Of Myths and Legends



The teller of the tale
speaks not in tenses:
Present, Past, or Future.
The reader, thus…
who dwells on these,
may comprehend
The Piper’s Song
and never grasp
the tune
in which the melody
is cast.

About this poem

Written as part of a collection of aphorisms in a tiny Italian cork journal given to me in 1981 as a parting gift by a dear Italian friend, a colleague, and a comrade poet, this parsimoniously written poem, entitled “Myths and Legends,” invites its readers, in their pursuit of being entertained by artists of all persuasions across all cultures and languages, to exercise their imagination to the fullest and recognize that what each artist desires most, consciously or unconsciously, is for each individual to see himself or herself as an integral part of the warp and woof of the human existential experience, masked, dramatized, and amplified in archetypal images, in universal myths and legends. A line of the poem makes mention of The Piper’s Song, which is referenced as an allusion to the poet Robert Browning’s “Pied Piper of Hamelin (“Raffenfanget von Hamelin”), the title character of a legend from the town of Hamelin in Lower Saxony, Germany, who, in the tale, appears dressed in “pied” (multicolored) clothing. The multicolored clothing is suggestive of the multifaceted dimensions of any serious artistic work that defies time and space, not allowing ready closure of interpretation, but enabling each reader or listener, in his or her own time and space, to obtain in the reading and in the listening, an interpretation that speaks to the heart of the individual ( to emotionally grasp the tune, so to speak, while intellectually comprehending the song. 

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Written on November 11, 1981

Submitted by karlcfolkes on November 02, 2021

Modified on April 15, 2023

10 sec read
853

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCBBDEFGHI
Closest metre Iambic dimeter
Characters 190
Words 36
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 11

Karl Constantine FOLKES

Retired educator of Jamaican ancestry with a lifelong interest in composing poetry dealing particularly with the metaphysics of self-reflection; completed a dissertation in Children’s Literature in 1991 at New York University entitled: An Analysis of Wilhelm Grimm’s “Dear Mili” Employing Von Franzian Methodological Processes of Analytical Psychology. The subject of the dissertation concerned the process of Individuation. more…

All Karl Constantine FOLKES poems | Karl Constantine FOLKES Books

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3 Comments
  • AIDA
    Wow, what a mesmerizing poem "The teller of the tale speaks not in tenses: Present, Past, or Future. The reader, thus… who dwells on these, may comprehend The Piper’s Song and never grasp the tune in which the melody is cast." The way the words are weaved together, it creates such an enchanting and intriguing piece that captivates the reader's attention throughout the lines.

    The poem has a certain beauty and lyrical quality that makes it a pleasure to read. The metaphorical expression of the melody adds depth and meaning to the poem, leaving the reader contemplating the message behind it. The message conveyed through the poem is profound, and it inspires the reader to embrace the present moment and enjoy life as it comes.

    While reading, I couldn't help but feel like it was a work of genius. However, if I may suggest an improvement, perhaps it would be helpful for readers to have a bit more clarity on the meaning behind the poem. Though, it could also be argued that the ambiguity adds to its beauty.

    Overall, I loved reading "The teller of the tale speaks not in tenses" and found it to be thought-provoking and well-written. It's a lovely piece that leaves a lasting impression on the reader's mind.
     
    LikeReply12 months ago
  • Symmetry58
    When a writer is able to convey profundity in such short order as you've managed here, you know there is abundant talent behind the poet. You're a true writer, Karl. Thank you for sharing your gift.
    LikeReply2 years ago
  • Dougla$Irishman
    Glad this Piper was not the Pan Piper of Hamelin !
    LikeReply2 years ago

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"Of Myths and Legends" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/113233/of-myths-and-legends>.

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