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The beginning quote is by an Australian Poet Judith Wright. It describes an alchemist to perfection.
Don't look up 'twaberment' because it is a word I invented that came to me in a dream. It means the total sum of knowledge some one gains to arrive at a theory.
Summary of objectives for the poem:
Observer addressing all humankind
The study of magic
Past tense
Observing the reaction of all the people to the mysterious equipment and to the motives of the conjurer for invocating mysterious powers and intrigue
Free verse with italicized stanzas in between, use of some end rhymes and alliteration.
[not happy with the over all meter yet. * needs polishing]
There is an attempt with the stanzas to help organize the ideas and events
The story tries to capture the uncertainty of a mysterious wizard-like character believed to have been a conjurer in the 1500's in Queen Mary's reign. It follows him to a point where he leaves on a voyage of escape to avoid political and religious investigation.
The poem makes a general statement that there is magic to be found and the conjurer
delved as deeply as any mortal could to achieve mastery over life
There is a connotation in the poem that poets attempt the same magic in the zodiacs of their own wit.
Stanza 1
Makes an observation of the magician staging a show, the skill behind the scenes and the crowds wonder and almost fearfulness for the mystery encountered
Stanza 2
Reinforces this mindset of their opinion
Stanza 3
Builds on the magician's strange equipment and means of calling down power.
Stanza 4
Gives a warning.
Stanza 5
Builds further on the combination of knowledge and nature to give special power.
Stanza 6
The Conjuror begins to be tricked by his own knowledge and by dishonest people around him.
Stanza 7
Expands on the idea that truth and reason can be distorted the more that political and ambitious get involved.
Stanza 8
Even the poets get involved in the great quest.
Stanza 9
At last total confusion at prophecies and lies. Fear and fleeing and futility
become the main force of this second to last stanza.
Stanza 10
A summary of the life of the scientists aims and aspirations thwarted.