Introduction
to Poetic Works . . .
Welcome to the introduction of "Poetic Works." Quite simply, we invite the interested reader to linger upon "The Odyssey of Heart" both as an original work of the site’s Author and as an example of the theme and tenor of poetics we wish to encourage from members who may submit contributions for this section. The interested contributor to Poetic Works may also consult the "Site Participation" introduction for further insight into the quality and discipline of our poetic traditions we wish to encourage here. "The Paradigm Shift" and "Perception" diagram and "Phoenix" of our "Religious Traditions" are original drawings of the site’s Author and serve as icons and trademarks of Being Quest.
The Odyssey is 64 pages long and the poems are sequential, reflecting a sweeping development of the soul as it is challenged to pursue its greatest ideals in the face of a world bent on conformity and intellectual abuse.
The work is essentially dramatic and is tuned to the ear for recitation. The poems are capable of standing alone by force of their emotional, aesthetic, and intellectual appeal, though together they represent an evolution as "passing one into each toward that they tend" (p. 42 sonnet). In this spirit, the work is careful to express the high drama of experience for the poet as well as literary excellence while actually wrestling with the selfish delusions of a materialistic civilization. The goal of the work is to accomplish a sympathetic unity of ambition, personal understanding, and sense for social justice in the character of the poet.
The Odyssey employs several Voices to accomplish the sense of existential struggle, which answer to the cry of the poet and alternate the poems in terms of delivery and form. With careful attention to the relationship between poetic form and meaning, The Odyssey actually pursues a certain inherent dynamism that would impress the careful reader with the actual experience of the poet, emotionally and intellectually, as the poet works through the tribulation, insights, and aspirations of the Heart.
The Voice scheme of The Odyssey is as follows.
Poet begins, followed by the spirit to whom the poet is directing awareness, e.g., "Blessed meekness, heart of saints and ever true to faithfulness of hope!" Certain stirrings then arise in the poet as a 'still small voice' and relative calm before the storm. Then, beginning on page 9, the poet offers certain confessions in a series of three sonnets, followed eagerly by the Demonic voice that chides the poet for his endurance: "You will not live to slay their sacred cows; though it be sin, prostrate I bid you bow!" (p.12 sonnet). The Demonic voice continues in its own right from page 13 to 28, reflecting the tyranny of the world’s systems of thought and privilege when on page 27 the Demonic voice begins to merge in synthesis with the poet to arrive at a better promise.
This synthesis is complete on page 33 where the poet begins another climb with one sonnet, afterward reflecting upon the demolition of misplaced confidence to, at last, encounter the Sacred voice: "This work, sublime in truth revealing trials, enlightens your way, O sojourn heart…" (p. 40 sonnet). The Sacred voice continues with a sonnet series from page 40 to 50 where there occurs a fairly sudden and exultant insight by the poet, affecting a kind of theophany. The poet closes out the series with three sonnets then sings three related songs, reflecting then again upon the work of The Odyssey in the verse with which it began. The breakdown of The Odyssey along these lines is conveniently indicated in the html. file containing the work.
It is the hope of this section of Poetic Works at Being Quest to encourage the more disciplined, literary traditions in this genre with an eye for the best affections in the heart of us all. The careful reader of The Odyssey of Heart will notice that there is place for the apparently sinister disposition in our experience, though always preceded and followed by certain corrections in light of our kindest aspirations. Our poetic works here will be primarily oriented to the evolution of our personality and the maturing of the best ideals of character in our traditions, always conscious of the goal of literary excellence and beauty which makes this genre so appealing. Shortcomings in this respect are always too evident, always expected in some measure, so we counsel a spirit of grace in the reader and hope for a continued discipline in those members who may wish to submit their own poetic works as a contribution to Being Quest.
The Original Draft of "Odyssey of Heart" is preserved here as published first August 28, 2001 with two mutually equivalent versions, revisions, most recently published below the original dated September 22, 2003. The first is the Form with Pages that the interested Critic or Seeker may reference; the other is stepped, one upon all, with no reference of Pages.