Transcendental Etude Poem by Robert Charles Howard
Transcendental Etude
Our footsteps echo through ancient halls,
where here is everywhere
and every time is now.
Caesar’s twin-edged conquests are our own
as is Brutus’s fickle knife
and Marc Anthony’s cunning speech.
Plague steals across our Europe
like a remorseless highwayman -
rosies all ringed and falling down.
We wait in Wien's Kärntnertor theater
for Schiller’s An die Freude
to shine anew in Beethoven’s score
and are ushered in at Menlo Park
where Edison's tungsten faintly glows.
Tomorrow will bring sun to the night.
There's Jonas Salk at his microscope.
One more test will crack the code
to banish the scourge of polio.
But nature’s caprice strews logs on our roads.
We are dashed by a Tsunami’s rage.
Katrina’s torrents have swallowed our homes.
Prides of warriors wade rivers of blood
and Darfur bullets tear into our chests.
Nuclear Toys ‘R Us shelves are full.
We are the heirs of triumph and infamy.
We hold the keys to tomorrow.
What have we done? What must we do?
December, 2006
This leaves me rather speechless, but I wanted to tell you its marching rhythm made a strong impression on me. Maybe I'm just so overwhelmed I can't answer the last questions. Who could?
Constructing a complexing work such as this...Not an easy task....You pull it off with great eloquence, & the necessary metering / rhythm you so definely employ...Superb Craftsmanship in every poetic principle, Robert HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I am humbled by your review of history and so poignant message which I heartedly embrace. I cannot pass without making a comment though: 'Caesar’s triumphs are our own'. I recently read about Caesar and how he killed thousands of Celts, wiping out tribes that opposed his marches across Gaul, other parts of Europe, and even into England. He brought those who were alive back as slaves together with whatever plunder he could muster to finance his ambitions and he had the patronage of the two richest men of Rome. He was ruthless. When and if we say Caesar's triumphs are our own, it cannot be in the best sense of what might be said. In some ways when we look at the present state of affairs and the behavior of human beings, we continue to say, There is nothing new under the sun. As you so expertly poecize, human beings continue their ways - both good and bad.
This is a brilliant poem, Robert. Your title is fascinating - I read 'etude' it in the musical sense of 'providing practice of a particular technical skill'. And what technical skills you have shown the reader in this profound and significant work, showing the very best and the very worst of our species. From the bliss of Beethoven's Ode to Joy to the shame of Dafur and the full shelves of 'Nuclear Toys R Us'. The transcendental nature of the first three lines underpins your words and the whole poem leaves the reader humbled. Glad I found this one. love, Allie xxxx
Very profound. Here we see through a glass darkly.. and perhaps this is just as well. Beautifully written, Robert. Warmest regards, Sandra
The human psyche is complex, indeed. We feel the need to create myriads of marvels while simultaneously struggling to suppress the urge to destroy that which we constructed in the first place. A species with a mammalian brain (the compassionate and nuturing aspect) sitting atop a reptilian (the territorial dominating) one is undoubtedly the cause for this affliction, if you will allow? GWG
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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5/25/2024 2:56:39 AM # 1.0.0.1119
Dear Robert, You have captured, and so very well, the essense of each of our truest callings. We are called to serve the whole of life, to make a difference. One, that even in our small ways that may give hope, peace and love to our neighbors, may they be mineral, planet, sky, sea, humans, dogs, the leaves we rake or the salamander that hides under them. A wonderful thought provoking write, Robert! Debora