To change or to be changed; that’s the difference
between the noblest art of suffering
or to sling the arrows for your future.
It’s either to take arms against the troubles
and by opposing end them, or to die
while fighting windmills of deception
or to build you ship and be the captain
to change, decide or be utterly destroyed.
Skull by Albrecht Dürer
Today Paul hosts at dVerse and we write about change. A very quick pastiche on Hamlet’s famous soliloquy
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November 28, 2017
I would rather be the captain of course, but there are some changes that sweeps us, like arrows ~ We have to change, or be changed ~
Such a thought provoking poem Bjorn that ponders the deeper meaning of change and it’s variety of form.
Nice one, Bjorn!
Shakespeare, is nodding yes, your tribute, your poetics shine, both on their own, and through the miasma of classic drams; nice job, brother.
We cannot change what changes us, only how we respond to these changes and yes, ‘build your ship and be the captain to change’ is the most appealing path :o)
Indeed. We can only control how we respond to change, either as the captain of it or as the crew. I’d rather be the captain! the tribute to Shakespeare is remarkable.
“Sling the arrows of your future” is a cool turn of phrase. I googled it to see if it was original. Ha. Point the arrow yourself. Change is inevitable. We accept it, or we choose it before it chooses for us.
There is no neutral, or luke warm, you have to choose. Not choosing is a choice as well. And fate will be chosen for you.
Ah! In addition to Hamlet, I see a nod to a grand ‘Don’ as well. Do love allusion. This is well crafted, Bjorn.
Indeed… there is a Spaniard hidden there as well.
And changed utterly. You could have had another allusion there 🙂
Change presents a challenge here…one must choose.
You got me wanting to re-read Hamlet again, there’s nothing like those familiar words yet they never lose their impact for me.
Unfortunately, our ships hit high seas from time to time, and we have to change course. Loved your poetic wizardry!
Bjorn way to spin the words! Change or be changed eventually. C’est magnifique! (I think my French spelling may be terreeeblay)
Dead ends! (I saw that elsewhere on your blog) Your poem led me to a favorite blues song, “Ain’t But One Way Out.” Too much truth; masterfully written.
I think this applies to pain and suffering as well! Choose to live above the pain or suffer in its wake!
Very interesting,
Dwight
Some stark choices here – but when you put it like that – what else can we do but change. Very nice.
I appreciate this, perhaps it’s my reading, but there is a tone of snark, slight sarcasm, almost like a mocking laugh at the human folly of digging in and stubbornly clinging to all we know, fearful – and how so often, in the end, by whatever forces and means, we realize, later, after the high drama and calming of emotions, how much better off we are. Great and fun piece.
“To change or be changed” I like it.
I tend to take the Daoist ‘wuwei’ approach to things, but your ‘author of your own fate’ stance will inspire many with the vigor and vitality to sling their arrows. The fight against the windmill of deception makes it seem like the decision to do so is an absurd one, because the deceptions will always come, so long as the wind blows.
A lot of decisions and we all make them, even by not making them.
You’ve made some clichés very fresh in this piece.
There is a lot of wisdom in this … and I love how you’ve pinned it to a Shakespearean vibe. Very cool and clever.