To thine own self be true

“I’m the fuckin’ president!” screamed by Donald Trump in the prez SUV Suburban on Jan. 6 at secret service agents as he tried to grab the steering wheel, then ended up trying to choke the #1 agent who pried his hand away from the wheel. *This story has not been rebutted with any counter-evidence thus far.

Cassidy Hutchinson–young American hero for doing the right things and testifying truthfully in depth despite death threats–is the new John Dean. Hutchinson’s detailed testimony should finally lead to Trump getting his just deserts in court and be the defining end of the bully-tyrant. Merrick Garland now has a veritable slew of possible charges to drive a stake thru Trump’s heart. 

I am popping the cork today; this has been the long-awaited day of reckoning I’ve much longed for since 2017. This one is the Truth finally coming out against all odds and a steady firehose of GOP lies and cover-ups. Here’s to the good, truly courageous  people of the world who do what’s right for the the greater causes of democracy and the health and survival of their nations. They point the way out of the long night of King Learish evil and corruption.

I still used “sneaked”, the original past tense of “to sneak” after all these years.

A pause in the series which will resume soon…

A father driving is asked by his child in a car seat what the future is. He replies by taking his hands off the steering wheel, thereby impressing the kid with his “no hands” move that suggests car technology is magical and that it’s perfectly ok to let the car drive them both on the highway without any hands-on contact, and with no responsible concern for himself and his child.

So, millions of father-viewers take note and go out and buy Chevs to impress their young kids with their fake superpowers. Kids watching the ad grow up believing that if they want to be cool like Dad, they’ll buy Chevs and one day drive with no hands to impress someone else in turn.

Canadian parents taking their 5 and under kids to the States for a Covid shot they can’t get here.
American women coming to Canada to get abortions they can’t get legally in their home states.

And many Americans investigating moving to Canada after the recent SCOTUS abortion insanity.

Poems are mirrors of life experience, others, the world. People who come to poetry readings, for instance, are often looking for something; for example, confirmation of common feelings, common ground. Often they come for information to hear what others have observed and recorded.

Two other things sought are 1) to be touched by words/by someone else and 2) to recover missed/missing feelings such as the feelings of childhood, youth, or young adulthood.

Poetry performs services for others and, at a reading for instance, there is an expectation that listeners will be welcomed, and possibly flattered, understood, and appreciated. Others will come for answers to their life problems and questions.

Although the poet or reader shares of him/herself and has written poems that reveal him/her deeper feelings, moods, and opinions, there is always room for the listener to find him/herself likewise in what is recited and to respond in kind. As with all writing, reader response (c.f. Louise Rosenblatt for more on this) remains at least 50% of whatever sharing. Each listener or reader is entitled to learn something about themselves and to extend the process creatively, as well.

Poems, like all art, are potentially communications, to begin with, first and foremost. And, if their messages are received, they have the potential to become transmitted consciousness from one human to another.

For me, my poems are communications and potential gifts to any readers. I imagine and know for a fact that, after I’m gone, that my poems and, perhaps this one, will continue to have a life influencing some people down the road.

In that prospect some notion of timelessness, eternity, and permanence which makes all poetry-writing worthwhile beyond self-expression and creation.

“culture being a pursuit of our total perfection by means of getting to know, on all the matters which most concern us, the best which has been thought and said in the world.“

Robert Browning, another Victorian poet, similarly raised a similar ideal: “Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, Or what’s a heaven for?”

Toady I am afraid that  we are surrounded by the worst which has been thought and said in the world.

As Yeats put it, 

for everyone and everything every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every month, every year…

And so human memory and historical memory become very important, and nothing more real and lasting personally, in a sense, than what you did, what you chose and accomplished in your life.

Too, the permanence suggested by The Arts, the artworks that have lasted, notably remarkable structures and buildings as Lord Kenneth Clark pointed out in his acclaimed Civilisation tv series. Having access to these artworks via travel, tours, in person or via videos, books, music and movie players becomes a daily necessity for some like myself. Elitist perhaps, but in the best sense of providing ideals, hope, and inspiration. Works and deeds of genius that uplift and speak to the human soul of the human spirit and its infinite positive possibilities.

All this has certainly given me a greater sense of context (along with my studies of history) of what is eternal, the major recurring patterns and themes, and a sense of glorious permanence that is still available in our contemporary chaotic, upside-down world. And yes, so there are things that shall always be the best of human civilization and cultures that stand as permanent markers of greater meaning and purpose in individual life.

Some days, the feeling of really knowing oneself. Despite years of failed connections and inner restlessness. And, all the while, changing as we go. Love perhaps proving to be the most elusive state/experience. The best moments: reciprocally being in someone else/a part of someone else. That self being the most known and intimate version of “I”. In those moments, two come very close to “It” and the peace that passeth understanding.