An Apocalyptic's Prayer

This poem was inspired by several encounters and conversations I've had recently with people (both religious and secular) who expressed an intense and fervent desire for apocalypse. It's a perspective that i understand (I'm sure most of us have been in a position at some point where despair, anger and/or disappointment have brought us to the brink of entirely casting away concern), but not one that I endorse. This was an attempt to explore and express the position through poetry. Hope that you enjoy.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• poetry
• expression
• creativity
• writing
• freedom of speech
• censorship
• apocalypse
• collapse
• society
• humanity
• culture
• book burning
• heaven hell
• paradise
• revelation

[nomyek200]

Hmm, I really like this speech.

I'm making a song inspired by Godspeed You Black Emperors "The Dead Flag Blues". A kind of apocalyptic epic, hopefully around 10 minutes long, and I was hoping to get my hands on an apocalyptic inspired poem to be used as a sample in the song, and i was wondering if I could use this in that song? If thats ok with you.

[mmgje]

Interesting once again. Liked it. C u soon love Michelle :-) xx

[ExaggeratedElegy]

...they've always been, Megatron (and the Joker) wish to upset the status quo, challenge it and open it up to dissection. In that regard, they could be said to represent the evolution of society, culture and ideology in a manner that their more staid counterparts do not.

And now I'm rambling :)

Many thanks for the food for thought!

George

[ExaggeratedElegy]

...or lack significance for reality; rather that they function as all fiction does; as a distorted mirror of reality that might reflect certain aspects or facets thereof that we would otherwise not wish or lack the means to consider. Megatron is another prime example, and in many respects is more "heroic" than Prime could ever dream of being, owing to the fact that he represents the dissatisfied and disenfranchised of Cybertronian society. Whereas Prime (and Batman) wish for things to stay as...

[ExaggeratedElegy]

...as a vehicle for questioning and criticising certain socio-cultural/ideological norms, or even in a more "Tyler Durden-esque" fashion in the demolishment and re-building of one's sense of self. Were someone such as The Joker to exist in reality, they would certainly not be heroic in any fashion, owing simply to the fact that their actions would have direct and quantifiable consequence upon real lives. That is not to say that the perspectives or philosophies they represent are meaningless...

[ExaggeratedElegy]

post-modern "civilised" humanity. i.e. the often sub-conscious acknowledgement that civilisation and its various components are constructs that can be set aside, demolished, etc. In that reard, he represents the abandonment of consequence; an ultimate form of freedom that is at once attractive and repelent. That said, I think it imperative to point out that the Joker's appeal (and those of similar characters) functions exclusively in the arena of metaphor; i.e. as an idea that might be used...

[ExaggeratedElegy]

..., inspiration and humanity the species exhibits on a daily basis. That said, I understand the inclination towards apocalypse; I do think that, along with the abandonment of hope for our species/civilisation etc, there is also an aesthetic pre-occupation with destruction manifested and expressed in fiction such as The Dark Knight, Independence Day, etc etc. The Joker is eminently more fascinating and attractive (heroic, in a fashion) because he represents a particular taboo extremity of...

[ExaggeratedElegy]

Hello again Richard, I agree; one of the elements I find most fascinating (not to mention wonderful) about our species is our complexity and ambiguity; it is also one the many reasons why I tend to disagree with nihilistic or apocalyptic perspectives/philosophies. They tend to revolve around the preconception that humanity is iredeemable in some fundamental sense, focussing exclusively on the negative and destructive whilst simultaneously denying or turning a blind eye to the beauty...

[ExaggeratedElegy]

Hey Dave,

Thank you. I'm actually working on a collection of short stories at present that I hope to get published, but after the positive feedback that my poetry has recieved, I think I might try and get some of that into circulation too :)

Many thanks indeed for the encouragement.

George

[KalelPrime]

Once again sir very well done. You ever thought of trying to publish some of your stuff?