Our Adversity

We have left the world behind haven’t we? I want to be in Poliphili’s dream for a while. That would be a triumph of everything wouldn’t it? To begin in a forest before there were men with guns. Everything would be enunciated perfectly if we could follow Poliphili into this strange place of rest. I would tell the despicable dull-suited men that “although we are intent on such praiseworthy idleness, you will not disturb our calm and pleasant relaxation.” How wonderful it would be to put the grievous pains behind us and wallow in everything that has so far not been taken into account.

“Many a green isle needs must be
In the deep, wide sea of Misery
Or the mariner, worn and wan,
Never thus could linger on –
Day and night, and night and day,
Drifting on his weary way
With the solid darkness black
Closing round his vessel’s track.” (Shelley – Lines Written Among the Euganean Hills)

Where are our green isles? They are taking them from us; they are building arms factories in their place aren’t they? Is their nothing we can do? I suppose that too many of us have lost faith in poetry and if we cannot speak the words of liberation, speak them with subtlety and invigorating grandeur, then we cannot bring wonder and justice into the world

“A wretched soul, bruised with adversity,
We bid be quiet when we hear it cry;
But were we burdened with like weight of pain,
As much or more we should ourselves complain.” (Shakespeare, A Comedy of Errors)

A Comedy of Errors – how profoundly fitting is that!?