by William Dotani
Member since:
October 27, 2006

Essential To Tussel

December 06, 2008 12:41 PM EST
views: 103 | rating: 9.2/10 (22 votes) | comments: 37

There is a pulse, a rhythm, a need to control
Various thoughts taken on and off hold
For flowers still bloom in grace and style
A snowflake, a tear, so many many miles
Stepping toward an evening sun, so impressed
With beauty and pathos, in life's breath

Park bench, thick green weather beater paint
How many secret conversations, love and rain
A power beyond us, book of records, yes sir
Impress this into child, with good or bad stickers
And at the end of the day, drift, drift away
Flotsam in rivers, touch the sky and pray

Bob Dylan sure wasn't kidding, about change
Toaster, multi- functional, culture honors fame
Founding Fathers honored hard work, but, but
Code of the land was put up or shut up, observed
One hundred eighty degrees the transition, absurd
Is this really civilized or hedonism, busy at work

Another generation has defaced another tree
Harry loves Sally, or just initials carved in deep
Many have entangled and separated, something said
Something read or maybe an ad during a TV special
Essential to tussle, bustle, saying hello and goodbye
No need to throw the blanket on diminished fire

History devotes many chapters, mistake copies mistake
Media fueled animal, minds to negatively integrate
Mods and the Rockers, modern society perfects so well
Ha! Ha! Number one TV show, The Who song, it sells
The holidays, words of peace, then a crunching sport
Childhood dreams, change, traditions and apple cores      
  

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Comments: 37

Donald M. Dec 6, 2008, 12:53pm EST
Childhood dreams changeOur world will never be like it was again, when our forefathers worked with blood , sweat, and tears to make this a great land full of dreams.
Peter Joseph Swanson Dec 6, 2008, 1:00pm EST
Another great poem with punch (and bittersweet memory)
John F Walter Dec 6, 2008, 1:14pm EST
I think you´ve really developed several poetic styles on Gather, William, some much more difficult (and rewarding) to decipher than others, but this breezy songwriter voice in you that charts the signs o´ the times over decades of cultural shift is certainly one of the most distinguished and original.

This is a fascinating poem song, which rewards the reader best if he or she reads it aloud for its rapid fire cadences that seize on flutters of thought and reflect on the changes America has wrought as it has morphed from a land of puritans and Enlightenment founding fathers into a mass culture of myriad subcultures, devoted to the almighty dollar.

I urge other readers to actually try to find a tune in their heads to sing this paean out loud, and listen to the sighs and the whispers that Dotani gives us in a heady mix of nostalgia and remorse.
William Dotani Dec 6, 2008, 1:56pm EST
John, I'm under the influence..., of other poets. I appreciate your comment.
John F Walter Dec 6, 2008, 2:13pm EST
Whoever gave you a dire rating can bite me, Bill. I came back to read a possible comment you might have written about mine and saw that some payaso had to lowball you to make themselves feel better. I know that the numbers game is a joke nowadays, but I too suffered from the slings and arrows of chumps who drop 1s for a long time on Gather. I don´t care anymore. However, I do throw down my own 10 just to affirm your explicit status as one of Gather´s finest poets and writers.

Take care, Bill. I´m going to try to be on Gather a bit more the next few weeks as well as on the pre-Simulationist blog. I look forward to reading a few of your past posts and the ones to come.

By the way, you are the LAST person I could ever imagine wearing a Dubya T Shirt.
Cheryl W. Dec 6, 2008, 2:14pm EST
Beautiful poem, William. I really enjoy your writing.
Elsie Duggan Dec 6, 2008, 2:23pm EST
Wonderful writing, John Walter said it all for all of us, you just keep getting better.
Wade A. Dec 6, 2008, 2:25pm EST
Wonderful! This has a rhythmic, melodious tone that dances off the tongue while pondering days gone by. I feel like I just relived my past in your complex styling of words. Enjoyable as always!.
William Dotani Dec 6, 2008, 2:50pm EST
My son gave me a Dubya T-shirt that has him wearing horns and captioned 'The Devil.'
William Dotani Dec 6, 2008, 3:05pm EST
The db rater(s) want you to get upset. I find it rather Zen and fulfilling.
JOHN BECK Dec 6, 2008, 3:48pm EST
Excellent as we have become accustomed to expect, Bill. I guess I'm not very modern. Barbara and I have been married for 44 years.
Marge H. Dec 6, 2008, 5:02pm EST
Another awesome poem by one of my favorite wordcrafters. I just love John W's insightful comments too.

Russ and I have been married 40 years today.
Kay M. Dec 6, 2008, 7:52pm EST
I agree with John Walters about reading your poem aloud. I have found quite a few of your poems are even more enjoyable when read out loud so that I appreciate the lyrical quality of them.
Donna C. Dec 6, 2008, 8:33pm EST
Very nice, William.
You get a 10 from me too.
Bhawana 'Gather Proud Mom' Dec 6, 2008, 10:23pm EST
You left me speechless, as usual...
Linda T. Dec 7, 2008, 12:57am EST
Wonderful work William
Lisa Frost Dec 7, 2008, 1:23am EST
awesome capture of past and present woven together to present a thoughtful view through time. You have always been a wonderful tour guide of thought.
Minakshi w. Dec 7, 2008, 9:33am EST
William, I think you wanted to tell us that there are better things to focus on, beauty still graces this world, but we have lost the sensitivity to appreciate it. The mention of an on-the-move, uncaring generation seems haunting. And yes, the media-fed animal of negativity is a huge monster for us to deal with.
Your very 'aware' voice speaks to us, to keep alive the things and values our ancestors left for us.
Janet Somewhere Up On The Mount Dec 7, 2008, 10:06am EST
Very nice poem William.
Hope all is well with you these days. Long time no see.
Svetlana Goryacheva Dec 7, 2008, 12:55pm EST
I'm in full agreement with John Walter's thoughtful comment - you're a born songwriter, dear William, one of the best on Gather, with an unique style of your own. I'm almost 40 by now... quite old for a Russian woman, yeah, no joke... I wonder what the people would say when I'm getting 80. ;-)

As for the T-shirt - ;-)))))))))) (Best ROFL Of The Day!)

Hugs and blessings - S.
The times are a'changin' ... hopefully, for the better.
Deloris Wright Dec 7, 2008, 7:32pm EST
V ery Nice William
elizabeth e. Dec 7, 2008, 8:28pm EST
Seekin' words of wisdom, let it be, let it be.
Kelly M. Dec 8, 2008, 12:47am EST
Thanks for paying it forward to me!
Elsie Duggan Dec 8, 2008, 1:47am EST
Read it again and love it, goodnight William, take care of yourself, don't be shoveling snow.
William Dotani Dec 8, 2008, 2:52am EST
No way will I shovel.
Trish A. Dec 8, 2008, 10:30am EST
I'm fascinated by the variety of images you share in this poem. The suggestion to read it aloud is much appreciated. Fine work once again William.
ann c. Dec 8, 2008, 11:58am EST
I'm still waiting for you to publish a book of poetry. I don't always "get" your poems but I always enjoy them!!!
William Dotani Dec 8, 2008, 12:15pm EST
Ann, it is in progress.
ann c. Dec 8, 2008, 12:17pm EST
Yay, William!!!! I'm looking foward to it!!!
Donald M. Dec 8, 2008, 12:50pm EST
Do you write when you are taking the Vicoden or wait until you have a clear head?
Donald M. Dec 8, 2008, 12:54pm EST
I am proud of you for not having to drive to Ohio for smokes anymore. That takes courage. It is very hard to stop and I think worse than the other drugs the kids do as far as getting the wanting from your head . Sometimes just putting one between your fingers and walking around with it helps.
Tracy Fabre Dec 9, 2008, 10:28pm EST
"mistake copies mistake" -- you said it, boy-o. I like.
Barbary Chaapel Dec 10, 2008, 1:44am EST
As always your flowing thoughts are a source of fascination and comfort.
Michelle W. Dec 29, 2008, 9:47am EST
As always, a wonderful race of images and rhythms ... and pure joy to read!

Thanks for posting in Journey Into Poetry !
Wilma M. Jan 14, 2009, 4:23pm EST
It has taken me a long time to get here but better late then never. (Didn't someone say that?)

It HAS been a 180 degree transition from the times of our Founding Fathers, hasn't it? Hopefully, we can get back to the original vision.

I always enjoy reading John F Walter's insightful comments, too.

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