Odrorir and the 18th charm

Originality what is thy face?

Hiding behind a mask, are you not but the same as all of us?

Striving in the play of life to be recognized and remembered

Putting on an act, to be something else

If too different, ridiculed and shunned

Too much the same, then ignored and forgotten

Ah, but this is a fine balancing act indeed

Let me take off the mask

Would I be accepted?

One could not look into the face of Medusa without turning to stone

Only by reflection can she be seen and defeated

Does man wish to become a god, but even then in human form?

Does not Odin himself go in disguise?

Is it our wish to become immortal?

To leave some part of us behind in the memories of time?

Are we not but passing sparks in Prometheus' fire?

Some great act to perform to be remembered

Oh but who to please?

Should, like Paris the baser desires be chosen, to steal what is not our own?

In our immediate need to please, do we not provoke a war beyond our scope?

Should we use deciet like Odysseus to obtain vicory and acceptance?

Or tis more noble to be true and rejected, awaiting approval by history?

No, the secret lies in Odysseus name “the son of pain”

It is out of our misery, the pain of rejection, that we are remembered

To be hung on a tree and pierced by a spear like Christ or Odin

Remembered as not only the superman but every man

The sacrifice of the common man

Ah, but too big a risk, I shudder

Safer to play the part and then be forgotten

Author's Note

Odrorir is the cauldron from which mead is drunk producing poetry. Odin drank from it and gave 18 charms, the 18th charm never being revealed

Reviews

[willweb]

Interesting note, I had no idea but I like what I read. As for your poem, it says a lot as far as I am concerned. Perhaps I need a mask or perhaps I already wear one but being remembered is something that I think about often. Though, not for any poetry I may write or songs I may compose...I would like to be remembered as a good guy, as someone who would help when another needed help, as someone who always tried to make another smile. Not sure this will happen but it is something I think about. Oh, sorry man, I went off on a tangent there. Your poem though, that is what it brought to me. Thanks for sharing.

[Soren]

Thank you Will. I think that this is often a neglected aspect of poetry, the tangents in thought that they often provoke. I'm so glad that it did this.

[DIVYA]

Dear Soren,
Everyone wants to be great but no one wants to risk being different and that is where originality suffers. We forget we are so fleeting in existence and this life is our one and only chance. The way you present your idea here is dramatic, breathtaking and this is your most mesmerizing work for me. My heartfelt compliments!

[Soren]

Thank you so much Divya such kind words from one I consider a master at the art in humbeling indeed. You are too gracious I think. I do value so much your comments.

[DIVYA]

This is certainly a poem to be proud of. Thank you for sharing such priceless literary references! They're just amazing to read and broaden my vista.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Originality is always a risk. Folks seem to like the same, more comfortable with what they know.

I was so grateful for the Beat poets. They took chances, they changed the face of poetry.
Expanded the scope.
Scope? Yes, we have to expand to find new horizons...
or we die stagnant.

[Soren]

Thank you Jacob I agree, people can only tolerate very little change and have difficulty with originality. Thanks so much for the review.