GRIEF AND MADNESS

Grief and madness borne on the same treespurious fruits of damnationgrimly grafted roots to misery. Sorrow and salvationcut for the same lasttanned and treated memoriesboth present and past. Capitulation and longing hang on the same mastsignposted intentionsnow derilict and outcast. BjR December 21, '09

Jamison writes, "It has been said that grief is a kind of madness. I disagree. There is a sanity to grief, in its just proportion of emotion to cause, that madness does not have."

— Bonitaj, Dec 21, 2009

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: Tip of Southern Africa, ZAF

Favorite Poets: Too many to narrow down, but briefly :, AUDEN, T.S. ELIOT, DICKENSON, RILKE, THOREAU, RUMI ... the list is endless. Am inspired by many, especially those that live lives of "quiet desperation, and go to the grave with a song still in them" (THoreau)

Critiques

Ink Dragon

16 years 5 months ago

Hi Boni,

I can't help feeling that there should be more to it, you know, a little more rawness perhaps? The voice of this poem strikes me as rather detached, rational (resigned?). I'd have expected more - emotions, I think. Yours, ~Nina P.S. An afterthought: Have you ever read about the nine stages of grief? I can look them up for you if you haven't, as I do not remember all of them, but there were denial, rage, acceptance among them.

Bonitaj

16 years 5 months ago

Elizabeth Kubler Ross!

Jawohl! Yes I know them but I think there are only 5. I hear what you're saying and yes - there is a kind of dissociative fugue about this one! Well picked up! Danke Boni

Seren

16 years 5 months ago

LOL and here I was thinking

LOL and here I was thinking it was the seven stages of grief I think we are all reading similar stuff different sources I agree with Nina on this one Boni ... love and hugs Jayne x x

weirdelf

16 years 5 months ago

I was thinking exactly what Nina said before I read the comments

ok, perhaps the poem is at the dissociative fugue stage. Ever heard of poetic license? I suggest you either change the title which disappoints expectations or add some maddened grief to the poem. Cheers, Jess, reprehensibly irrepressible

Bonitaj

16 years 5 months ago

Esteemed colleagues!

I am most respectful of your insights and comments. If you haven't experienced a "dissociative fugue" you have to try it! ;) lol. But seriously, going back on the history of a lot of my work, you'll uncover enough madness to warrant concern, so perhaps this is a developmental "standing back" which I for one, am appreciative of - especially at this time of Christmas madness! Thank you Jess - I do think I'll re-work it, once the burn-out has past! All the best for the Festivities! Boni

Orphani

16 years 5 months ago

I hope you realise that one

I hope you realise that one day that beach balls gonna pop. Metered rhyme is tough to pull off. your concept has merit but it lacks an integrating cohesion,in the metaphors but that's not essential.You need further development. Your meter is off also. You seem a bit distant from the attempt here.It needs a deeper layer of personnal connection I think.Is that enough kicks in the ass for one poem tough girl.Somehow I know your going to pull this off. Not my head;the poem. Barry ...o..

Bonitaj

16 years 5 months ago

Yup Barry!

I intend to as soon as I land from this AIR BALLOON! (that too could pop with far more severe consequences ;) cheers Boni