Relative to Causal Initiative Paradox - After Auden - Breughel
Was Auden right to write Art was not wrong -
on canvas or through written word, to state
all little matters outside isolate
fate which squeezes, seizes in its tong
souls who - as Gray said - from madding throng
scarce ventured out, immune to stale debate
on cause, effect, affecting their estate.
The Old Masters, however, understood
human fragility, how we replace
extraordinary events, prefer the commonplace where we feel strong within our element. As then, all mark life-cycles but our waiting
is not breath 'taking' bait abating. Miracles few see
as part and parcel of modernity,
while often sibling rivalry's thin ice-skating
along the dotted line society
dictates for thinking as they 'ought to should.'
We should 'bear' in mind that life expectancy
was nearer forty (women thirty - childbirth took its toll) -
than three score years and ten, today's retirement age
when we have filled our work résumés page
as martyrs to global capitalistic cause.
Everywhere in some corner, or untidy spot,
dogs go on with their doggy life and transvestite coarse
scratches sin_nocent up a gum tree.
Although in Breughel's Icarus, everything turns away
quite leisurely from the disaster, though plowman may
have heard brash splash, observed, forsaken cry,
for him it was unknown as failure. Sun shone,
as always, on white legs disappearing into green
water; while some asea might see
something amazing, a boy falling out of the sky,
importance seemed some port of call. All sailed calmly on.
Though siren songs of progress spur Man higher,
like Icarus, beware ambitions' fire!
Conservatives of every hue
advance that common caveat -
whenever faced with something new
they seldom fail to smell a rat.
They therefore counsel caution due
before attempting this or that,
implying that inventions new, -
to wit: all that is not old-hat, -
both heresy and threat seems too.
You want a turn? Go out and bat!
Youth to youth true, what you must... do!
Don't wait too late. When old, cold, fat,
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poem by Jonathan Robin
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