Notes About The Poem

Microsoft Bing: DALL-E 2

*Socrates argues that madness is not necessarily an evil, claiming that ‘the greatest of blessings come to us through madness, when it is sent as a gift of the gods’.

Socrates describes four types of divine madness:

  • the prophetic frenzy of the Oracle of Delphi and the priestesses of Dodona (the gift of Apollo)
  • mystical revelations and initiations, which provide "a way of release for those in need" (the gift of Dionysus)
  • poetic inspiration (the gift of the Muses)
  • the madness of lovers (the gift of Aphrodite and Eros)

  • Indonesian sonnet (rhyme scheme: abab abab abab ab). The couplet is set apart as it is unrhymed.

Divine Madness

At the door to my trembling heart He cried:
‘Go in search of the lost souls one can find,
and you are charged to forever abide
by the tenet of Love for all Mankind.’
To obey was not easy, but I tried;
lesson as precious as a golden hind.
Navigating the seas from the blind side,
no one wished to come willingly and whined.
But as the world’s troubles tested one’s pride,
it’s understandable to lose your mind.
This was not the time to let morals slide,
or forget the agreements in blood signed.

‘Greatest blessings come to us through madness
when it is sent as a gift of the gods.’*
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Hind Avatar
May 18, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Whoah, this is really emotive, I loved how you rhymed all the lines, it's not easy- and your poem topic is not easy, but... "This was not the time to let morals slide, or forget the agreements in blood signed." a fav-
Read Avatar
November 29, 2024 at 11:37 AM
I read somewhere that in every genius there's a touch of madness, enjoyed reading your poem Suzette.
Richards Avatar
November 30, 2024 at 12:06 PM
There is a fine line and I have at times been tempted to stray over to the other side - this self-discipline malarkey is killing me ;)
Goldsmith Avatar
November 28, 2024 at 7:26 AM
I enjoyed reading this creative write. What a picture. "Good Luck" We both did his contest. Have a blessed day writing away.......................
Richards Avatar
November 29, 2024 at 10:42 AM
Thanks, Paula. It was a difficult poem to write - hope I got it right.
Alex Avatar
November 27, 2024 at 6:56 PM
"Navigating the seas from the blind side" Great metaphor. Beautifully written poem.
Richards Avatar
November 27, 2024 at 10:26 PM
Thank you for the kind comment, Chris :)
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