posted October 16, 2004 03:00 PM         

Our first argument was over music
for want of a better excuse

________The recording was instrumental

first the Mars crescendo, pounding, pulsing, thrilling, wild
then the Venus passage, gentle, feathery, delicate
like the daydreams of a child

_________contrast marked

You started it, not me

_________You said, "That Mars type music turns me off
_________It grates on my nerves like Aries people
_________who fly too high
_________All it's good for is a battle cry"

The challenge was sharp and unexpected
but I felt an instant flame rise up to meet the danger

"You're wrong!
it's alive and strong and real
It's exciting and it's honest
and somehow, it makes me feel..."

__________"Aggressive?" you asked
__________with the curious smile of a stranger

Your casual detachment was worse than anger

__________"Don't be so tense-
__________now listen to Venus
__________It's peaceful
__________and soothing
__________and tranquil..."

"And boring," I finished
"like someone who can't find the courage to weep
It puts me to sleep"

__________Silence
__________then -

"Mars doesn't have to mean war," I ventured
"it's just that it's brave and true . . ."

"And forceful and driving," you interrupted
and terribly exhausting, like you"

___________It cut deep
___________and left a few minor scars
________________(not that they'll ever show)
___________Later you said you were teasing
________________"I'm sorry"

You're a cool, clever liar, you know

So, for weeks I've been troubled and chastened, I guess
and slightly ashamed of me
I had almost decided to put Mars on the shelf
and make milky soft Venus a part of myself

___________But today is Thanksgiving
___________with the Macy's parade
___________just outside my window

and the drums are beating, frantic and loud
while my heart leaps in tempo with the roar of the crowd
Yes, it's true that's the music they play at the front
to make men brave

All right, war is murder - I hate it as much as you
but I didn't invent it - can I prevent it?
And even if I try
what's wrong with being brave enough to die?

____________I can hear your answer
____________"It depends on why"

Oh, God, must semantics be part of our season?

posted October 16, 2004 03:13 PM         

Our first argument was over music
for want of a better excuse

The recording was instrumental

first the Mars crescendo, pounding, pulsing, thrilling, wild
then the Venus passage, gentle, feathery, delicate
like the daydreams of a child

contrast marked

You started it, not me

You said, "That Mars type music turns me off
It grates on my nerves like Aries people
who fly too high
All it's good for is a battle cry"

The challenge was sharp and unexpected
but I felt an instant flame rise up to meet the danger

"Your're wrong!
it's alive and strong and real
It's exciting and it's honest
and somehow, it makes me feel..."

"Agressive?" you asked
with the curious smile of a stranger

Your casual detachment was worse than anger

"Don't be so tense-
now listen to Venus
It's peaceful
and soothing
and tranquil.."

"And boring," I finished
"like someone who can't find the courage to weep
It puts me to sleep"

Silence
then-

"Mars doesn't have to mean war" I ventured
"it's just that it's brave and true..."

"And forceful and driving" you interrupted
and terribly exhausting, like you"

It cut deep
and left a few minor scars
(not that they'll ever show)
Later you said you were teasing
"I'm sorry"

You're a cool, clever liar, you know

So for weeks I've been troubled and chastened, I guess
and slightly ashamed of me
I had almost decided to put Mars on the shelf
and make milky sofy Venus a part of myself

But today is Thanksgiving
with the Macy's parade
just outside my window

and the drums are beating frantic and loud
while my heart leaps in tempo with the roar of the crowd
Yes, it's true that's the music they play at the front to make men brave

All right war is murder-I hate it as much as you
but I didn't invent it-can I prevent it?
And even if I try
what's wrong with being brave enough to die?

I can hear your answer
"It depends on why"

Oh, God, must semantics be part of our season?

You may give me a reason to need my Mars someday
So, if it's all the same to you
I haven't thrown it away

posted October 18, 2004 02:00 PM         

Oh, and Shea, you really need to get a copy of that book. It is amazing and powerful verse...