Once we thought
a golden chariot brought
the sun to move around the earth,
once we saw only what could be seen—
except the spirits in-between
here and there, birthed
in our imaginations,
as we created causation
to explain our earth.
Once, did dragons breath fire
until they were forced to retire?
Any theory can be brought forth
for haters and deniers,
but crisscross the wires,
spread kindness and mirth.
My theory this—
not to be dismissed
through rotations of the earth–
believe in facts, the real,
but sense earth’s magic, the ideal.
This poem is for my theory prompt on dVerse. Join us in poetic theorizing!
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
There is always room for some magic… but the biggest unknown is always in our own mind isn’t it?
Yes, that’s true. Though I think some don’t see the magic either.
Ah, the magic in the world is what amazes me.
Thank you! It would be sad not to see it.
DRAGON HEART
So still she lies, as if some shell abandoned, blear-eyed from sleep
Shipwrecked, abandoned to some soggy dotage caked in mire
Be not deceived, imagining vacuum where once was fire
Thoughts and feelings spark yet, drift dreamily, aimless, ancient, deep
Take heed, both wise and foolish souls; fair warning: t’is best to creep
Past lightly, with harnessed breath; waken not the dragon’s ire
No less than fearsome monster, prone to bouts of fey desire
Exceeding duties as guardian, this dragon now feeds on sheep
Protection for that heart of mine once long ago rudely spoiled
That dragon, turned to basilisk, has festered and gone awry
Too far too many empty nights left red-eyed the dragonfly
Wound itself tighter and tighter till inextricably coiled
A dusty heirloom, tucked away, out of sight, a feathered wing
This fragile heart, free from defence, defiant, still dares to sing
Oh, that last line, Ben–glorious! And if my poem inspired you and this, then thank you very much.
Do you want to add this to the dVerse link?
Actually this is a sonnet I composed in 2014. I hadn’t thought about for a while but reading your poem brought it to mind and I thought you might enjoy reading it. 🙂
I did! Thank you! 🙂
🙂
P.S. Thanks for the compliment. 🙂
You’re welcome. Thank you for sharing the sonnet!
🙂
I love your ending. To hold that balance is the secret, I think.
Thank you very much, Sarah. I agree about holding that balance.
This is beautiful, Merril.
Thank you very much, Jill!
So much conjecture because we are not satisfied with simple answers—what we see is what was intended to be and that should be wonderful enough.
You mean we shouldn’t question anything? We shouldn’t seek knowledge?
There’s the search for knowledge which increases our awe and respect for the natural world, and there are the complicated constructs of supernatural ‘faith’ that place us at the centre of the universe. The search for knowledge is exactly what the inventors of a supernatural reason for everything forbade.
Oh, yes, I agree with that. I thought you were saying the opposite. 🙂
I probably said it in a muddled way 🙂 I’m off to bed right away 🙂
Sweet dreams! 🙂
Thank you! They were, for a change 🙂
Yay! 🙂
Kindness and mirth, my creed, Merril.
Yes, it is, Marian. I know from experience. 🙂
Aka a balanced point of view. Nice, Merril.
Thank you, Jade.
You are welcome.
Wow, your last two lines are precisely what knots me into a quandary. If we look at the facts, the human race is a frightened, greedy, warring lot. But my spirit wants to believe in magic. That is why I write poetry, and read and watch fantasy adventure and science fiction. I am glad I am old. I won’t be caught much longer in this contradiction called life. This was a stimulating write MERRIL…
I’m so glad you found it stimulating, Rob. Yes, we are all that–and yet, we write poetry, music, paint. . . there’s a lot of contradiction.
A beautiful articulation of our ever-theorizing. I think we shared a wavelength tonight, Merril! 🙂
Thank you, Frank! Yes, I think so.
Interesting to hold the tension between testable reality and the magical meaning of stories and entertainment.
Thank you, yes.
Well, that’s just right. And is that Redon? (K)
Thank you, Kerfe.
Oh, I guess I forgot the caption–yes, Redon. 🙂
Love it Merril. I think dragons are still with us, just hiding behind the sofa
Thank you, Walter.
Oh–is that what those burn marks are from? 🙂
I love your ending! yes there is a lot of magical to believe if we choose!
Thank you, Dwight!
What a great ending.
believe in facts, the real,
but sense earth’s magic, the ideal.
A beautiful balance.
Thank you very much, Ali!
I love that you went back to the beginning, Merril, to mythology, reminded us of the magic, and summed it up in the final beautiful rhyming couplet. The rhyme scheme is very effective, especially:
‘… haters and deniers,
but crisscross the wires,
spread kindness and mirth.’
Thank you so much, Kim!
That last line emphases that we cannot explain everything
True, Derrick. Thank you.
dragons, chariots – when we knew no better our ideas were magical and I love how you describe them (and you rhymed!) and at the end you turn again to imagination
Thanks so much, Laura. I’m pleased you liked it!
There’s a lot of magic to be experienced and dreamt about–and things our limited senses can not really take in, but I trust science and facts.
I love this because what I’m sensing between the lines. That is, the fantasy being those who ignore information in favor of a belief … much like multiple aspects of our society today.
Yes, exactly Frank. And I just read your post, so we were on the same wavelength. 🙂
Cheers to more synchronicity. Clink!
🙂
Believe in facts and sense the magic! Yes
Thank you! 🙂
Magic is what makes life more interesting and worth living on a day to day basis. And your poem just says it all..
Thank you very much!
Beautiful sentiments, Merril.
Thank you, Ken.
Lovely meditation – and it goes so well with the poem from the prompt – an astronomer poet. How do we live in a scientific age? Not forgetting the magic.
Thank you very much. I’m pleased you enjoyed both the prompt and my poem!
LOVE this idea of getting at the facts and the truths….and still allowing ourselves to believe in the magical!
Thanks so much, Lillian!