Poetry Corner

A Dream within a Dream

Edgar Allan Poe

(1850)

Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow --
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand --
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep -- while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?

I haven't posted in awhile, been busy with studies but I will post something meaningful soon. Just thought I would share with you guys one of my favourite poems.

I love the whole Fantasy/reality dynamic though as a complete laymen in poetry analysis I will leave the in depth analyzing to the professionals. However as a layman for me the second stanza stands out. Our dreams are just like grains of sand, numerous and each one unique.Just like sand they can be blown away by the slightest problematic "gust" of life; usually these "gusts" occur all year around which can be highly annoying. Certain dreams no matter how hard we hold on to them just slip away with time, its never meant to be, whether it be in life or love some dreams are just one step too far. Think the worst thing is actually accepting and learning to deal with the loss of a dream and the period after where you have to fall back on "Plan B" or begin the tedious journey of formulating a new dream. The realization that some dreams are in fact merely dreams is the key. So hope you enjoyed it.

Kuwabara, Kuwabara
The Lone Writer

*cough * Judgmental *cough*

Dear Blog_Critic

I thank you for your tremendous contribution to this blog. Through your comments which are laced with vindictive, malicious sarcasm I have realized that you are a very judgmental person who merely feels an innate desire to criticize others so that you can some how feel high and mighty about yourself. I completely understand that you have nothing else of substance to write about so being a blog critic was the next best thing which you seem to have embraced with the dedication of a shaolin monk. You don't seem to be able to be accepting of anything that is not in accordance with your subjective opinion on what constitutes quality and blatantly degrade and put down those that do not conform with these subjective values which you hold so dear.

You are a destructive critic who pounces on the smallest deficiency in a persons writing and in doing so somehow feel as if you are doing a public service. I assure that your opinion with regards to my writing or anyone else's is not wanted or needed as you don't really matter in our lives. Of course we don't mean anything in your life yet you still feel it necessary to bombard some of us with your comments, this I do not understand and I think you over estimate your importance in this blogosphere. I know the answer will be that "if you write crap expect to hear about it", but your blog or lack thereof states that you don't comment on blogs you don't like so again you contradict yourself as you clearly don't like my blog as it bores you. Do you think it concerns me if you are bored? I think not.

I don't expect you to stop with your comments and constant assumptions that some of us are somehow inferior to yourself and that we are retards and that we should think before we write. You seem to take blogging seriously so I will leave you to it...in fact I'll give you a pat on the back for finding your purpose in life, not many can say that and im sure since you are someone of extreme intelligence that you have realized this.

However in your attempt at being antagonistic I can see some hint of constructive criticism, which coming from you is amazing. You may have a point that my writing has lacked that something and I will be the first to admit that my grammar and spelling recently has been atrocious. However this is due to the fact that unlike your supreme self I haven't had time to proof read my posts or spell check them or be bothered since I've been a tad bit busy in real life. So pardon my human flaws we don't all aspire to be someone such as yourself, perfect and all knowing. I find blogging therapeutic so hence I've been blogging on a whim and rambling even, do I need your permission to that? Again I think not.

My intention in my last post was not to showcase how perfect my life is, which it isn't, but was to allude to the point that this world is a mad one where one can experience ups and downs and that no matter how well things are going one cannot forget the hard times. I apologize for experiencing some happiness in my life, ill be sure to check with you first before I do again.

So I thank you for that comment of yours and I will try to rectify my writing to my standards and not yours, but I still feel your aim is clearly to antagonize people and to get a reaction. Yes this is a reaction and I'm sure your harem of blog friends will descend upon this post and blog like vultures picking it apart. They are free to do so, whilst giggling and laughing at my stupidity and lack of a brain.

I know im not perfect and I know that I never will be, but do you know this about yourself?

Now have your opinion but this will be my last and only response to your opinions.

It is not advisable, James, to venture unsolicited opinions. You should spare yourself the embarrassing discovery of their exact value to your listener.Ayn Rand (1905 - 1982), Atlas Shrugged, 1957

Kuwabara, Kuwabara
The Lone Writer

It's a Mad Mad World....

I am sure that everybody on this beautiful planet (Global warming aside), has at some time or the other had a song just stick in their head and play over and over and over again until it becomes annoyingly infuriating. That happens to me a lot and usually it’s the most annoying song imaginable. However for the past 2 days I've thoroughly enjoyed the song that has infested my cranial cavity and resonated through my soul (My God that was almost a sign of intelligence on my part).

The song "Mad World" by Gary Jules is an extremely powerful song. The words are not drowned out by the music but are perfectly complimented to add to the general ambiance of the song which sends shivers down ones spine.

The world is truly mad yet if it wasn't would we have anything to wake up to in the morning? The ups and downs, the insanity and sanity, the trials and tribulations and of course the hardships that never seem to end. However it’s also filled with moments where just when you think you may be loosing your grip and you are going to fail it suddenly all comes back into focus and with extreme clarity the answer presents itself or the situation doesn’t seem so bad. All this however helps one grow and mature as a person so that when the next problem arises we are equipped with the mental maturity to deal with it. Ok i may be rambling...

My life, as all of ours, has seen moments of extreme "bleakness" where nothing seems to go right. You just take hits after hits and are expected to get up and carry on being a punching bag for a society which has a warped sense of values. You speak to people because bottling these emotions up are dangerous and they all tell you the same thing ..."just be patient"..."what’s meant to happen will happen". The same old version is just regurgitated and thrown into your face time and time again.....mildly annoying I must admit.

However there may be something to this patience thing. "Things come to those who wait" and with the grace and wisdom of the Almighty I can finally see the patience paying off and my life falling into place. Its an exciting time, not everything is peachy but im starting to see the rainbow at the end of the storm. We should never forget where we came from or how we managed to get to a certain stage in life. Sometimes we can loose focus and get cocky and attempt to fly only to have our wings clipped. I know I haven’t encapsulated what I truly feel in this piece but this song is powerful none the less. Of course I have taken a somewhat ego centric look at this mad World but please forgive me, I know that im one of the fortunate ones and that to millions out there this world is truly mad as well as unforgiving and merciless.

Here are the lyrics to the song enjoy:

"Mad World"

All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow

And I find it kinda funny
I find it kinda sad
The dreams in which I'm dying
Are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very, very mad world mad world

Children waiting for the day they feel good
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday
Made to feel the way that every child should
Sit and listen, sit and listen
Went to school and I was very nervous
No one knew me, no one knew me
Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson
Look right through me, look right through me

And I find it kinda funny
I find it kinda sad
The dreams in which I'm dying
Are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very, very mad world ... mad world
Enlarging your world
Mad world

Kuwabara, Kuwabara
The Lone Writer

Working Class Hero...

I've always been a fan of classic music and the the original version of "Working Class Hero" by John Lennon is no exception. However this Cover by Green day just blew me away. Its a great song with a powerful message thats just been amplified by Green Day. Notice the tribute to John Lennon at the end of the song....Enjoy

I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom. Bob Dylan (1941 - )

Kuwabara, Kuwabara
The Lone Writer