Image: River Irwell by R.A.D. Stainforth
Picture Credit: Courtesy of Tess' Magpie
Doses of sincere opinions
Transparent in their stance
The sense of touch was all they needed
They extended their verdicts
The blind men and
the elephant
They were now called
upon again
They could tell us a thing or two
Of how they ‘viewed’ a movement
Their philosophy of a flowing body of water
The blind men and the river
It’s now telepathic the blind men said
Devoid of a physical touch
They sensed their ‘view’
through remote
Honed through skillful experience
A river was peaceful,
serene in its flow said one
No, it’s lazily lethargic and slow
said the other. It’s secretive,
dungeons full of mysteries below
A river had given life, sustained life
Hydro electric power, Omega-3 power
said the quiet one
A river had given life, sustained life
Hydro electric power, Omega-3 power
said the quiet one
Wait a minute, I’ve ‘seen’ different
said another, the fury unleashed to Man and property….
destruction all the way
Rivers conjured myriads in our minds
The philosophical one countered
I could see it, I could see it
Akin to Man in his dealings
Written for Tess’ Magpie #116
"Akin to man and his dealings" You captured the many facets of rivers and men so nicely. And the blind men see so well.
ReplyDeleteSurely not up the creek without paddle with your verse, as you captured the essense of it's flow with ease.
ReplyDeleteAnd so it is really isn't it? What one river is to one is a nightmare of all proportions to another whose home or land is being flooded by a swollen river which bursts its banks.
ReplyDeleteGreat aspects of it seen from several different view points.
Nice write Hank!
there is much mystery below the surface of the river you know...smiles....def like all the various perspectives you evoke hank...
ReplyDeleteGreat xontrast pf the river in its destructive as well as generative aspect, its easy to forget this equally as important function . Thanks
ReplyDeleteOh I'll still take the river..
ReplyDeleteThe Blind Men and The Elephant is one of my favorite parables ... glad you used it this week, Hank.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to think how a blind person would perceive a river. Seems the river men got beyond the elephant men. And surely it applies to so much--perspective. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteJust beyond the river bend
ReplyDeleteDesolation
When will man learn?
Thanks for linking to Poetry Jam. I always enjoyed the story of the Blind Men and the Elephant, and I really appreciated YOUR version...including the river.
ReplyDeleteI also love the story of the Blind Men and the Elephant. Your version with the river is much like a river itself, able to sweep us away in thought contemplating the depths. Thanks for linking up over at Poetry Jam!
ReplyDeleteGreat job in pointing out the many facets and aspects to reflect upon.
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ReplyDeleteI'm all for a little philosophical musing! :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed all the different images of the river gained through psychic vision.
ReplyDeleteI can't help thinking - elephants need to drink thirty gallons of water a day... Wouldn't a river come in handy? LOL
ReplyDeleteThey really see so much more than the seeing. Excellent work!
ReplyDeleteAs many rivers as there are eyes to see and minds to imagine....just wonderful!!!!!!!!!
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