Richard Roark Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 (edited) First I would like to thank Felipe for adding this section at an honest question about where to post works of fiction. In this case, at least for the time being, my poetry. What I plan to do is post one Poem, allow people to post there thoughts on it; if they would be so kind, and then respond to anybodies comments and then post a new poem. Here is the first. No More No more will I allow my death. At the hand of the living dead Who follow the sacrificial path. That leads to unreason Forcing me to be human no more. No more will I bow down To those who have lost all Following sick passions Abandoning their reason to feeling Forcing me to be human no more No more will I be meek Waiting for prayers that will never be Sitting around watching life pass by While waiting on a Ghost to provide Forcing me to be human no more No more will a force dictate Beating me down to the ground Raping me of ever thinking That I am worth anything Forcing me to be human no more No more will I be a dependent Leeching the blood of others To live in a pseudo world And not know who I am Forcing me to be human no more I will be a Man Whose life is his, only his, and is an end itself Whose only guiding light is Reason’s Fire Who knows how to reach Life’s Purpose, Which is to be a man of Ego and Self-Esteem Who is able to Produce all his Desires And his final and ultimate Value, His own Happiness in Life In this world and no other. And, I will stand tall with Pride Beating For I will be Human Once More! Keith Engel February 10th 2001 Edited: Edited because I changed the last verse just before posting and then changed it back to the original version. Edited March 23, 2005 by Richard Roark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Roark Posted March 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 Well thirty looks and no replies. Oh well No More is dealing with my conversion over to Objectivism and what it felt like becoming an Objectivist. Since I haven't gotten a response with No More, then another Poem is due. Wishing Goodnight…Remembering…Dreams To many I want to wish a very goodnight Never worry about that constant dreadful fright That comes with the long dark cold night For with the dawn there comes new light A day is born and with it comes the fight The chance to sit and make yesterdays wrongs right For there is never a loss, hope is always in sight Because the beating of the heart is might With the breath of life filling the lungs tight Don’t ever sit by and watch with simple delight By not truly partaking in this wonderful dance You do have a shot and a magical chance Of going a head and fulfilling that dream Never let go of that shining beam Because once you do that is when life ends And the rest of life just really depends Do you become a simple lowly pawn? Like a game of chess played on the lawn Being directed to by a master hand Nothing more than a slave to a command Or do you wish to have the sway Using your sweet sounding lies of wordplay To rule over those and having the power Making those below you cringe and cower Being able to answer every question with I do! Yet slave all the same in everything you pursue For those below you they are your master For with out them your life is a disaster Yet, this dark dank and gloomy destiny Isn’t necessarily a permanent consistency If you only sit back and remember this The past is dead, and the future is bliss It is like a true and honest lover’s kiss So I wish everybody a good night Never give up a dream and the fight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dondigitalia Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 I'm no literary critic, so I don't have much to offer in that arena. I do want to say that I can really relate to "No More," and I'm forwarding a link to a couple of friends who I think will enjoy it as well. Bravo! Edit to add: Judging by your poetry, you may really enjoy indy-rocker Ted Leo's lyrics. I have my two favorites posted up on my blog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomL Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 This makes me want to get out my instrument and start composing music.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Roark Posted March 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 (edited) I do want to say that I can really relate to "No More," and I'm forwarding a link to a couple of friends who I think will enjoy it as well. Bravo! I am happy you can relate to the poem. This is my greatest of hopes, people being able to relate to my writing and my poetry. If you notice I don't try to hide behind flowery words and what not in my poetry. What you see is what you get. I hope you friends enjoy the poem as well and can also relate. I will check out the Poet you mention. Also, I am not sure, but have you ever checked out the work of Berton Braley, truly phenomenal, it is unfortunate that his poetry isn't taught in school. Edited March 23, 2005 by Richard Roark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dondigitalia Posted March 23, 2005 Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 I've never heard of Berton Braley, but then I've never really actively pursued an interest in poetry - mostly because a lot of poets do hide behind a lot of flowery words, and it makes it so difficult to understand what their trying to say that I get bored with the task and give up. Ted Leo isn't really a poet, per se, but song lyrics really are just poetry put to music, so I guess in that respect he is. Definitely check out the two songs I've posted on my blog (the link is in my signature). I think any Objectivist will really enjoy reading them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Roark Posted March 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2005 (edited) If you are interested in reading work by Berton Braley, you can go to http://cordair.com/apotheosis/index.htm then click on available poetry. There you can click on the poems you want. There are many good poems available for the reading pleasure. Another word about Braley's Poetry even though in his biography on the official website devoted to him doesn't say whether or not he was influenced by Objectivism, after reading some of his works one can beging wondering if he was. He is also a straight forward poet in his use of the written word. Edited March 23, 2005 by Richard Roark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Roark Posted March 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Time for Another poem, This is one is sorta loosely based off of a John Keats poem entitled To Autumn. I of course have chosen another subject for the the poem. To Reason 1 A guiding light to those who know Bringing both desire and peace Warming those who choose to follow Opening wide the doors of release Filling followers with wanton desire Broadening the distant orange sky Rebirthing the spirit in Phoenix’s fire Giving off the most euphoric high 2 The touch of you is an orgasmic pleasure Far greater than any lover’s kiss No worth is found in secular treasure Nor will rubies and diamonds be amiss So I embrace you my fellow lover Being as one in this delicate dance Never again will I ever be in cower With you as my divine guidance 3 Proudly do we reach the bright end Happiness and all its designs are gaily met Reaching this esteeming quality many pretend Giving up virtuous goals previously set All because they lost you lover No longer willing to fight but sacrifice Fleeting minds that are lost becoming a sewer Leaving themselves to the chance of rolling dice 4 Lo! Lover! I have not lost you though You are still here in my lustful soul You bring me the seed I must sow To reach the glorious end in Control So we may sit back with seductive grin For we are the reality masters of Life And together, we will always win And be considered husband and wife Keith Engel February 11th 2001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMERICONORMAN Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Time for Another poem, This is one is sorta loosely based off of a John Keats poem entitled To Autumn. I of course have chosen another subject for the the poem. To Reason 1 A guiding light to those who know Bringing both desire and peace Warming those who choose to follow Opening wide the doors of release Filling followers with wanton desire Broadening the distant orange sky Rebirthing the spirit in Phoenix’s fire Giving off the most euphoric high .......... Keith Engel February 11th 2001 This one I really liked. It speaks to me quite nicely. I am now in the mood for a giant big steak. I wish every one a good Friday, this friday is sunny in Toronto, and spring is sending its promises, it's the light and the melting snow, and the scents of the city returning, and the green as the symbol of life, Americo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Roark Posted March 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 (edited) I am happy you enjoyed To Reason Americo, though I am unsure why it makes you want to have a big steak Edited March 25, 2005 by Richard Roark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dondigitalia Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 I've been making sure to have a big hunk of beef every Friday during lent. Gotta do my part to counter the harm Catholicism is doing to cattle farmers around the the world. Perhaps that's why Americo wants one as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Roark Posted March 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 LOL You know what I have been atheist for so long that I don't give that much thought about the time of year. Just had some speghetti with meat sauce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dondigitalia Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Honestly, I didn't even realize this Sunday was Easter until I got to work and some Catholic coworkers were talking about it. They are also the reason I know about lent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Roark Posted March 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 In honor of this glorious holiday I must say my grace. An Atheist’s Grace I give thanks to those Who have really provided The food sitting here On this bountiful day With a table full of good Friends and Family I give thanks the to farmers Who toil day and night Over the fields and crops While tending the live stock They are the men who Have dug into the earth Giving us the constant birth Of the food that nourishes us I give thanks to the truckers Who spend long days and nights Away from their families Driving in their Rigs On the long highways That stretch across this nation Making sure that the crops Get delivered on time To the markets of purchase I give thanks to the inventors Who with out their brilliant minds None of this would be possible The machinery that allows the farmer To plant several fields of various crops To harvest them in the same fashion Who invented the combustion engine That drives the force that brings the food Which is now sitting here on this table Warm and hearty from an oven and stove That a man invented This is who I give my thanks to Not some grand Ghost Sitting in the sky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomL Posted March 26, 2005 Report Share Posted March 26, 2005 This last one's my favorite so far. It might be just me, but I think it would be better to just leave off the last two lines altogether. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Roark Posted March 26, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2005 (edited) Thanks Tom for the good response and I am happy you enjoyed it. To tell you honestly this isn't the actual Atheist Grace that I originally envisioned. I just can't remember the original way I wanted to do it. It is rather frustrating when this happens as a writer. Your laying in bed thinking and the words just begin to flow off your tongue and your like, i'll write it down tomorrow for surely I'll remember the way I had it then. Unfortunately it does't work that way. Edited March 26, 2005 by Richard Roark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMERICONORMAN Posted March 27, 2005 Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 First I would like to thank Felipe for adding this section at an honest question about where to post works of fiction. In this case, at least for the time being, my poetry. What I plan to do is post one Poem, allow people to post there thoughts on it; if they would be so kind, and then respond to anybodies comments and then post a new poem. Here is the first. No More No more will I allow my death. At the hand of the living dead Who follow the sacrificial path. That leads to unreason Forcing me to be human no more. No more will I bow down To those who have lost all Following sick passions Abandoning their reason to feeling Forcing me to be human no more No more will I be meek Waiting for prayers that will never be Sitting around watching life pass by While waiting on a Ghost to provide Forcing me to be human no more No more will a force dictate Beating me down to the ground Raping me of ever thinking That I am worth anything Forcing me to be human no more No more will I be a dependent Leeching the blood of others To live in a pseudo world And not know who I am Forcing me to be human no more I will be a Man Whose life is his, only his, and is an end itself Whose only guiding light is Reason’s Fire Who knows how to reach Life’s Purpose, Which is to be a man of Ego and Self-Esteem Who is able to Produce all his Desires And his final and ultimate Value, His own Happiness in Life In this world and no other. And, I will stand tall with Pride Beating For I will be Human Once More! Keith Engel February 10th 2001 Edited: Edited because I changed the last verse just before posting and then changed it back to the original version. The theme got me. Rhyme is crucial. However, ironically, you succeeded in keeping me hopping. Theme was good. But some rhyme is sacred. However I heard it in a song, not rap, but something rap-like but right. If you have an operaetta ready then I apologize because I know nothing about music. This is the type of "stuff" I want to hear from "Objectivists". Americo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Roark Posted March 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 (edited) Ah Americo, could you go a head and try explaining that last post of yours to me in Grammatical sentence structure. I didn't quite get it. Edited March 27, 2005 by Richard Roark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Roark Posted March 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2005 This one is a bit different from the others. The Oak There is a tall proud oak tree Standing out in the air free Nothing is ever surrounding him Others do stand on the horizon dim Yet they are off in the distant Nowhere near him this instant Visitors he does have his share Who come and go as free as the air Birds and other beast is the standard fair Yet, during the summer there is a pair of dancers Joyous for they are a couple of lovers Enjoying the cool shade in summer’s heat With love’s lust as the dance’s beat Eyes shining, reflecting with the fun Yet this isn’t a very long run It comes and goes like the setting sun Staying like the December freeze Lasting like the summer breeze Here one instant, gone the next Just like the lover’s sex There are his many leaves hanging That are bobbing and weaving On branches thin and long The wind brings him their song As they brush up against one another Filling the air with their constant chatter Then suddenly they begin to change There soft chatter no longer in range With the onslaught of Autumn’s days Stripping him of their incessant ways Falling to the ground one by one It doesn’t take long For it to be all done Then with branches bare does he stand In the grip of winters long hand Stretching on into the waning night Causing many to come upon him with fright Bearing weapons to calm the cold They set upon him from the fold Bringing their weapons to bare They are without fear and dare Stripping from him many appendages And don’t offer any bandages For even his branches come and go With time’s ever constant flow Yet there is one constant in his life That will never go, like an endearing wife They dig deep into the ground They are always to be found Beneath him supporting his very existence Never do they waver in their persistence Keeping him on the steady course Oh, it could be much worse He could not have them there That is why he holds them dear Because they will remain true He grants them their due For they will never leave his side Even if ill times betide For true friends are like the roots Of the tall proud mighty oak Keith Engel October 2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristopherSchlegel Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 "No More" is pretty powerful stuff. I like how the negatives in the first 5 stanzas are countered by statements in the last larger, positive stanza. "Wishing Goodnight…Remembering…Dreams" has some good images & couplets. It's a little too "stream of consciousness" fo my tastes. But, then again, that might be the point considering the title. Maybe break it up in sections? At least visually that might help clarify it. "To Reason" is nicely organized, "in the manner of Keats" as you say. But where his "To Autumn" has 3 groups, 11 lines each, yours has 4 groups, 8 lines each. I like your structure more! This one has excellent images & touches (tactily!) well on more of the senses. It also sounds the best aloud (of what you posted so far). The pacing/phrasing is really good. Also, the not-exact rhymes but closely related syllabant sounds & alliteratives are well done. Good stuff. "An Atheist's Grace" is kind of obvious, but good fun anyway. Someone needs to say that stuff, huh? It's good to have an Objectivist poet do it! "The Oak" is very pensive. It works better read silently than aloud for me. It's a good analogy & I didn't know where it was headed until the end. It started in summer & moved on to fall & winter. Then, being in 4 sections I was kind of expecting the return of spring, so you had a little redirection going on there. During the winter when the branches are being torn off for firewood I started thinking of Howard Roark saying the pain only goes so deep...Don't know exactly where that free association came from...I am currently re-reading "The Fountainhead", maybe that was it! Thanks for sharing. What other poets do you admire or consider yourself influenced by? What poets are you currently reading/studying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Roark Posted March 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 (edited) Thanks for those comments Chris. These are the kind of comments and the type of review I was hoping for. I guess I better return the favor. As far as poetry I have a essay slash introduction up about why I write poetry. I don't necessarily consider myself a poet, but instead as a writer. My favorite poets are Berton Braley, it is a sad state of affairs that I never heard of him in school, and also Robert Frost. I don't have much poetry right now to study, I did much studying of poetry in college though and unfortunately didn't keep my books. I am thinking that I should try to rewrite some of the poetry to have a better rhythm about them so they can be read aloud better. Of course there are still many poems yet to be posted and some of them are even further from correct poetry form than these are, just hope people will like these one's as well. Edited March 29, 2005 by Richard Roark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Roark Posted March 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 Here goes one from my Pre Objectivist days; written during the year I turned over to Objectivism. It is a telling piece letting people know where I was during this time. Also can anybody pick up a recurring theme among my poems yet? “A Time in Life” There comes a time, a time in life When a person becomes lost, lost with despair And everything that is done, is done in strife Were you feel that nobody, nobody cares And you can never get a grip, a tight grip On the way things are, how they are to be And there is hardly a soul, a soul with a tip To give you freedom, freedom to see Who you are, whom it is I sought Where does that person fit, fit in the Dance. A Dance that has yet to be taught Through him I have, I have a better chance So I keep my hope, my hope that in the end Things will be turning, turning out for the good And peace of mind and of heart I will have, for I will have tended To the song in my heart, the song that give me The gift of hope, the hope of a Maiden fair And I can hold her in my arms, arms that are open wide For the flame of Love, of a love to see my care The care of a man who, who has nothing to hide Once he is unwrapped, unwrapped from the shell The shell that has been holding, holding me down From being the man, the man I can be so well If only given the chance, the chance to be shown To another of how great, how great a lover I can become A lover who’ll be there, when times disagreeable betide But I will rejoice, rejoice when the sun come ups For she is with me, with me at my bedside As I gaze in her eyes, eyes that I surrender For we are true soul mates, and she is my true lover Keith Engel September 21, 2000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Roark Posted April 1, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2005 The next Poem: The Higher Praise to… There is no better sight in this life Then seeing a man standing tall Free from the shackles of strife Nothing will ever make him fall For he follows his own mind In making the decisions for life Never will he be in a tight bind Following this ultimate rule of life There is no better sight in this life Then seeing a man accomplish a task alone Cutting his way through the world like a knife For he will never allow anyone to own The tool upon which he lives and survives It is his to use and conquer what he sees Not squandering his life or other lives For his life is measured in great deeds There is no better sight in this life Then seeing a man earning what he owns He counts his success not in saving life But in the irony of life’s ups and downs For it is the fighting and struggling for it That makes living all the sweeter The hot sweating and grisly bleeding of it Which allows him to come out the better There is no better sight in this life Then seeing a man on high peering over For he is seeing the future, the future of all life For in the infinite distance of forever It isn’t into the dark abyss of night Nor the hell bound train the world is riding But the hidden and the forbidden hope of light For the future rewards those who do the creating For there is no better sight in this life Then seeing a man of independence Living by his own rule’s in this life Never giving over to the credence Of the morality of self sacrificing Never living for the life of the other But just enjoying the simplicity of living This is why I give no praise higher Then to the Independent Man living Keith Engel Monday, August 30, 2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Roark Posted April 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2005 (edited) Time for another Poem, and on a sidenote I had better begin writing some more. I am running out of Poems to put up. The Servant Oh how I bow down to you master Nothing makes my heart beat the faster Then becoming your humble servant Nothing makes me overcome with fervent Then doing your glorious cause Nothing will ever give me sudden pause In doing my best work for you For no one will ever give me more due Though some may call you hard and cold I will never be part of this fold In your brilliant light do I shine For everything will be just fine For you are always here with me Letting me to remain carefree For there is always a constant strife In the simple world of life Many say you are uncaring Their reason and faith wavering Placing their belief in others Hiding and shaking behind covers From what you can call down on them Hiding behind their mother’s hem Seeking from you always mercy For sins committed cowardly Yet I am not unwavering For I am always favoring To follow the hard steady path Never fearing to face your wrath For I will never stray from you Being one of the very few Never becoming uncouth For I am the Servant of Truth Keith Engel Saturday, August 28th 2004 Edited April 2, 2005 by Richard Roark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Roark Posted April 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2005 (edited) I decided to put this one up as well due in large part that the two poems are connected and consequently were written on the same day, my birthday to be exact. …and The Seeker I am seeking an object which Many others find to be a bitch While the power of my mind is always Through out the rest of my long days Will be searching and striving for it Struggling and suffering for it Thirsting and hungering for it Nothing will ever quench this thirst Hell will have to freeze over first Before I ever give up this quandary Because it is with great sagacity And ever growing tenacity That I give the chase for the quandary This matter that is so elusive That it has become quite obtrusive Just how many pretend to know Treating my object of desire as a foe Listening to the sweet sounds of omission All the while it is with fervor commission They cast my quandary to the red flame Now they only have themselves to blame The means of their salvation is ash Giving up the future in one mad dash To have the illusion of the carefree All based on the whim-ridden plea Crying out that it is all just so unfair The world being so cruel, crass, full of no care So I accord them justice and their due For if they only had the inkling and knew That the very thing they scream against Rally and fight and clash against Is the very means to having it all The very thing leading to their downfall The quandary of my quest and my life It is joined to me as a loving wife For I am like a master sleuth Because I am the Seeker of Truth Keith Engel Saturday, August 28, 2004 Edited April 2, 2005 by Richard Roark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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