Auroral Psychogenesis

In our searches for a new sense of success and beauty, we can sometimes forget the success and beauty we already have.

Auroral Psychogenesis

Trapped in our prosaic pondering

Of whether we should abandon Alchemy,

And acquiesce the gold we're dreaming

About is an extrasolar fantasy,

Forget so often we our own glittering beauty.

Aurora Borealis, Beloved Psychogenesis,

From sepulchral snow-dunes we all stare,

Awed by your billowing and brilliant flair,

But frostbitten by your glacial glare,

As you refuse to sink lower in the air

And warm this scalding chill choking our lungs.

For what reason do you choose to shun us

When we continue to cry out so much?

Can you not hear our souls freezing over,

Or do you just not care whatsoever?

Aurora Borealis, Beloved Psychogenesis,

We're searching for our Magnetic Norths

To generate s Saharan sense of worth,

And thaw this pernicious permafrost

That has left us feeling lorn, listless, and lost.

We shiver, shake, and blame our failures

On ourselves because we cannot endure

The fury of the benumbing blizzards

Conjured by life's Siberian maelstroms,

When we should just be proud of how far we've come.

(Why am I never good enough?)

This mercurial nightglow,

(Where is the ending that I've sought?)

Weeping carmine as it flows,

(I'm wandering without compass!)

Is empty, but not yet hollow!

(But I still refuse to give up!)

Aurora Borealis,

(I'll change the failure I've become)

You are your own Polaris,

(With the light of the Midnight Sun!)

Performing minuets with Morose Metamorphosis.

Prosaic - lacking poetic beauty, unromantic, commonplace

Acquiesce - accept something reluctantly but without protest

Extrasolar - Found or taking place outside the solar system

Psychogenesis - the psychological reason behind a mental illness or behavioral disturbance

Magnetic North - where the needle of a compass will point at default in response to Earth's magnetic field.  Is different from "True North" because Earth's magnetic field shifts over time

Sepulchral - gloom, dismal

Pernicious - having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way

Lorn - lonely and abandoned; forlorn

Benumbing - deprive of physical or emotional feeling

Mercurial - subjected to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind

Carmine - a vivid crimson color

Midnight Sun - the sun when seen at midnight during the Summer in either the Arctic or Antarctic Circle

Morose - sullen and ill-tempered

Author's Note

Man, it's been quite a while since I've written pure poetry, and I've sure missed it. I haven't had so much fun writing something in probably around five months! Also, I haven't put so much research time into a single piece for a very long time either (I did some research on Astrological meanings, vocabulary words, and other cultural meanings with many of the aspects of this piece). I was inspired to write this by my own, frequent frustration with myself for not succeeded in some are of my life. I tried my best to steer clear of 100% cliche territory, but I'm probably a bit rusty when it comes to originality at this point (hardly ever write these days and whatnot), so it is what it is. Anyway, tell me what you think, and don't be afraid to be honest (even if it's brutal honesty). The only way for a writer to continue to grow is through brutal honesty, and I want to continue to grow. Until next time! :)

Reviews

[barleygirl]

To be honest, I never spent any time pondering anything like this. I was more into full-on action, moving straight ahead, seizing whatever opportunities may come. But I have a cousin who is obsessed with such analysis & he's taken a ton of classes, written 20-pg essays that he always asks me to read (even tho he wouldn't change anything, he's so hellbent when he's on a manic tear). Your poem kinda reminds me of that . . . (my cousin has multiple doctorates from Stanford, so his writing is fairly stilted & analytical, with a smidgen of self-righteousness). I can see how someone with the background you describe in your author's notes would be highly stoked to craft a piece like this -- altho I must say that it's more for your own edification than it would be as a piece someone might read for entertainment or relaxation. The last questioning stanza is by far the best, becuz it feels like you've let go of your heavy-handed word-crafting & just let go on some gut-level stuff. I don't think the cerebral or the gut-level is better or worse. I'm just giving you an idea what reading this felt like. It's clearly your authentic style of writing & you have full command over the mechanics, so there's really no need to change anything *smile* Fondly, Margie

[DoormanDan]

You pretty much nailed it. Writing for me has always been a fun past time. I write my things how I want to write them, for my own enjoyment first, and then for other people's enjoyment. In this particular case, the questioning stanza is that way on purpose to fit the plot of this particular piece, so you're also right on the dot there. I know I'm probably never gonna be the next William Shakespeare with my writing (although that would be awesome), but even so, I'm still just here to have fun with the English language. Every word has it's own beauty (in any language), and I just like translating the combined beauty of those words onto paper. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts! :)

[Coyote Poetry]

My lord Dan. You open the door to a thousand questions with this poem. I had to read a few times. I did like it.
"We're searching for our Magnetic Norths
To generate s Saharan sense of worth,
And thaw this pernicious permafrost
That has left us feeling lorn, listless, and lost."
The above lines stood out to me. Men never feel content. Always want more and more. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[DoormanDan]

Your words flatter me, Coyote. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this multiple times ( I know that my style can be a bit hard to follow at times), and sharing your thoughts on it. I sincerely appreciate it. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

I liked the poem my friend and you are welcome.

[Stella Armour]

my friend... brutally honest, I think most people will not comment because your poem is too complicated with complicated words. Why not try again in simpler terms where we don't have to reach for the dictionary.

Said in good faith because I know your poetry is good, it just needs a bit of unravelling :)

[DoormanDan]

Ha, I can definitely understand that! :) I sincerely appreciate the honesty (there's not enough of it on this site), but (I'm trying my best to think of a way to say this without coming across as if I'm deflecting criticism, as this is not at all my intention) this is focal point of my primary writing style; experimentation with the most complex, bizarre, and fantastical sides of the English language in order to create equally complex, bizarre, and fantastical images. This isn't my only style, though. I do periodically write in other styles that aren't so alienating, as a writer does not necessarily need complexity to create awesome poetry, but this is, admittedly, my favorite flavor of writing. Everyone has their own, peculiar tastes, right? Once again, thank you so much for the honesty; I do see your point and agree with it. I hope you'll stick around for the next piece, as you may find it to be more your cup of tea. :)