#poetry

In the story "What Has Passed Shall in Kinder Light Appear" by the Chinese writer Baoshu, Chinese society moves backward in history, and as a result things get a lot less good.(*)

I have a similar feeling in today's society: many tendencies are backward, and a lot of things are getting worse. I have lived already quite a long time and this is the first time that this has happened. It's been happening for a few years already, but it becomes more and more clear.

The story is named after a poem by the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin

Life’s deceit may Fortune’s fawning
Turn to scorn, yet, as you grieve,
Do not anger, but believe
In tomorrow’s merry dawning.

When your heart is rid at last
Of regret, despair and fear,
In the future, what has passed
Shall in kinder light appear

#poetry #poem #shortstory #literature #scifi

(*) I simplify, a lot happens in that story while the entire recent Chinese history is replayed in reverse.

#Spotted at a Poetry Night at a Small Country Inn in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A man (70s?) with shoulder-length silver hair, John Lennon spectacles and a sonorous Johnny Cash voice walks around outside tables and people sitting by a fire pit. Holding a board with names on it, asking if anyone has a story to tell. Sixteen storytellers on the list.

A regular gets up to pay tribute to a recently deceased friend. Solemn expression. Words flowing. The room silent. People in the room wiping away tears at the words: "A beloved friend is gone...She was local. She was us."

A woman (50s?) takes the stage with hand-made maracas and sings a song about recycling and the environment. Playful smile on her face. Audience feet tapping along. People relaxing back in their seats.

A man (60s?) gets up in front of a packed room and sings the Aussie Rules football team Collingwood's club anthem. Earnest expression. Some people have spoken word. He's got his sport and his team and wants to share the love.

A man (30s?) with a sensible haircut and a nervous air steps up. Voice and hands shaking. Telling a funny story about recent events. Gentle laughter in the room. He steps down with a grateful thanks and to resounding applause. Beaming with happiness.

The typos unexpectedly timed visiting the Mussel Inn in Golden Bay on their Live Poet's Society night. It was an absolute delight. If typos spotted, they'll be chilling by the outside firepit, making new friends, enjoying the vibe.

#poetry

#WordWeavers
Give an example of brilliant writing. What’s special about it?

Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine,
Making the green one red.

Macbeth, having killed the old king, realises he will never be clean of this crime. #Shakespeare matches the poetical with the prosaic expertly, and evokes so much about Macbeth's inner life with this phrase.

#writing #poetry