dan_edge Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Symbolism: A Mixture of Meaning in Mettle *Note: The above image is a photograph of the artifact which inspired this poem, hanging on my own chest. It is a medallion I found when cleaning out my parent’s attic. On the reverse side, it bears the inscription, “To Beverly, From Roy, With Love.” It was a gift my father created for my mother before his untimely death in 1985. My mother gave it to me, and over the past few days, I’ve conducted research on the meaning and source of the symbol – if any. An article describing my findings and their symbolic connections to my own life will be forthcoming within the next few days. ----------------------------------------------- A new chapter in my life begins The time to wallow in Hades sorrow With head in hands for former sins Is history now – today is tomorrow A search for symbols to personify Rebirth of mirthful personality Revealed a motif etched in steel My birthright and my family seal A long dead father’s form of love Bartered for my mother’s kiss Melted, molded, made into A symbol for a son amiss A longing look at what was found Remembrance of long time love lost She bequeathed a seeming simple seal A chain-linked loop of steel embossed Smelted with a workman’s hands Meaning mixed in metal’s skin My father poured in lover’s gift All the very best in him: A mind of mettle, like a snare To trap Demeter ladies fair Southern gentlemanly attitude And metallurgical aptitude All these things my father poured Into a molten mixing kettle Resulting in a symbol with More meaning than mere metal Within the hearth of beating heart I feel the Phoenix Flame arise The Hero’s Hike to Passion’s Peak Brings reborn Hephaestus eyes To the meaning melted in This round medallion on my breast I add my soaring spirit’s sails A stolid mast where steel meets flesh I stand now on the precipice Of passion’s deep with future bright A symbol of metamorphosis New life in me begins this night! --Dan Edge **Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Mom and Kim, whose love and support have helped make these lines a reality. To Carol, Fred, and Sherry, to whom I will be paying it backwards for the rest of my life. To Chad, Cory, Dave, Dorian, Kelly, Lou, Lynn, Melanie, Nancy, Ryan, Stella, and Todd, whose friendship and love have meant so much. To rekindled and newfound friends Curt, Greer, Kate, Lean Mean Dr. Tamara, Natalie, Sultry Leslie Sayrah, and the rest of the EC Crew, whose benevolence served to stoke the Phoenix Flames. To Jessica Jasmine the Boar-Hunting Heroine, who provided inspiration in her own unique way. ***This poem may not be submitted for publication without consent of the author. Permission is granted to publish on personal blogs and online discussion forums – provided it is reproduced in its entirety in original formatting, complete with acknowledgements and this message – along with a link to my own blog, The Edge of Reason. Comments are welcome. My email address is: [email protected]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllMenAreIslands Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Applause!! Lovely poem, Dan. Thanks for posting it here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grames Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 ...hanging on my own chest. Intriguing. But dude, get some sun or at least some supplemental vitamin D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_edge Posted September 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 We folk have red necks, white chests. You're just gonna have to deal with the glare. What with the gleaming bald head and pasty white skin, I'll blind a mutha. --Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whYNOT Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 (edited) An impressive poem. What is it about South Carolina that produces so many literary types ? Something in the beer, I reckon. I liked your mettle cymbals ..... uh, metal cymbals .... mettle symbols... you know. Taking excerpts is uncontextual, I know, but one couplet is particularly striking:- "Southern gentlemanly attitude And metallurgical aptitude" Also :- My father poured in lover's gift / All the very best of him. Well done! Edited September 2, 2009 by whYNOT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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