2000-05-22 - 09:30:00
THE GARDEN -- JANUARY 2000
This poem was written late one freezing January night at about 2:30 in the morning. The darkness and the frigid wind blowing outside reminded me of a time my life when I failed to appreciate myself and wondered what my life was all about… In retrospect, I can see how I felt, and I can compare that moment then with how I feel today… Surely I was wise to continue the course I set for my life, for I have learned much since that cold January night.
This poem points out the differences between younger and older men and the values they place on knowledge gained. This is not a new dichotomy, but it is surely a Western dichotomy. In Eastern society, old men are revered for their wisdom. In the West, only a few wise and mature youth have learned this secret of life...
How dare you come here lying your way passed the gatekeepers?
Shame and Curses on you! Be gone immediately Old Man or you will be caste into the fires of hell. What makes you think you are fit enough to share company with our young maidens?Or sport with our men?
What have you to say for your self?
Speak fool!
Or thee be mocked and shamed some more.
Oh Guardian spare me your endless pain.
I came to recover my distant past...
To see once again
In the brightness of the day,
To smell the hemlock and be nourished by the ripe fruit in your garden.
I meant no harm.
Be gone Old Man, take thy wisdom with thee,
It has no currency here.
It brings no joy to the men and women sitting idle on the grass.
Why Old Man seem you so clearly out of place here, perhaps you can amuse us with your pitiful pleas for purpose?
What say thee?
I come a wandering man aged by the sun, and chilled by the moon.
The doctor took my only daughter, and discarded her soul.
I thought I might find her here.
My wife was left standing by the river, and she was washed away by the Sea.
I thought she might have washed up upon your shores, that she might still be alive this day.
My life was spent piling accomplishments upon themselves until they reached the stars.
I came looking for the night sky that I might know why I had created them.
Be gone Old Man!
These are useless words.
I know not even what they mean.
Your time has passed.
You have no right to claim it here.
Go back to your city!
Leave these lush gardens to the animals and the birds.
Cast you out of the Garden of Paradise, and if I see you here in the morning I will surely send thee to the fires of Hell!
