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Solitude

Sometimes it is advantageous to be on your own

Often a pack of wolves will hunt

Lone sheep who have strayed from the flock
 

In the long run, it takes a single mind

To outwit the predators' technique
 

Ultimately the sheep must think a wolf's thoughts

Do wolfish things and wear a wolf's clothing

Endeavour paths unthinkable to sheep

 


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RSScheerer

RSScheerer

18 years 1 month ago

soliloquy

I haven't read Leonie Swann (probably because all I can find on her is in German - lol), so I don't know anything about Melmoth. This is well-expressed and I like the thought behind it. The only question that I might have (and it may originate from ignorance regarding your explanation) is does the title fit, i.e. is it really a soliloquy? ~ Ronda
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Ink Dragon

18 years 1 month ago

I think it is

because I based it on this character from the novel (by the way, I happen to know that it is out in English)...but I´ll think about it, you may be right about it being a bit cryptic for everyone who doesn´t know the novel. Thanks, ID
RSScheerer

RSScheerer

18 years 1 month ago

You decide

Since you know the novel and what you want this piece to say, I'll only provide you the definition of the word. The simplest is: soliloquy - "the act of talking while or as if alone" (Think Hamlet's "To be or not to be." It's the classic example.) Let me know what you think. I like this piece and find your choice of a title interesting! ~ Ronda
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Ink Dragon

18 years 1 month ago

Love, I do know what a soliloquy is

I still like my title, because my "protagonist" is a lone wanderer, who keeps to himself, so I reckon he might just talk to himself like that. But I´m still thinking it over, maybe I should stick with plain "solitude" as a title? Mhm, not sure, let me get a night´s sleep before I decide... Thanks for your concern, my friend, ID
RSScheerer

RSScheerer

18 years 1 month ago

My ignorance

I never doubted that you understood the definition of a soliloquy, ID. Sorry if it seemed implied. As always, this is your piece and you understand it best. From your explanation, I'm more convinced than ever that it is just a matter of my own ignorance regarding the story and character! Apologies if it seemed that I was lecturing, friend. ~ Ronda
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Ink Dragon

18 years 1 month ago

You don´t have to apologize

you have been helping me a long way with my writing, and I feel that it has already improved and I myself am more self-confident. So never, ever apologize again for telling the truth!!! Love, ID
RSScheerer

RSScheerer

18 years 1 month ago

*smiles*

Hey! A picture! Odd that I haven't seen one of you after all this time, but I guess I never asked, did I?! It's good to see you! As for the rest, I promise I will not ever apologize for telling the truth - except for when I apologize. ;) Love, Ronda
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Ink Dragon

18 years 1 month ago

Thanks

It definitely feels good to be back again! ID
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gumpymonkey

18 years 1 month ago

advantageous

It appears to me that by your logic...it is only advantageous to be a sheep in solitude if you are trying to draw a pack of wolves upon yourself. Straying to protect the rest of the flock, knowing that you alone have a better chance of out smarting the wolves. You do this by becoming more than just a sheep. You also say this sheep of solitude must endeavor paths unthinkable to sheep. Now with all of this stated what are you trying to say? That smart sheep must risk their own neck to save the idiots? That the solitude sheep can think of things and do things that other sheep cannot? If this is true, should you not call the solitude character something more compound or descriptive than simply another sheep? Please explain your logic... Daniel
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Ink Dragon

18 years 1 month ago

I know it´s not as clear to you as to me

but, like I said, this poem is dedicated to a character in a book I liked, and so it´s perfectly clear to me why I´m talking of sheep...but what I mean is: Don´t be afraid to stray from the flock and try and rearrange your ways of thinking sometimes, before you get rigid in a tight corset of what other people might think about you and your actions. I hope it´s more clear to you now, and maybe you should stop asking what I or other people want to say and start listening to what you hear. because I think this is the crucial point with poetry: what kind of images come to the reader´s mind, what kind of feelings/thoughts are evoked in the reader? So what exactly are your thoughts/feelings? ID
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gumpymonkey

18 years 1 month ago

i am clear

I am not asking "why you are talking of sheep" I am saying...that I understood your goal with this piece. I was helping you to make it more successful by asking inquisitive questions about what seemed to be holes in your poems moral and internal logic. Not what you are referencing or what character it is in honor of. That is a moot point. I have found beauty in each of the pieces I take the time to comment on. But as a workshop, I feel we owe it to one another to inform our peers of holes we find. With all do respect! Please allow others to defend themselves from my comments. I feel like we are all in a classroom and we have to overcome our sensitivity and defensiveness when our work is analyzed by compassionate peers. All of us pushing together down the path of wisdom, not wanting to leave anyone behind. Daniel
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Ink Dragon

18 years 1 month ago

Sorry if I seemed like lashing out

only this is not a "logic" piece, and I really am interested in the images you had in mind when asking your questions in your first comment. I think that this is the beauty of poetry: the very same words evoking different pictures, asking different questions to every reader. Regards, ID Never be afraid to speak your mind, but be prepared for likewise responses...
themoonman

themoonman

17 years 3 months ago

Well then...

another gem I have missed.... I think it indeed has parallel meanings with the poem of mine you pointed out... as far as the writer you mentioned, I am totally ignorant... and intrigued at the same time... have written it down and when time is my friend I will look up "Glennkill" thanks for directing me to this write Nina... Richard
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Ink Dragon

17 years 3 months ago

Richard,

you´re sooo welcome! I think this book would be right up your street. I´ve found out the English title: It´s "Three bags full/A sheep detective story". It´s available via amazon.com. Thanks for the read, friend, ~Nina