The Struggle For Life Commentary
©2009 Robert C Burnham (odd-numbered stanzas only) (even-numbered by Frigyes Karinthy)
1 Last night I discovered Frigyes Karinthy
As I lounged under full moon on the grass
Taken aback; when I learned a satirist was 'he'
For I at first, thought 'he' a lass
2 Brother it seems you have been beaten
As law decrees and precepts goes -
Your corpse is sniffed round by hyenas
And circled by the hungry crows.
3 I found him so Poe-ish I could not let go
The wolf I am dug in its nails
The blood around me like a fire's last glow
By his words was I turned pale
4 It's not the pack who were the strong
Smaller beasts beat you to tatters -
And who fights now over your carcass;
Jackdaw? Jackal? Hardly matters.
5 In the desert I placed my story
At sunset vultures filled the skies
Similar words encapsulating gory
I found, we agreed on the answer for when life dies
6 Your fist when it was time to use it
Always stopped halfway in the air -
Was it charity? Weakness? May be.
Fear? Pride? Modesty? I don't care.
7 But I stood there and fought with angels
No holding back upon my part
There's been those who've called me the devil
I wonder which one of us truly has heart?
8 Or, mere disgust, perhaps so be it.
Good. Amen. I accept the terms.
I prefer the worms should eat me
Rather than I should feed on worms.
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I have never read, or even heard of this Hungarian, Frigyes Karinthy until last night. His poem "Struggle For Life" seems so ominous, it warmed me so. I felt compelled to share it. With this unique presentation, you have already read it. Simply remove the inferior stanzas numbered 1, 3, 5 and 7 and you will have left, Mr. Karinthy's full poem.
Frigyes Karinthy (1887-1938) was a writer, humorist, satirist, playwright and poet. And one hell of a discovery!
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Comments: 31
Poe ish is the mood today;)
Again Night
I'm not sure, to tell you the truth, how I feel about this conjoined piece. Well crafted, I think, but I am not sure it works none the less. I do think I wouldn't mind seeing another attempt with more of his works, but I am not asking you to do it. You are either inspired to do so or you are not.
You have layers and layers to you.
Very nicely done ... a poem within a poem.
Seems I may have read him or heard of him before because the last stanza seemed familiar when I read it first time around. But I thought that couldn't be because Robert has just written this. Of course, I didn't read the fine print beforehand which would have told me you hadn't written that particular one.
Enjoyed it.
It is an interesting poem - both just his verses and yours combined. I never heard of him either and will have to investigate.
Good poem though, I must explore his work!
Thanks for posting to my group, Anythingwriting