A Short History

Isobel · Post by **Isobel** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 8:02 am

A Short History of Our Times

The Devil's Horsemen
The Pursuit of Power
Like Lions They Fought
The End of Order
Not War But Murder
The Harvest of Sorrow
The Hour of Our Death
The High Walls of Jerusalem
In the Presence of the Creator
Reflections on a Ravaged Century

Robert · Post by **Robert** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 5:45 pm

Isobel,
Powerful and provocative...Your use of these resonant brief phrases to capture the essence of the 20th Century really caught me. I am impressed and agree with you in your interpretation of our times.

You could actually write a poem for each of your lines, then write another...but isn't that what art (and knowledge) is anyway, a work based on a line from another's poem.

Thanks for you your ideas. Good work.

Iubita · Post by **Iubita** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 5:58 pm

Hi Isobel,

Welcome to the Forum!...I love your Poem and Style...
let's build our House of Poetry based on some old bricks... as Robert has said... and new Magical World...

Iubita

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Sun Jul 13, 2003 4:09 am

Welcome to the Forum, Isobel

. Great entrance! And is that photo you?

Vesuvius · Post by **Vesuvius** » Sun Jul 13, 2003 5:40 am

Ciao Bella Isobel,

You are my kind of poet! Puuuuurrrrrrr!

Vesuvius

tom.d.stiller · Post by **tom.d.stiller** » Sun Jul 13, 2003 7:53 am

Hello Isobel -

Welcome to the forum. Each of your poem's lines was to me like the headline (title) of another poem to come...

Thank you for sharing this one with us, and let us hope you share more in the future.

Tom

PS: Allow me to echo Elizabeth's question...

Byron · Post by **Byron** » Sun Jul 13, 2003 3:21 pm

Isobel. Thank you for your opening piece. I echo the view that each line can mark the start of another poetical journey. I find that the thread, which runs through your words, represents an eternal truth about mankind. There has never been a century when all of your lines have not been a record of the passing of the years. We must strive to open each others' eyes, to remind ourselves, (and others) that lasting peace is a goal, not yet achieved. This forum is a welcome medium for expressing our hopes and desires for the wider world we all live in, which we must learn to share and cherish. Byron 'sends his regards'.

Coco · Post by **Coco** » Sun Jul 13, 2003 3:33 pm

Hi Isobel,

True words said with passion. My feeble words can only echo the sentiments of Byron, tom.d.stiller, Iubita, Robert and Lizzytysh. I hope you continue to write and I welcome you to this board.

(And pay no attention to Vesuvius)

Byron · Post by **Byron** » Sun Jul 13, 2003 3:41 pm

Isobel. I have given much more thought to your piece. Some of us agree that each line could be the opening for yet another literary offering. With that thought in mind I decided to have a rumage through a very well known book collection. I must say that I was surprised to find that each separate line of your offering to us, is actually the title of several books written by several authors. I stopped counting when I reached 400. Some may call me old fashioned, but my eyesight has become quite 'jaundiced' over the years. As an old puritan minister said to a burglar he discovered in his home, "I mean thee no harm brother, but thou art standing where I am about to shoot my gun!". Byron continues to 'send his regards' to whoever you are. A bibliography would be most welcome.

Isobel · Post by **Isobel** » Sun Jul 13, 2003 4:18 pm

Thank you for the welcome to the Message Board,

I am not a poet but I do love poetry, and have been impressed with the writings of the members here. It is extremely perceptive of those who responded to my "List/poem" that you recognized the intent of what I was trying (perhaps inadequately) to say. I cast about in my mind a different way to express what I consider to be the devastating world we now live in. Hence the "Short History of Our Times". I knew that these were very recognizable book titles and would be understood as such. And as a scathing commentary on our times. Byron, I hope you don't shoot me.

Isobel

Lizzytysh, a friend of mine who is an expert in computer science suggested I use my picture, it has the correct amount of "pixels" or something to fit in the space provided.

Byron · Post by **Byron** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 12:18 am

Cough, cough, ahem, erm, excuse me once again, but I think you'll find that the title is a literary offering from elsewhere as well. I do hope I haven't upset anybody. Byron still continues to 'send his regards'. Perhaps I'm just an old cynic. I'll go and have my evening 'horlicks'.

Our British brethren will be aware of the new usage for that word.

Isobel · Post by **Isobel** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 6:54 am

Byron,

Of course the title A Short History of Our Times is a "literary offering from elsewhere". That's the whole point. Everyone else got it.

Please, remain an old cynic.
Isobel

Byron · Post by **Byron** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 1:59 pm

Isobel. Who is everyone else? This forum receives many visits from people who just happen to look in to see what it is about. I have no problem with you giving all of us a piece of poetry. I enjoyed the essence of its raison d'etre. I merely wish to quietly raise the point in a typically British understatement, that when one uses the published literary works of other writers, one publicly acknowledges the sources of one's writing. Hence my gentle reference to not wanting to upset anybody. To writers and scholars of literature, it is sometimes obvious when a piece of work has been borrowed. To the general public, this is not the case. I note that you have been reading the work in the forum for a while and will therefore have seen that

quotes

are often used. May I refer you to my own posting in which I quoted at length, from the work of Ira B. Nadel. (Even giving page numbers for others to find and read for themselves in context)
Your use of building a piece about the last century, by creating a strong literary imagery from 20th Century publications, is unusual in the forum but not unheard of elsewhere. I have no wish to upset anyone when I point out accepted literary practice. We all learn new things every day and believe me when I say that I am the first to acknowledge that. Byron 'sends his regards'.

Paula · Post by **Paula** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 9:42 pm

Welcome to the board Isobel.

If that is your photo and you haven't "borrowed" it from someone else I have to say you are extremely beautiful. But I suspect you already know that otherwise you wouldn't have posted it.

I mean if you look like Worzel Gummidge you don't advertise the fact do you.

Bryon is right in what he says there are some Dumbos on the board it is a good idea to credit the original author or put quotes. I can say there are some Dumbos on the the board with impunity as I am one of them.

Heretic · Post by **Heretic** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 10:40 pm

I knew that picture of Paula reminded me of someone.......