.
The city’s empty. Its knackered truths –
Rhubarb sheds, the Trinity, a sandstone civic quarter,
Windblown Justice on the courthouse roof –
Are worth less than ever. The Calder water
Runs clearer than it did – but symbolism’s
Dishonest, and transparency, in any case,
Is just a word for emptiness. Perhaps it isn’t
So empty, then: the sourness is just displaced –
The river runs clear but in the town
The currents aren’t so blameless nor so bright.
It would be nice to think that this was down
To negligence – to a foreman’s thoughtless oversight:
Some lever pulled in error, some sluice or weir
Breached or broken. It would be better, and not so hard to take,
If all of this was inadvertent; there would be less to fear,
And to forgive, if all this – all this shit was just someone’s mistake.
Yes, I could get along in a world unpremeditated and unmeant.
But in the world’s patterns I discern design; I apprehend intent.
.
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8 comments:
The river runs clear but in the town
The currents aren’t so blameless nor so bright.Very good.
It's a thoughtful and somewhat depressing poem, beautifully written, thanks Ringo.
Ringo,
Yes it would be nice.....
I enjoyed reading your poetic reflexions to the world we live in, this is a very relevant topic given what's going on today.
Lyrical despair flowing through this one, Ringo, expertly written as always.
It's the story in so many towns which thrived on industries which have now declined isn't it? Quite common down the Calder Valley for those towns which haven't adapted to the tourist trade or attracted the commuters. Disused mills overshadowing the towns are a constant reminder of the lost "good olde days". It would be easier if change didn't leave debris in its wake, if someone would neatly tidy these things up so we could forget about them.
You "apprehend intent" but I just smell apathy. People have let this happen, it's easier to let something fall into ruin than to actively keep it flourishing. It's the passive option taken by so many people, too busy running round in circles to stop and look around them to see what needs doing in a wider sense, beyond what they need in their tiny little lives.
Intent would be better in my opinion. Neglect, selfishness, lack of community and apathy are so much harder to address and much more depressing in my opinion.
Pinkerbell: couldn't agree more. There is such a scent of apathy around the despair. And it is not at all helped by the loops anyone wishing to change things have to go through. Up here we have land, unused in generations, not changing purpose because sometimes apathy, sometimes a rich laird.
It makes it almost impossible for someone, an in-comer with money and ideas, to fulful a dream that would benefit the community.
Excellent stuff, Ringo. And thanks for using one of my favourite words in the English language: sluice.
Excellent if somewhat disheartening poem. You're absolutely right, though. The knowledge of intent is far more disturbing than random ineptitude. The sense that these swine really don't care who or what they poison and despoil. Bastards.
seems like time for this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVcD1xAMTo8&feature=channel
Which "swine" though Mishari? Whose to blame for ruin and neglect? Purposeful neglect is a contradiction in terms surely? There isn't an easy target to blame or a simple solution. Society should look to itsself to cure it's own ills, blaming a faceless "them" is a cop out from individual responsibility.
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