December 9, 2013

Voyage

aa_john_william_waterhouse_-_ulysses_and_the_sirens_1891.jpg

Sirens remove
        the soul from its vessel,
failing to slake
        the thirst or the ocean.
        Sails
billowing under Gemini and Scorpio, mute
oarsmen -- doubloons
nailed to the mast
        retain it, retain. What we learn
from literature will not avail us.

Music, ocean, ear, all
        swell the tides of our bones,
        gathering us
        down into the undertow,
        bearing us onward, outwards,
        far from the place we stand in.
Our island with its' charmed forest.
Our lagoons, each with their Circe.
Her perilous enchantment. This habitation
        entered on all our maps --
        the place, the forest, the guardians
of that path, this dank lair, the gate of shadows,
and all that which, revealed, enmeshes and presents
        that grail which we would drink from,
        dead or elsewhere. This
vision we are almost certain of.
                It does not avail us.

Only the moon prevails,
        solely la lune seule
                because of the light in the forest
                because we are the light, unknowing,
                and the leaves which it illumines, knowing.
 
The words of which
        hold
The sound of which
        --it could be breakers --
removes us, removes

Posted by gerardvanderleun at December 9, 2013 11:15 PM
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"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.

I've actually been to Capri, seen the Caprese girls and understand what Ulysses was worried about. Temptresses every one.

Posted by: glenn at December 10, 2013 8:56 AM

Oh! Because lovely, just...

Posted by: Joan of Argghh! at December 10, 2013 3:58 PM

I think I may be the only man in America who still reads Prince Valiant every Sunday. This past weekend Valiant's ship heard the Sirens and was about to get into trouble. But, His wife was on board and she went upside Valiants head. I guess that will save the day.

http://comicskingdom.com/prince-valiant/2013-12-08

Posted by: Fat Man at December 10, 2013 4:35 PM

And here are the lyrics of the Becker Fagen version:

HOME AT LAST

I know this super highway
This bright familiar sun
I guess that I'm the lucky one
Who wrote that tired sea song
Set on this peaceful shore
You think you've heard this one before

Well the danger on the rocks is surely past
Still I remain tied to the mast
Could it be that I have found my home at last
Home at last

She serves the smooth retsina
She keeps me safe and warm
It's just the calm before the storm
Call in my reservation
So long hey thanks my friend
I guess I'll try my luck again

Well the danger on the rocks is surely past
Still I remain tied to the mast
Could it be that I have found my home at last
Home at last

http://www.steelydan.com/lyraja.html#track5

Posted by: Fat Man at December 10, 2013 6:01 PM

I love Waterhouse paintings, wish I could afford one.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at December 11, 2013 9:39 AM

Odysseus could use some calves, maybe a chest too. Where was grey eyed Athena?

Posted by: chuck at December 11, 2013 1:06 PM