by grossbooted draymen out of Prince's stores.