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A Russian Mystic Outre

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Author's Notes: I decided to write this Double Dactyl poem on Rasputin out of my historical interest in the Romanov dynasty, and the role that Rasputin had played in it as both a mystic and healer in the service of Tsar Nicholas II and members of his family, in particular, the Tsar's wife, Alexandra, and his son Alexi. Having been a student of the Russian language for many years, I have always found this period of the Russian empire to be of great interest since the Romanov dynasty was the last royal family to rule Russia before the Russian Revolution which occurred in 1917. Rasputin very much remains an enigmatic figure in today's world. This self-ordained monk is still surrounded by mystery, legend, and rumor. By the way, the Russian word "Strannik," which appears in the first verse of my poem, as originally extracted and translitered from its Cyrillic script, means a "wanderer" or a "pilgrim." Both of those meanings describe the mysterious Rasputin amply. (Gary Bateman - July 18, 2018)

Thematic Categories: allegory, allusion, dark, lust, mystery, power, and symbolism.

A Russian Mystic Outré Mystical-Strannik Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin A charlatan to many A prophet to some. His hypnotic effect Incomprehensible His eyes uncanny A saint to none. Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved July 18, 2018 (Double Dactyl)

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Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 7/22/2018 5:43:00 PM

He had quite a presence and control over Alexandra who was desparate to help her son! His death was almost as incredible as his life. I enjoyed your poem Gary...but wanted it to be longer! : )

Gary Bateman
Date: 7/23/2018 8:13:00 AM

Hello Connie, I am very pleased to hear that you enjoyed my poem here on Rasputin. He most certainly had a commanding and mesmerizing presence for sure over Alexandra given the situation with her son. He was both fascinating and scary at the same time. Unfortunately, I couldn't make this poem longer because of the restrictive parameters in constructing a Double Dactyl formatted poem. (I may do another poem later on Rasputin as a narrative and can expand the discussion further.) Best!! Gary

Lyric Man

Date: 7/19/2018 8:35:00 AM

Gary.. enjoyed the poem. Loved the notes that brought context!

Gary Bateman
Date: 7/19/2018 2:10:00 PM

Thanks LM!! I very glad you enjoyed this particular specialty poem of mine. Author's Notes are particular important in poems like these so the reader has got the backstory surrounding the subject at hand. Cheers and Best, Gary

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 7/19/2018 8:25:00 AM

- A long story ... in an awsome short poem, Gary - Excellent written :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Gary Bateman
Date: 7/19/2018 2:08:00 PM

Hello Dear Anne-Lise, Thanks for your read and great comment here. Yes, the Double Dactyl is a highly specialized format that must be structured a certain way. As you might recall, I have written several of these before dating all the way back to 2014. Very pleased you liked it!! Best Always, Gary

Arthur Vaso

Date: 7/19/2018 12:16:00 AM

You bring history to life and make it interesting! Those who remain silent on such are doomed to repeat it!

Gary Bateman
Date: 7/19/2018 7:18:00 AM

Thanks Art for your most prescient comment here. You are certainly right that those who remain silent are definitely doomed to have history repeated. They are so many contemporaneous examples today of what you say. Rasputin would've been killed by the Communists later, but a cabal of Russian noblemen struck first. Cheers and Best Wishes, Gary

Dale Gregory Cozart

Date: 7/18/2018 4:34:00 PM

I'm guessing you mean Putin. What Trump is doing has got to mean long-term decline for the GOP. But then, the establishment can only ignore the economic problems of the working classes so long before the whole system starts to collapse. I suppose we should have seen this coming with Nixon. It probably means the democrats aren't too far behind.

Gary Bateman
Date: 7/19/2018 7:14:00 AM

Actually my Double Dactyl specialty poem is strictly about "Rasputin" who played a significant role in the decline of the Romanov dynasty during the forlorn reign of Tsar Nicholas II before the Communist revolution in 1917, and most certainly has nothing to do with the modern-day dictator and Trump-Buddy known as Vladimir Putin, except for the fact that both of them are Charlatans. Gary

Heidi Sands

Date: 7/18/2018 3:52:00 PM

Very interesting and nicely written poem Gary. Impressive. Thanks for sharing! :)

Gary Bateman
Date: 7/19/2018 7:07:00 AM

Thanks Heidi!! Always a pleasure to hear from you!! Very pleased you liked my Dactyl here. Best Wishes, Gary

Tom Cunningham

Date: 7/18/2018 2:50:00 PM

An interesting period in Russian history Gary, thanks for the insight. A shame the revolution killed it all. Tom.

Gary Bateman
Date: 7/18/2018 3:02:00 PM

Thanks Tom for your read and great comment!! Yes, a very interesting period for sure in Russian history -- and then came the Bolshevik Revolution with Lenin, Stalin, and the whole rest of the communist gang!! And now we have "Putin," Trump's best new friend (Ha, Ha) to contend with!! Lucky us!! Best Always, Gary

Liam Mcdaid

Date: 7/18/2018 2:30:00 PM

superb how a vision comes to mind excellent pen

Gary Bateman
Date: 7/18/2018 2:32:00 PM

Thanks Liam Mate!! A vision it is for sure. Very pleased you enjoyed it!! Best Wishes, Gary

Silent One

Date: 7/18/2018 1:43:00 PM

Great DD Gary... Thank you for the history lesson..

Gary Bateman
Date: 7/18/2018 1:57:00 PM

Thanks Silent One!! Always a great pleasure to hear from you!! Cheers and Best, Gary