A great poem. The image of a cellar filled with old bottles to be uncorked, knowing that the contents may be unpleasant - fantastic.
It certainly is a balancing act of delving inwards to know ourselves without becoming solipsistic. To know others and to know God also involves drawing our gaze from navel to outside ourselves.
I agree that it is a delicate balance - one of the risks of doing the Hard Work. We might become self obsessed and absorbed in the task for it's own sake (a la the dwarves as one commentor mentioned above) and not for the goal of fuller relationships with God and others. Which is why it shouldn't be undertaken lightly!
The king metaphor is modeled after Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel in the Old Testament; the story goes that he was in some respects a thoughtful man who begins to self-reflect on his pride and arrogance. In the end he does not continue in reflection and sticks to his prideful ways, as such being cursed by God to wander the wilderness like a dumb, mute beast until he finds humility. I am shifting the story for the poem here, as the poet fears being turned to a beast like the king, perhaps due to what he might find in his own self-reflection. Perhaps even ignoring the chance to reflect could be what turns him into the beast?
The coward's wage is simply what someone who is a coward gets paid. It may be different for everyone. I hope to not find out.
No one wants to wake the Balrog. You can go over the Misty Mountains instead, but they may be no easier. And after all, there may not be a Balrog within you, or you might not waken it... but if there is, you may have to be a Gandalf.
A great poem. The image of a cellar filled with old bottles to be uncorked, knowing that the contents may be unpleasant - fantastic.
It certainly is a balancing act of delving inwards to know ourselves without becoming solipsistic. To know others and to know God also involves drawing our gaze from navel to outside ourselves.
Thank you Mr. Kostas!
I agree that it is a delicate balance - one of the risks of doing the Hard Work. We might become self obsessed and absorbed in the task for it's own sake (a la the dwarves as one commentor mentioned above) and not for the goal of fuller relationships with God and others. Which is why it shouldn't be undertaken lightly!
What is the coward’s wage? Who was the king who was left mute and alone? I really liked the comparison of wine - that was vivid. All of it was vivid.
Another lovely compliment thank you Marjoram!
The king metaphor is modeled after Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel in the Old Testament; the story goes that he was in some respects a thoughtful man who begins to self-reflect on his pride and arrogance. In the end he does not continue in reflection and sticks to his prideful ways, as such being cursed by God to wander the wilderness like a dumb, mute beast until he finds humility. I am shifting the story for the poem here, as the poet fears being turned to a beast like the king, perhaps due to what he might find in his own self-reflection. Perhaps even ignoring the chance to reflect could be what turns him into the beast?
The coward's wage is simply what someone who is a coward gets paid. It may be different for everyone. I hope to not find out.
"You fear to go into those mines. The Dwarves delved too greedily and too deep. You know what they awoke in the darkness of Khazad-dûm."
Not always sure I want to wake the Balrog.
But you're probably right. Maybe.
No one wants to wake the Balrog. You can go over the Misty Mountains instead, but they may be no easier. And after all, there may not be a Balrog within you, or you might not waken it... but if there is, you may have to be a Gandalf.
Thanks! Glad it spoke to you - it's hard work but good work.