Our dreams are some of the most intriguing concepts in life. Oprah says it is "a unique calling" for each and every one of us, as in an ambition. John Updike says that dreams are there to "incite us to have them". Another figure was quoted, "dreams are windows to the soul" - just as our eyes. Dreams are a gift and humans are privileged to have this kind of capacity - the power to create images in our sleep. Our dreams are actually a blurry and mysterious reflection of our inner and deeper aspirations in life - our dream home, what type of life we aspire for, even the partner we've been longing for.
For Red, his contemplations about this ideal person or partner is dream-like. He wrote an eighth installment of in somnis veritas to express his strong feelings about the person who would complement not what is lacking or missing in the persona, but what is already there - the negative (or perceived to be not-so-tolerable qualities like "the flail", "the catatonic", "the rigid", "clandestine", or "lecherous") and the positive (or accepted traits like being empathic, lucid, and gracious).There's welcoming and hope.
In the last part of the poem, the author intensifies the drama and contrast by using paradoxes. The conjoined contradictions create more expression to the point of exaggeration. Then the tone eases and relaxes, with a soft finishing touch.
Braid a barren bestiality with your behemoth brand,
The use of the oxymoron "barren bestiality" heightens the contrast that was established in the poem. This line becomes surreal, and even more exaggerated with the use of "behemoth brand". If anything, it's a euphemism for something I personally like, if not referring to the admiree's famous name. Why would the persona unite his barren bestiality with the admiree's behemoth brand? Oh, as it is being written, it just occured to me it's a euphemism for sex - which I think is clever. *Grin*
Dancing deranged until dawn’s despotism.
The despotism of dawn is another strong paradox. We usually see dawn as a gentle beginning, not as a tyrant or a violent end. But if the sex is really that good, and you've not done it for some time, you wouldn't want that session to end, would you? And by morning, you don't have a choice but to end it, unsure if it's gonna happen again, much less if the repeat is as naughty or pleasing - if not more lecherous and intense - than the last.
Meander your mischief manhood morose,
If anything, I'd like to consider it as euphimism for something that gets relaxed when it has been tense for a long time.
Pleat this prolonged perturbance with pristine peace.
The persona likes tranquility to finish off the tension. It's also a signal for a grooving-down, after an intense grinding till dawn.
Sealing my serenity in solemn sensuality.
The last line caps it off. The peace and tranquility that he desires is coupled with sensuality. It's much like an afterplay. The soft /s/ and /l/ sounds of the words suggest a gentle caress after the consummation.
The whole poem is like a dream sequence: the persona finds the ideal lover, wants to be with that person despite negativities, they make immense love with each other, and ends in solemn sensuality.
Quoting Vince D'Angelo, Bobby Cannavale's character in the sitcom "Will & Grace", "I'm like an onion, I have layers." The same applies to in somnis veritas VIII. The poem doesn't make use of dramatic words to give the reader the message that his ideal guy is all a dream - and that the love-making and the ideal relationship remains like that - ideal. The poem uses techniques to create drama, tension, and contrast successfully, bringing its readers to a level they've never gone before. The reader has to peel out its skin, and then has to dissect those layers of fleshy thoughts to get to the core of the poem. And in doing so, the reader appreciates the work of the author.
Showing posts with label veritas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label veritas. Show all posts
Friday, April 9, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Interpretations of in somnis veritas VIII by red the mod Part II
Dreams surely are difficult, confusing, and not everything in them is brought to pass for mankind. For fleeting dreams have two gates: one is fashioned of horn and one of ivory. Those which pass through the one of sawn ivory are deceptive, bringing tidings which come to nought, but those which issue from the one of polished horn bring true results when a mortal sees them. - Homer (800 BC - 700 BC), The Odyssey
In the first part, I wrote about my fascination to in somnis veritas VIII, a poem in a series of contemplations written by red the mod. The first verse tells us the persona's strong desire to welcome his admiree in his world. There's tension between the heart and the mind, and contention for complementation and reciprocation. The next verse supplements this belief with the hope on love as a powerful force of change and redemption.
Genuflect gustatory glimpses by your graces,
It's like the persona is saying "My eyes can't look directly at your beauty and elegance" or "My sight is humbled by your goodness/graciousness". It could mean intimidation, but the use of genuflect is more for reverence and respect rather than fear or awkwardness.
Catch my catatonic character’s clandestine cravings.
Discern the persona's erratic personality and hidden desires. The /k/ sounds indicate unspoken passion.
Nurture the nestled nymph by nightfall,
The reference to the mythological creature, the nymph, connotes promiscuity or hypersexuality in the modern sense. But the more noticeable thing is the use of "nurture". My initial impression of this line was "bring up or develop the inner slut [of the persona]".
According to wikipedia, however, nymphs in the mythological sense are like muses of mother nature:
"Nymphs are personifications of the creative and fostering activities of nature, most often identified with the life-giving outflow of springs: as Walter Burkert (Burkert 1985:III.3.3) remarks,"The idea that rivers are gods and springs divine nymphs is deeply rooted not only in poetry but in belief and ritual." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymph) So if one nurtures a nymph, then it means raising and honing the creative skills of one person.
When the line ends "by nightfall", one can immediately infer that the nymph connotes the modern and derogatory term for a wanton person. And nurture the nymph may mean, "to tame the repressed sexual capacity" of the persona.
Elate the expunged empath with esoteric embraces.
The word empath is symmetrically in the center of the line. I had to google the word to find any references. It turns out that there's a Star Trek episode in 1968 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Empath) with the word in the title. Below extract describes what an empath is:
"[The empath] uses a mental power to absorb injuries, taking it on [him or her] and then dissipating [the wounds], healing [the injured] instantly." The persona likens him/herself to a shock absorber, a healer who must take in the lashes to save the victim.
So, my interpretation of this line is "comfort (if not to make happy) the outcast and injured soul with the attention and care of the admiree" (I could've said love, but love is universal, as opposed to the "esoteric" nature of caring and attention). A very special kind of love has become available to a few fortunate couples - the intimate and romantic kind which has trust, fidelity, and honesty as the perfect elements of a lasting relationship.
The second verse tells us that the persona believes in the saving power of love or a healthy relationship with someone. It doesn't state that the persona adores the admiree as a Messiah, but that there's redemption in loving someone and in being loved. As a by-product of this redemption, love tames the "nestled nymph" and contains or puts order, if not possibly heals, the "catatonic character" of the persona.
To be concluded...
In the first part, I wrote about my fascination to in somnis veritas VIII, a poem in a series of contemplations written by red the mod. The first verse tells us the persona's strong desire to welcome his admiree in his world. There's tension between the heart and the mind, and contention for complementation and reciprocation. The next verse supplements this belief with the hope on love as a powerful force of change and redemption.
Genuflect gustatory glimpses by your graces,
It's like the persona is saying "My eyes can't look directly at your beauty and elegance" or "My sight is humbled by your goodness/graciousness". It could mean intimidation, but the use of genuflect is more for reverence and respect rather than fear or awkwardness.
Catch my catatonic character’s clandestine cravings.
Discern the persona's erratic personality and hidden desires. The /k/ sounds indicate unspoken passion.
Nurture the nestled nymph by nightfall,
The reference to the mythological creature, the nymph, connotes promiscuity or hypersexuality in the modern sense. But the more noticeable thing is the use of "nurture". My initial impression of this line was "bring up or develop the inner slut [of the persona]".
According to wikipedia, however, nymphs in the mythological sense are like muses of mother nature:
"Nymphs are personifications of the creative and fostering activities of nature, most often identified with the life-giving outflow of springs: as Walter Burkert (Burkert 1985:III.3.3) remarks,"The idea that rivers are gods and springs divine nymphs is deeply rooted not only in poetry but in belief and ritual." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymph) So if one nurtures a nymph, then it means raising and honing the creative skills of one person.
When the line ends "by nightfall", one can immediately infer that the nymph connotes the modern and derogatory term for a wanton person. And nurture the nymph may mean, "to tame the repressed sexual capacity" of the persona.
Elate the expunged empath with esoteric embraces.
The word empath is symmetrically in the center of the line. I had to google the word to find any references. It turns out that there's a Star Trek episode in 1968 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Empath) with the word in the title. Below extract describes what an empath is:
"[The empath] uses a mental power to absorb injuries, taking it on [him or her] and then dissipating [the wounds], healing [the injured] instantly." The persona likens him/herself to a shock absorber, a healer who must take in the lashes to save the victim.
So, my interpretation of this line is "comfort (if not to make happy) the outcast and injured soul with the attention and care of the admiree" (I could've said love, but love is universal, as opposed to the "esoteric" nature of caring and attention). A very special kind of love has become available to a few fortunate couples - the intimate and romantic kind which has trust, fidelity, and honesty as the perfect elements of a lasting relationship.
The second verse tells us that the persona believes in the saving power of love or a healthy relationship with someone. It doesn't state that the persona adores the admiree as a Messiah, but that there's redemption in loving someone and in being loved. As a by-product of this redemption, love tames the "nestled nymph" and contains or puts order, if not possibly heals, the "catatonic character" of the persona.
To be concluded...
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Interpretations of in somnis veritas VIII by red the mod Part I
I had dreams of having sex with someone, and it looked so real, felt so real, that I was made to believe it was happening at that moment. Truth is, that time, I was longing so much for a great time in bed that my dreams started to reflect that desire. Some people say that dreams are the opposite of what's really going to happen, as the case of nightmares. Let's admit it, dreams make us wonder and contemplate on its meaning and nature.
Red wrote his contemplations to create an eighth installment of in somnis veritas. I personally got hooked on the author's use of alliteration and allusion in it. I have copied the original verse below with the permission of the author. I felt the strong emphasis of the author's feelings towards a person being admired, hence the alliteration. References to a creature in mythology and a prefecture of Greece suggest a factor of reminiscing - clear but sensuous.
Disclaimer: this piece of writing is not a criticism of Red's poem, but an appreciation of how his muse made him weave such a work of wonder.
In somnis veritas, in Latin, literally means "in dreams there is truth". Below paragraph describes how dreams can be connected to reality through the human psyche, but are still unfathomable:
"People have long been fascinated with dreams and determining their meaning. In the old days, dreams were considered to be important messages from the gods. Even today, dreams are thought to say something about the future or reveal desires and fears. This fascination with dream interpretation has given way to dream psychology, which attempts to examine the thoughts and behavior of individuals through dream analysis. Dreams still largely remain a mystery and our understanding of them is as muddled as our dreams themselves." - http://fresharticles.info/articles/psychology/dream-psychology-43.txt
In somnis veritas VIII is as abstract as a dream, hardly any concrete or solid object mentioned. But amazing how impenetrable it is at first reading, that when one tries to "translate" or interpret it, the meaning becomes more comprehensible. It is open to a lot of interpretations and can morph into different meanings according to a reader's perception.
Let me, at this point, make my own interpretations per line.
Allure the ardor against arresting apathy,
In my opinion, the persona is convincing his mind to oppose his emotions. Mind over feelings. It could also mean to drive one's knowledge to override his carelessness, probably of the world, of life, or of anything he doesn't care about. We're very familiar with the adage, "knowledge is power". But applied knowledge is true power. Knowledge, if not exercised properly, would not empower a person, and would not turn into wisdom. "Arresting apathy" is one factor for one's knowledge to remain stagnant and could become a disadvantage to one who doesn't apply knowledge in everyday living.
Fill my florid flailing by your fortitude.
My initial interpretation of this line is that the persona is letting the admiree complement his effeminate side with the admiree's masculine qualities (as the "fl" sound denote flambouyance, and the word fortitude expresses a manly quality of resisting temptations or hardships).
Lift languid laconia lucid and lecherous,
I translated it as: "Make my lifeless thrift in words scintillating, titillating." Or, it could mean: "turn my concise (boring?) way of life to be lively with a bit of sex in it." I like the reference of laconia in this line.
The word "laconic" is derived from the name of the region (in Greece) by analogy - to speak in a concise way, as the Spartans were reputed by the Athenians to do. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laconia)
Revising the rigid roster of my rubbored rantings.
The way I see it: "Transforming the list of his supposed complains in life, or changing the way he sees life".
The first verse can be understood as the persona's hope that his feelings would let the admiree change him for the better. Probably, (and please note the next portion is reading between the lines already) the persona has gone through much in the past that he doesn't care about relationships anymore. But someone must have swept him off his feet, and he realized that he can give this person a chance.
To be continued...
Red wrote his contemplations to create an eighth installment of in somnis veritas. I personally got hooked on the author's use of alliteration and allusion in it. I have copied the original verse below with the permission of the author. I felt the strong emphasis of the author's feelings towards a person being admired, hence the alliteration. References to a creature in mythology and a prefecture of Greece suggest a factor of reminiscing - clear but sensuous.
Disclaimer: this piece of writing is not a criticism of Red's poem, but an appreciation of how his muse made him weave such a work of wonder.
by red the mod
[Alliterati]
Allure the ardor against arresting apathy,
Fill my florid flailing by your fortitude.
Lift languid laconia lucid and lecherous,
Revising the rigid roster of my rubbored rantings.
Genuflect gustatory glimpses by your graces,
Catch my catatonic character’s clandestine cravings.
Nurture the nestled nymph by nightfall,
Elate the expunged empath with esoteric embraces.
Braid a barren bestiality with your behemoth brand,
Dancing deranged until dawn’s despotism.
Meander your mischief manhood morose,
Pleat this prolonged perturbance with pristine peace.
Sealing my serenity in solemn sensuality.
In somnis veritas, in Latin, literally means "in dreams there is truth". Below paragraph describes how dreams can be connected to reality through the human psyche, but are still unfathomable:
"People have long been fascinated with dreams and determining their meaning. In the old days, dreams were considered to be important messages from the gods. Even today, dreams are thought to say something about the future or reveal desires and fears. This fascination with dream interpretation has given way to dream psychology, which attempts to examine the thoughts and behavior of individuals through dream analysis. Dreams still largely remain a mystery and our understanding of them is as muddled as our dreams themselves." - http://fresharticles.info/articles/psychology/dream-psychology-43.txt
In somnis veritas VIII is as abstract as a dream, hardly any concrete or solid object mentioned. But amazing how impenetrable it is at first reading, that when one tries to "translate" or interpret it, the meaning becomes more comprehensible. It is open to a lot of interpretations and can morph into different meanings according to a reader's perception.
Let me, at this point, make my own interpretations per line.
Allure the ardor against arresting apathy,
In my opinion, the persona is convincing his mind to oppose his emotions. Mind over feelings. It could also mean to drive one's knowledge to override his carelessness, probably of the world, of life, or of anything he doesn't care about. We're very familiar with the adage, "knowledge is power". But applied knowledge is true power. Knowledge, if not exercised properly, would not empower a person, and would not turn into wisdom. "Arresting apathy" is one factor for one's knowledge to remain stagnant and could become a disadvantage to one who doesn't apply knowledge in everyday living.
Fill my florid flailing by your fortitude.
My initial interpretation of this line is that the persona is letting the admiree complement his effeminate side with the admiree's masculine qualities (as the "fl" sound denote flambouyance, and the word fortitude expresses a manly quality of resisting temptations or hardships).
Lift languid laconia lucid and lecherous,
I translated it as: "Make my lifeless thrift in words scintillating, titillating." Or, it could mean: "turn my concise (boring?) way of life to be lively with a bit of sex in it." I like the reference of laconia in this line.
The word "laconic" is derived from the name of the region (in Greece) by analogy - to speak in a concise way, as the Spartans were reputed by the Athenians to do. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laconia)
Revising the rigid roster of my rubbored rantings.
The way I see it: "Transforming the list of his supposed complains in life, or changing the way he sees life".
The first verse can be understood as the persona's hope that his feelings would let the admiree change him for the better. Probably, (and please note the next portion is reading between the lines already) the persona has gone through much in the past that he doesn't care about relationships anymore. But someone must have swept him off his feet, and he realized that he can give this person a chance.
To be continued...
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