Revenge
An Ode65 total reviews
Comment from pipersfancy
Your technical brilliance is on display here Tony, as always, and so it is the theme itself I turn to for comment. I viewed an exhibit at the Winnipeg Art Gallery over the weekend--Picasso, Man and Beast--which showcased his Vollard Suite created in the 1930's. Image after image featured Picasso's alter ego, the Minotaur, with a fair number of appearances by his other alter ego Zeus. It was a wonderful reminder to me that artists of all sorts find an inexhaustible source of creative energy and inspiration in ancient mythology.
Certainly a wonderful work, Tony, and I enjoyed reading this one immensely!
pf
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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Your technical brilliance is on display here Tony, as always, and so it is the theme itself I turn to for comment. I viewed an exhibit at the Winnipeg Art Gallery over the weekend--Picasso, Man and Beast--which showcased his Vollard Suite created in the 1930's. Image after image featured Picasso's alter ego, the Minotaur, with a fair number of appearances by his other alter ego Zeus. It was a wonderful reminder to me that artists of all sorts find an inexhaustible source of creative energy and inspiration in ancient mythology.
Certainly a wonderful work, Tony, and I enjoyed reading this one immensely!
pf
Comment Written 17-Jul-2017
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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Very many thanks for your kind comments and six star award, Christina. Much appreciated! The Winnipeg exhibition sounds marvellous Tony
Comment from TAB_that's me
Not only is it a wonderful ode but so very well written. The best meter I've read for some time! Very descriptive language making this come alive.
teresa
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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Not only is it a wonderful ode but so very well written. The best meter I've read for some time! Very descriptive language making this come alive.
teresa
Comment Written 17-Jul-2017
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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Thanks, Teresa. As always, I appreciate your review and kind words. Thanks, too, for the six stars! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Mrs Happy Poet
Hello my friend what can I say this is very well written a tale that I did not know and you tell it perfectly showing how much work goes into your poetry I enjoyed well done again regards Jill
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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Hello my friend what can I say this is very well written a tale that I did not know and you tell it perfectly showing how much work goes into your poetry I enjoyed well done again regards Jill
Comment Written 17-Jul-2017
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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Very many thanks for your kind comments and six stars, Jill. Much appreciated! Tony
Comment from Mark Valentine
A classic tale with a timeless moral told in exquisite verse. Poetry at its finest. For me, the insertion of the lone voice saying "enough" (I'm not sure if that is a feature of the original myth) really makes this one stand out as it highlights the message that redemption had to not only be offered, but claimed- and that a quality of vengeance is that it gives us tunnel vision and prevents us from seeing anything but the goal that is directly in front of us.
The iambic pentameter adds to the classic feel and the rhyme scheme is one not often seen - I like it - is that part of the English Ode form?
And, as is often the case with ancient myths, there is a nugget of truth in them that gives them their staying power. One can't help but wonder where dragon's teeth are being sown today.
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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A classic tale with a timeless moral told in exquisite verse. Poetry at its finest. For me, the insertion of the lone voice saying "enough" (I'm not sure if that is a feature of the original myth) really makes this one stand out as it highlights the message that redemption had to not only be offered, but claimed- and that a quality of vengeance is that it gives us tunnel vision and prevents us from seeing anything but the goal that is directly in front of us.
The iambic pentameter adds to the classic feel and the rhyme scheme is one not often seen - I like it - is that part of the English Ode form?
And, as is often the case with ancient myths, there is a nugget of truth in them that gives them their staying power. One can't help but wonder where dragon's teeth are being sown today.
Comment Written 17-Jul-2017
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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Very many thanks for your kind comments and six stars, Mark. Much appreciated! I took the rhyme scheme from Keats. His five major odes all used it, with some variations to the order of rhymes in the sestet, rather as you find in a Petrarchan sonnet. The story is just a figment of my imagination, not based on any particular myth. Tony
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
I learned something here in your poem as I did not know about this story in Greek mythology. Always love your writing, such a joy to read, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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I learned something here in your poem as I did not know about this story in Greek mythology. Always love your writing, such a joy to read, love Dolly x
Comment Written 17-Jul-2017
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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Very many thanks for your kind comments, Dolly. Much appreciated! The story is just a figment of my imagination, not based on any particular myth.Tony
Comment from Gloria ....
Exceptional poem, Tony. With your flawless iambic meter and skilled enjambment, this poem is a work of great beauty. I've never heard the phrase to sow dragon's teeth before, but it is apropos to the searing drive of revenge. The dish that truly is best served up cold if you don't want its backsplash burning your own heart.
Exceptional with every word.
Gloria
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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Exceptional poem, Tony. With your flawless iambic meter and skilled enjambment, this poem is a work of great beauty. I've never heard the phrase to sow dragon's teeth before, but it is apropos to the searing drive of revenge. The dish that truly is best served up cold if you don't want its backsplash burning your own heart.
Exceptional with every word.
Gloria
Comment Written 16-Jul-2017
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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Very many thanks for your kind comments and six stars, Gloria. Much appreciated! Tony
Comment from royowen
You are so good at the magnificent expression Tony, a big work that gives wings to a scribe' narrative that extols the magic of the written word. You are a wordsmith's wordsmith, so much I don't think I would even bother to compete, well done, this word welter is superb, excellent job, blessings, Roy
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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You are so good at the magnificent expression Tony, a big work that gives wings to a scribe' narrative that extols the magic of the written word. You are a wordsmith's wordsmith, so much I don't think I would even bother to compete, well done, this word welter is superb, excellent job, blessings, Roy
Comment Written 16-Jul-2017
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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Thanks, Roy. As always, I appreciate your review and kind words. Best wishes, Tony
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Welcome Tony
Comment from ~Dovey
Hi Tony:
I love that you chose the painting by George Stubbs as your illustration. Did you know that he may be in the lineage of Pantygynt? Pantygynt challenged me to write the epitaph of George Stubbs during NaPo in April. Here is an excerpt from the poem that resulted from that challenge:
Though artist and engraver he would be;
George Stubbs possessed a spirit wild and free.
As no moss gathers on the rolling stones,
wild horses animate within his bones.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love your opening stanza. It introduces the intricate rhyme scheme and sets the stage for this epic poem. I also appreciate your mythological ties. I wasn't familiar with this particular myth of Cadmus or the expression, "to sow the dragon's teeth." Thank you for this exquisite introduction. Your rhyme and meter are impeccable.
My favorite verse:
Wild fly their feathered tails as stallions stamp
and snort a trailing mist of billowed breath.
Their wide eyes gleam with fear, their flanks still damp
with dew condensed from skies foretelling death
as night subsides, to sleep in buried woods
beyond the glare, the joyless glare of day.
Behold, the riders come with glinting swords,
and spurs to goad these steeds in blinkered hoods,
that paw the brazen earth in fierce display,
and neigh at the approach of their grim lords.
Bravo!!
Kim
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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Hi Tony:
I love that you chose the painting by George Stubbs as your illustration. Did you know that he may be in the lineage of Pantygynt? Pantygynt challenged me to write the epitaph of George Stubbs during NaPo in April. Here is an excerpt from the poem that resulted from that challenge:
Though artist and engraver he would be;
George Stubbs possessed a spirit wild and free.
As no moss gathers on the rolling stones,
wild horses animate within his bones.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love your opening stanza. It introduces the intricate rhyme scheme and sets the stage for this epic poem. I also appreciate your mythological ties. I wasn't familiar with this particular myth of Cadmus or the expression, "to sow the dragon's teeth." Thank you for this exquisite introduction. Your rhyme and meter are impeccable.
My favorite verse:
Wild fly their feathered tails as stallions stamp
and snort a trailing mist of billowed breath.
Their wide eyes gleam with fear, their flanks still damp
with dew condensed from skies foretelling death
as night subsides, to sleep in buried woods
beyond the glare, the joyless glare of day.
Behold, the riders come with glinting swords,
and spurs to goad these steeds in blinkered hoods,
that paw the brazen earth in fierce display,
and neigh at the approach of their grim lords.
Bravo!!
Kim
Comment Written 16-Jul-2017
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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Very many thanks for your kind comments and six stars, Kim. Much appreciated! Fascinating information about Jim! I must look back over your portfolio and find the whole poem. Tony
Comment from livelylinda
Tony: you have even passed yourself with this great ode! Such beautiful work! You put Shakespeare to shame here. It is always a delight to read your words. God bless you. Linda
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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Tony: you have even passed yourself with this great ode! Such beautiful work! You put Shakespeare to shame here. It is always a delight to read your words. God bless you. Linda
Comment Written 16-Jul-2017
reply by the author on 19-Jul-2017
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Thanks, Linda. As always, I appreciate your review and kind words. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from rosehill (Wendy)
Well, Homer and The Beowulf Poet have nothing on you, Tony. This is so rich in words, visuals and emotion. I was swept along in her grief and anger; I was saddened by her choice of revenge, yet understood her . It is a masterpiece and I really liked the shift in rhyme scheme that kept the poem from droning on, which can happen at this length. I read it, read it a second time, read it aloud, and still found myself in keen anticipation of the next phrase. Bravo.
reply by the author on 16-Jul-2017
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Well, Homer and The Beowulf Poet have nothing on you, Tony. This is so rich in words, visuals and emotion. I was swept along in her grief and anger; I was saddened by her choice of revenge, yet understood her . It is a masterpiece and I really liked the shift in rhyme scheme that kept the poem from droning on, which can happen at this length. I read it, read it a second time, read it aloud, and still found myself in keen anticipation of the next phrase. Bravo.
Comment Written 16-Jul-2017
reply by the author on 16-Jul-2017
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Perhaps the most complimentary review that I have ever received, Wendy! One thing I do have in common with them is that I, too, am pretty ancient! I'm delighted that you enjoyed this one. It took me most of the week to write it!
