Allan Koven Poet Light Verse

Lamentation

Lamentation

born among the travelers of her day  
she played in the sandpile with Woody Guthrie 
sung in the chorus with Allen Ginsberg 
walked in the way of The Weavers
and bathed in the rhythms of Miles Davis
she lived unconfined and dreamed of change. 

today, we see her still betrothed 
committed to this sacred ground 
searching asking, questioning, ...
consumed with her desire to know
engaged to a doctrine as a lover's pledge
she marches, occupies, writes, 
relentlessly struggles, driven to ask
to whom shall she lament
for life's ambivalent adaptations?

her life defines her cogent mission. 
she continues to flay against an unjust world
where equity kindness trickles down
and evaporates among negative forces.
shall she rage against God 
for not eliminating suffering 
in the details of man's creation?
shall she cry to the architect 
who left man to face the agonies 
of hunger, war, sickness, 
and the loneliness of death?
to whom shall she lament
for life's ambivalent adaptations?

will the glorification of beauty
love, compassion, and mercy suffice?
will her breath, touch, hearing,
sight or taste suffice?
will her ancestors, her tribes
her spouse, her children
rise up and see her as blessed?
or will a requiem be the one
purpose of her life's fulfillment? 
to whom shall she lament
for life's ambivalent adaptations? 

C.A.K. 3-17-2013

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Carol Eastman October 22, 2014 at 9:33 AM It's been far too long since I visited your poetry. A very thought provoking piece. Allan Koven October 22, 2014 at 10:10 AM Thank you, Carol. Always a pleasure to hear from you. Allan

Scott Thirtyseven October 8, 2014 at 6:17 AM Here I am again, enjoying this piece once more. Apart from that I have nothing to add. Allan Koven October 8, 2014 at 12:01 PM She and I are a different ends of the political spectrum. She laments for those millions who struggle but flays against American ideals. We are the most charitable country in the world and millions beg to come here where they have a chance at a better life. But many of those from disadvantaged countries keep voting in the despots or Liberals thinking that they will improve the lives of the masses. They never do. Stalin, Pol Pot, Mao etc. Even here in America, Progressives have moved us toward a downward slope emulating Spain, Greece France and others. Allan

Scott Thirtyseven June 18, 2014 at 8:01 AM Wow your comment below is as driven as these words. In all her searching your woman remains blind. Or am I the one who displays no sight??? Well done, what a magnificent piece Allan Koven June 19, 2014 at 10:18 AM Scott, noticed that you were listed as top 100. Congratulations! Thank you for reviewing this poem. It reflects my views on extreme liberals who denigrate much of what makes America great. I am fearful that radical elements (including Jihadists) who are starting to exert their hateful negative influence on this amazing country. Allan

Ralph Sergi May 29, 2014 at 1:10 PM Hi Allan: Forgive me for misinterpreting your poem. Might I say though it is intriguing.

Ralph Sergi May 28, 2014 at 5:33 PM Hi Allan: This sounds like a beautiful biographic poem. May I be the first to ask you who this lady (was) or does she metaphorically represent a Muse Allan Koven May 28, 2014 at 8:59 PM Ralph, no it was not biographical. It was written about an very left wing radical who tends to Liberal causes and supports them if they are anti-American or anti-Israel. The rest of the world's atrocities get ignored and seldom discussed. She is the opposite of a muse for me and a person that I do not admire. Thanks for commenting, Allan