Marbles

The Janus tongue searches for

hairline

ear

the Siamese twin

and cries to see/yearns to see

brother     lover

sister     father     in the balding crown

and feels the skin stretching

pulled by frown

iron filed tightened knot

the wafer of joined marrow

splits and they run,

running in different directions

chasing the same thing

one to the day, one to the night

hurtling unaware

towards the face they fear

gathering detritus and space dust

entangled in wild hair

and slammed into the membrane

of their own seeing eye

and blink and think and wink

and a murder of crows

leave footprints on skin

the unravelling of puzzles

the perfect Solitaire

(16 ways to win including

upside down and backwards)

the first move is one

the second move splits the board

 in two

dancing within the marble sphere

elliptic

they both return to centre

and there is only one

with adventure journeys to share

whispering into their own ear

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

A lot of different symbols in this one, but splitting is mentioned twice, so I think the theme might have to do with separation. In the end, though, there seems to be a return to the "centre," and a sharing of stories. Perhaps the lesson is that we all come home in the end.

[gram linski]

aye spot on John, we all come home in the end, thanks for the read, appreciate,

[Beccy]

We do tend to spin around don't we. Life sometimes feels like a pinball machine, whizzing here and there, sometimes winning, sometimes not; those two faces of fate none can escape; but as you say, we always return.

An interesting and enjoyable read.

Beccy.

[gram linski]

thanks, Beccy, aye we do indeed, glad you enjoyed

[Eilis]

Your marble metaphor is inspired. If all goes as planned only one remains, but how difficult it is to reach that point. There are so many possibilities and barriers. So much space that can be empty, but nevertheless be a barrier to the centering.

The puzzle remains, how do two move out / come back to the board and become the one. The coveted solution when so many possibilities rest outside of that. I suppose no matter what we do, we can only do what we know how to do at the moment. Winning games of solitaire is one of those challenges I’ve never been very good at, so I enjoy the resolution at the end.

The chaos subsides and a kind of grounding takes over where all the jostling stops and the single marble rests there quietly. At least that’s the vision in my head. Like a mad game of pinball that ends in a kind of satisfied silence.

I like the build of the beginning, in particular. The human element. Seeking the single self in a double vision. Separation inevitable, but in separation there is growth and understanding that allows the centering there at the end.

At least this is how my mind is processing the idea. The Janus duality cannot become something singular unless it is first ripped apart.

A lot of compelling symbology in this poem. I loved that murder of crows footprint image especially.

Great poem, Gram

[gram linski]

hey, Eilis thanks for the great review, aye it's that thing where your image of you meets someone else's vision of you , it's that Nihilist view of destroying everything and rebuilding, lol, Nihilist Solitaire, now there is an idea, haha, thanks as always, Eilis

[Chris Shaw]

Solitaire and the return to centre. I had solitaire with marbles, not plastic pegs. Drove me nuts it did. I could never get there, no matter how many times I tried. Your Siamese twins gave me strong imagery. The separation such an intricate operation, especially if they are joined at the head. I got lost on the board again, not sure what your meaning is here, but thought I'd chuck in my penny worth anyway. Happy weekend gram.

Chris

[gram linski]

top o' the morning Chris, your penny's worth is worth a couple of quid up here, lol, the solitaire thing is true 16 ways both directions , thanks for stopping by, good luck with the rugby, boohoo

[Chris Shaw]

Wot a nice thing to say. Next time my other half tells me I am nagging I wii tell him my words are gold dust. Yes, the rugby is eagerly awaited by him indoors. I might even watch it myself :)