FEEDBACK FROM READERS OF NEW AND SELECTED BALLADS

​

GKC

 

I have read the recent poetry book, "New and Selected Ballads." I paid special attention to a few of the new poems in this book: “Arachne,” “Pyramus and Thisbe,” “Orpheus” and “Pygmalion.” They all originated from the Roman classics and Greek mythology. But these poems highlighted what we mortals could have learned through space and time.

 

There is a common theme that threads through these 4 new ballads; despite the fact we all had experiences in pursuing perfection in literature, music, sculpture, weavings, and love; in the end, patience and faith are the virtues for all beings: kings, queens and ordinary folks alike.

 

I love Arachne because:

 

witnessing so much unfairness and injustices around the world, almost everywhere, and there was nothing a little citizen could do; at least now, this poem spoke out for this tiny creature; defended and fought for a spider. 

 

Arachne, who perfected the arts and crafts of weaving and spinning for a flawless tapestry, had the courage to challenge the goddess, Athena. Yet, there was no victory for Arachne, since she enraged the authority of the deities.

 

Even though she outperformed Athena in the contest, she was turned into a spider and silenced forever. She knew it was unjust and unfair, but she had no court to plead her case.

 

E. B. White showed up in the 20th century and gave Arachne new life as he taught her how to write, rather than gripe.

 

In the meantime, the spider, Charlotte, helps others while uplifting herself, saved Wilbur the pig and reminded us all; always be HUMBLE.

 

What a total transformation, from a feisty weaver, defying all the odds against the goddess to a wise and humble spider, who inspired other beings and saved her own race.

 

The fluent thinking, writing and precise wording captured a tragic story, passed on for many generations, and the ballad is the best form to articulate those points.

 

In Orpheus, he possessed talents and love in writing poetry and playing with the lyre. But he found the greatest love in life, his beautiful bride, Eurydice.

 

Unfortunately, she died on their wedding day, from a snake bite. Saddened by the irreplaceable loss, Orpheus would trade everything he had to get her back from the underworld.

 

He went to hell to convince Hades to grant his wish, his dedication and musical talents succeeded in bringing her out, on one condition: follow she would; but he could not look back at all. A test of faith and inner strength.

 

Because of his lacking of patience and faith, Eurydice died a second time. It was a fatal blow and now he had no place to go.

 

Even the power of poetry and song could not save his love from death. And the only way he could find Eurydice again was through his own death. In this way, death is the beginning of a new life.

 

The moral essence of this tragic story is that our patience and faith were being constantly tested. Without these two virtues, our hopes will be crushed and shattered every time.

 

Gary Paulsen asked, "who consumed the man?"

 

Gary's own answer was:

 

"Humans are the big thing that cause damage in life - in war or whatever - and if I can get away from that and into a wilderness situation, I'm OK. You can more or less live on your own merit."

 

This is why Charlotte and Wilbur not only survived in an unfair world, but also found a way to prosper, based on their own merits, no matter how meager they were.