Dante Alighieri's "Paradiso"

Photo from Google Images

http://kidslink.bo.cnr.it/ic6-bo/scuolainospedale/num6-2/divcom/Image8.jpg

Dante Alighieri’s Paradiso

This week, I’ve placed parallel posts on my blogs with both exploring Dante Alighieri’s final book of The Divine Comedy: Paradiso.

Spheres and circularity dominate the theme of this epic poem. Dante often even imitates the shape of the circle with his words. The Pilgrim and guide enter heaven at the convergence of four circles with three crosses. (This use of seven symbols refers to the seven virtues: 4 cardinal, 3 theological.)

The term "cardinal" comes from the Latin cardo or hinge; therefore, the cardinal virtues (Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Fortitude) are pivotal to any life of virtue.In the Old Testament Book of Wisdom, 8:7, we learn that "She [Wisdom] teacheth temperance, and prudence, and justice, and fortitude, which are such things as men can have nothing more profitable in life."
In The Republic, Plato identified these virtues with societal classes and thus, the very  faculties of humanity:

Temperance: produces classes, the farmers and craftsmen, also animal appetites
Fortitude: associated with the warrior class and the spirited element in man
Prudence: associated with rulers and reason
Justice: stands outside the class system and divisions of man, and rules the proper relationship among them

The theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love (charity), indicate a higher level of consciousness and compassion. Lessons that pertain to each of these virtues repeat throughout the Old and New Testament and within more ancient religious precepts. 

Apple Trees

These two poetic statements allude to the Adam and Eve story. 

They were written to bring a perspective of femininity. 

Apple Trees by Olbinski

Expression

Muck and mire:

Source of life

truest milk coagulates

to form original temptation.

Little men who have bitten

the fruit of the Tree

claim

it’s simply words,

blame

it on a few Voices of Eve.

Feminine sources

of life- soul- strife,

open yourselves
to express

the mellifluous flow

of Divinest Truth. 

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

*************************

Fallen Apple

I am the fallen apple.

Ripe with ardor,

I drop from provisional support

and roll into fertile mire

of fecundity, autonomy.

Temptation.

I’ll not rot in isolation. 

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

We will always remember!

Photo from Google Images

Click onto the candle to hear Sarah McLachlan sing "Angel."

Photo from http://michaeljamescasey.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/natl_memorial.jpg

Photo from Washington Post

Photo from Google Images

 The National 9/11 Memorial, New York City, Pentagon 9/11 Memorial, and Flight 93 Memorial
illustrate my semiotic theory of iconic realism. 
Read more by clicking HERE.

I wrote this poem the afternoon of September 11, 2001 in Danbury, CT, 65 miles north of the horror,  yet close enough to know that the same clouds passing above me just passed over the horror. The wispy clouds almost looked like angels floating above and away from the madness below. Silence… except for the industry of nature.

September 11, 2001

Bellowing clouds of madness

devour cavernous streets

filled with masses seeking freedom

from a spumous potion of death.

Silent plumes in an azure sky

Blessed

by the whispers of three thousand angels

newly formed, dancing

sweeten this visage of horror.

Delicate cricket chirps, gentle bird songs,

strong airy wings of a soaring bird

reveal the Love

that can never die.

Freedom prevails.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos  2001

Back to School (or) A New Box of Crayons

Having finished explained the course syllabus to my university students of the new academic year, many thoughts race through my head right now. Hmmm... dilemma, which one do I choose? Okay, here goes.....

Back to School 

(or) 

A New Box of Crayons

There is nothing as sweet as the waxy aroma

of a brand new 64-count box of Crayola crayons

bought especially for that first day of school.

It has the crayon sharpener right on the box!

And oh, the most marvelous feeling:

sliding the very first crayon out of its sleeve.

Periwinkle Blue! Carnation Pink! Burnt Siena!

What does it mean, this little box of crayons?

Summer is over! Those lazy, creative days sitting

under the maple tree, dreaming of 'next school year'

are etched forever as summer memories,

and those encouraging messages 

from last June now come to fruition. 

New books, new shoes, new clothes,

New hope, new friends! Old ones, too, 

but now with new stories to share. 

Early autumn, with its cool breezes, 

whisks variegated leaves that dance 

among fallen, multi-hued apples:

Nature's fresh box of crayons

tossed with a sanguine force that energizes

each step toward the school's front door.

Like the rainbow after a summer rain,

kind smiles herald enlightenment

that radiates from a Teacher's love.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos

God's Peace

With so many people being manipulated by so many people, it's time to take a very large step away from the chaos. I choose peace... Peace with God. From this point, I am confident that He will move my heart in the direction of Infinite Love. Join me? 

May the Almighty's eternal Blessings be with you all.  

The Revolutionary Rhetoric of Sydney Owenson (Lady Morgan)

My collection of books written by Sydney Owenson (Lady Morgan)

From page 17 of my book: 

            Revolutionary philosophy of the sixteenth through nineteenth centuries provides momentum for the transformation of consciousness, circuitous pathways of innovation and circularity within societal parameters, creating awareness of cultural change, often through literary articulation. During the long eighteenth century, Sydney Owenson constructs her national tales by configuring lexical combinations of Irish, English and European colloquialisms, drawing upon the historical and philosophical perceptions of René Descartes, John Locke, and Immanuel Kant to transform her romantic tales into narratives of political inquiry. She incorporates the German philosophical influences of Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Georg Wilhelm Friedriech Hegel, and Arthur Schopenhauer, initiating innovation in forms of cultural awareness. 

            As her writing matures, her nineteenth century contemporary scientific approach to human dignity resonates with Auguste Comte’s philosophy, revealing her personal experience with societal expectations. Her voice maintains a necessary fortitude in terms of her feminine perspective, placing Irish ideology into the center of English culture at the onset of the Ascendancy, while she illustrates foresight in challenging the political stance of the United Kingdom in the early decades of the nineteenth century. 

Overflowing

A number of years ago, I wrote this brief poem about consciousness, using this fascinating painting by Alex Grey to illustrate:

http://www.artofimagination.org/Images/MemberImages/Grey/Transfigurations.jpg

Overflowing 

Between lyrics and dynamics

a dimension unfolds 

wherein my consciousness 

dwells - interprets 

language and intonation

of body and soul

one overflowing into the other

they- it- I

conflict - confide- coalesce

glorious 

in conscious renewal.

© Jeanne I. Lakatos