Critical Analysis #1 |
Cult's Residual Haunting |
Kenneth Ray Taylor Member
since 1999-11-11
Posts 139Duluth, Minnesota, USA |
Cult's Residual Haunting*** Long these many years ago when lovingkindness hated me so, they flattered all the while my soul's perception, as infant hung I fast upon the breast of their instruction. I stood on my head for them so long that all the blood rushed to my head and suddenly I had (horrors of dread!) a thought. A consistent, real thought-- applying principles, some of which I'd learned (ironically) from them. But then, the inevitable parting of ways. An axiom: Anyone who, knowing the TRUTH OF GOD (a commodity for which they held both patent and key), but abandons the same, will be (of necessity) ever ......always ............nothing ..................and less. With God as enemy, how can it be otherwise? Unless perchance I yet this demon-god of narrowest (yea, and copyrighted) truth shall overcome-- like Jacob, who wrestled with God (and won?). But perhaps my soul's soul object is to be some billboardish "Don't-let-this-happen-to-you" object lesson. If so, I sit (having served my immutably ordained purpose well) contented. |
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© Copyright 1999 Kenneth Ray Taylor - All Rights Reserved | |||
Willem Member
since 1999-11-18
Posts 139Inverness, FL, USA |
Kenneth, this is more than a poem. It's a bitter complaint against oppression by an overly organized religion. It's a picture of one seeking for the real truth, Jacob fighting the angel and thus proving his courage to think and find God by himself. Very moving and convincing. With such a deeply felt sense of purpose, one may even forget about the poem's format, and let it format itself... I hope that whoever wrote it will be blessed by his Creator with true understanding of who he is and who He is... Willem |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
I've known several people who have had similar experiences in their lifetime. You communicate the profile of these sects beautifully (and as a result, hauntingly). I like your reference to Jacob who, like the person in this poem, wrestled and found (or was found by) God. Jacob was scarred by the match (I think his hip was dislocated or something) but in the end he discovered his place. I also like the contrast of the person's thoughts in the final line with the cult leader's "patent" on the "TRUTH OF GOD". Very well done. ------------------ Jim "If I rest, I rust." -Martin Luther |
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Kenneth Ray Taylor Member
since 1999-11-11
Posts 139Duluth, Minnesota, USA |
Thank you, Jim. This poem is one of my favorites, though most people I've showed it to say they don't know what I'm talking about. It's more experimental than most of my poems. Once a person is burned in religion, they never perceive "truth" the same. This is not to say that I don't believe. I do. But echoes of doubt are always present. My favorite poet is Stephen Crane. He came from a very religious background, which he rejected. And though I don't reject God, I find great resonance in Crane's poems. I don't look at poetry as a place to finds answers, but as a place to scribble while on the way to finding answers. |
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Kenneth Ray Taylor Member
since 1999-11-11
Posts 139Duluth, Minnesota, USA |
By the way, Jim, I see that you quote Luther in your signature. I myself am a great fan of Luther. I began reading him 25 years ago when a bookstore owner insisted. As I began to understand the gospel in New Testament terms, I began to find myself at odds with the cult. And today I'm a Lutheran. So I owe Martin a great deal. Though dead, he still speaks. |
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Fairy Colours Member
since 1999-12-02
Posts 169Sunrise,Fl,US |
The only advice that I have for ya... is to stay talented Beautiful work. A Little Fairy |
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Kenneth Ray Taylor Member
since 1999-11-11
Posts 139Duluth, Minnesota, USA |
Fairy, Thank you (*blushing*) |
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