Ataraxis

[Rahsash Geldich]

I've reached a state of tranquility

Where everything is okay.

Actually very little has changed,

And none of its gone away.

 

Its not like I don't care,

Its that I've learned to accept.

I can now roll with the punches,

With coping I am adept.

 

It's provided me serenity

In my times of want and need.

And the leash of anger lost,

I am more and easily freed.

 

Its not like I'm unfeeling,

For I have felt this before

Its more that all of my emotions

Can be under control more.

 

In this mental garden of Eden,

In times of anger, I reside.

And, should I ever need it,

Its a wonderful place to hide.

 

You may call it whatever you want

Karma, Zen, perhaps peace of mind

But you willbe better much better off

Once this semi-ataraxis you find

[Nyyark]

I just can't seem to stay away from the fruit....

 

This flowed so well that I didn't notice the poem, and only got a hunk of meaning, and a flood of memories. You can definatley take that as a compliment.

[Rahsash Geldich]

Hmm, the essay sounds like a collision between this poem and 'Tracks'. Its not so much about retreating, its about accepting and not worring about the small things that we tend to fuss far too much over.

[Guest Xradion]

        Nice job! I don't know if you are familiar with the contemporary philosopher/historian Isaiah Berlin, but parts of this very much remind me of an essay of his I recently read. Basically, the essay is about different definitions of freedom. At one point in the essay, he talks about "the retreat to the inner citadel," and "...The self-emancipation... [of men and women] who have fled the world, and escaped the yoke of society or public opinion, by some process of deliberate self-transformation that enables them to care no longer for any of its values, to remain, isolated and independent, on its edges, no longer vulnerable to

 

its weapons." However, he views this in a very negative light, arguing (I think very correctly) that this is not at all true freedom, and that by carrying the idea of this denial of the non-essential and of retreat into the inner citadel to its fullest extent, we in essence commit suicide. "If I go too far, contract myself into too small a space, I shall suffocate and die. The logical culmination of the process of destroying everything through which I can possibly be wounded is suicide."

 

        I only bring this up because I think that while retreating inward may at times a necessary means to overcome a temporary obstacle, one must be cautious of retreating inward too far. Accepting abuse by this method rather than attempting to put an end to the abuse by fighting back against the oppressor will almost invariably lead to gradual self destruction. Well, that's my opinion anyway. Sorry to get sidetracked. Nice poem. I really enjoyed it. Also liked the title. Keep up the good work. 'Nough said for now.

 

 

 

 

Xradion,

The Horny Druid,

Scholar of the Ancient Arts,

Holder of the Eye of Odin.

 

"The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream."

-Wallace Stevens

 

"When at home, do as the Homans do." –Xradion

 

 

 

Edited by: Xradion at: 6/7/02 12:48:24 am