Summary

"Oh Soulful Mariner" is a rondeau poem responding to a poetry prompt, which reflects on the journey of a privileged individual through spiritual growth and self-discovery.

Abstract

The poem "Oh Soulful Mariner" is a creative response to Ravyne Hawke’s December 30th poetry prompt, exploring themes of privilege, spiritual growth, and self-discovery. It uses vivid imagery and wordplay to convey the transformation of a character born into advantage but facing the universal need for inner development. The mariner's journey symbolizes the shedding of superficial trappings for a life of deeper meaning, guided by wisdom and moral integrity. The poem's structure and diction emphasize the contrast between the protagonist's initial state and their eventual enlightenment, urging the reader to reflect on their own life's journey.

Opinions

The poem suggests that even with societal advantages, one must confront personal and spiritual challenges to achieve genuine growth.
There is a critique of the hindrances that wealth and privilege can pose to spiritual development.
The use of the color vermilion symbolizes a vibrant, life-affirming transformation that the mariner undergoes.
The poem advocates for humility and patience over arrogance and impatience as key virtues in personal evolution.
The author believes in the importance of learning from life's trials and tribulations for ascension in spiritual understanding.
The poem's notes reveal the author's intent to convey a message about avoiding negative traits and embracing confidence and light.
The inclusion of musical accompaniments suggests that the author sees the poem as part of a multisensory experience, enhancing the emotional impact of the words.
The act of tagging friends indicates a desire to foster a community of shared creativity and engagement with the prompt.
The poem is part of a broader exploration of the author's spiritual and creative journey, as indicated by the reference to speaking to God and being inspired.

Oh Soulful Mariner

Rondeau response to Ravyne Hawke’s December 30th poetry prompt

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Born enslaved with trappings of advantage Handsome wealthy white male privilege Even in the darkest of times All saw his incandescent light as sublime Please rid your ship of vermiform infestages

Replace with vermilion vestiges You have a heart for the ages Stop heading windward into blaring chimes Oh Soulful Mariner

Set sails leeward with controlled rages Execrate false beauty larkspur engages Break free of demon tendrils while still in your prime Follow sweet scent and Light of Linstara’s sage and thyme Live out your life on warm white-sanded plages Oh Soulful Mariner

The Prompt

Write a poem of may form and length using at least 5 of these 10 words, using one word in the title:

mariner, windward, enslaved, vermilion, execrate, larkspur, incandescent, lattice, tendril, harebrained (the 8 words I used are bolded)

Poem Notes:

The first two lines harken back to a tanka I wrote in April in response to Diana C.’s day-15 prompt from her 30-in-30: “A Life of One’s Own Design.”

The Lesson Plan, Tanka of trials and tribulations for spiritual growth

Incarnate handsome Book-smart wealthy privileged Behind these 8-balls Face yours and others’ demons Emerge confident and Light

Decoder ring thereof in part:

The purpose of every incarnation is to learn from life-lessons, and the better one navigates the bumps, potholes, detours, and demolition derbies of multi-player sagas, the higher one ascends in Heaven.

…

I believe I am supposed to learn to avoid arrogance, impatience, condescension and patronization; and instead be patient and humbly confident.

…

The first two lines of [that] tanka evoke the advantages with which I was born. The third line, the pivot, posits that these advantages actually hinder spiritual growth.

Infestages is wordplay. I liked the juxtaposition of the similar-sounding words vermiform, which means worm-like, and vermilion, which is considered the color of life, associated with blood because of the red color, and eternity. It carries with it the same symbolism as red — a power color also associated with love, marriage, and religion.” — Source

Your musical accompaniments:

In Rama I create, with soul-energy surging through my body, inspiring me and breathing wind into my sails,

Marcus (Gregory Maidman)