Mark Scrivener Poetry Blog No. 40 Unicorn

UNICORN

Originally written for younger readers, this poem was published in the NSW School Magazine. However, it has, I think, a little subtext about the slightly more fantastical but fun side of imagination that could appeal to older readers as well.

  

Unicorn- Mark Scrivener

          UNICORN

In the moon-glow, bright and white,

On the midnight's deep,

In the beams of dreaming light,

Over the city asleep,

On the clouds' white glaze,

Past the stars, on night's dark ways,

Something is softly stamping its feet.

Is it only the far thunder's beat?

Is it only a drifting, bright cloud

On the edge of the rise of the storm?

Or is it a prancing and proud,

Moon-born unicorn?

Its voice is the far ocean's swell,

It rides on the moon's silent beams;

Its horn is a white, spiralled shell,

Its path is the pathway of dreams.

On the edge of the rise of the storm,

Over the city asleep,

Is it a drift of bright cloud?

Or is it a prancing and proud,

Moon-born unicorn,

Softly, softly stamping its feet?

Mark Scrivener Poetry Blog No. 39 Sirius

SIRIUS

Sirius is the brightest star in the sky due to its relative nearness (8.6 light years) and its brightness (intrinsically 25 times as bright as our sun). In fact, it has a tiny white dwarf companion star, difficult to see due to the brightness of the main star that even in a small telescope it is remarkably bright. This poem is a reflection upon that experience of viewing it. Sothis is the Greek version of its Egyptian name. 

SIRIUS

I turn the white tube of the telescope

upon that brightest, white, white star

and see far in the far

a blaze of light, its brilliance finer

than any jewel or precious stone

that shines by stolen glow alone.

Bright Sothis, Sirius, you are

all the sky’s most splendid star.

The old sky-lining of

Hellenic legend drew you as

the dog star, the hound’s eye of

the greater, faithful creature following

Orion, the hunter through

the turning of the night.

And in ancient Egypt's lore

you were seen as sacred star,

one whose rising in the palest wash

of the hushed, dawn-hinting sky

beckoned coming flooding of the Nile.

You are still to sight

greatest star in all the night,

brightest far sun in the darkness.

Our cultures, civilisations, go and come,

yet you shine on, oh, distant sun,

across the paths of harbouring vastness,

across time's endless transformations.

I gaze in awe and dimly feel

affinity to being, boundless and

beyond these thoughts.

Mark Scrivener Poetry Blog No 38. The Sorcerer's Apprentice (From the German of Goethe)

THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE

This ballad is a translation or English version of a German poem by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, the author of Faust. It is, perhaps, still relevant as the archetypal warning about summoning or creating that which you cannot control. The basic tale can be found in a work Philópseudēs ("Lover of Lies") by Lucien AD 150. Paul Dukas wrote an orchestral piece based on this poem and that music was the basis of the famous sequence with Mickey Mouse as the apprentice in Disney's Fantasia. It was also the basis of the more recent Disney film of the same name. 

THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE

after the German of Goethe

So, for once, he's gone away,

Gone the old witch lord, that's great!

Now his spirits shall obey,

Live and act as I dictate!

Words, ways, workings now,

I've seen what to do,

And with spirits' power

I'll work wonders too.

Wander, wander

Many paths

That to baths

Water flows,

Brought in right, full floods from yonder,

Down into the tub it goes.

And now come, you old, old broom!

Dress in rotten rags, I say.

Long you've served us in this room:

Now obey my will, obey!

Take two legs below,

Have a head above,

Hurry now and go

With the water jug!

Wander, wander

Many paths

That to baths

Water flows,

Brought in right, full floods from yonder,

Down into the tub it goes.

Look he runs down to the brink!

Yes, he's at the river's gleam,

Back again, quick as a wink,

Pours it in a rushing stream.

Here a second time!

Now the tub fills up!

Swelling waters line

Every basin's top!

Still! Stand here!

Of this stuff

We've enough

For today!-

Oh! I see! Oh, dear, oh, dear!

I've forgotten what to say!

Oh, the word that would indeed

Make it what it was before.

Oh, it runs and brings with speed!

Would you were a broom once more!

Ever new, new fills

It brings here instead

And a hundred spills

Pours upon my head.

No, no longer

Can I leave it;

I shall seize it,

Thing of spite!

How my fear grows ever stronger!

What a face- the eyes alight!

Oh! you offspring of foul hell,

Shall the whole, whole house be drowned?

I see every threshold swell

With the running streams all round.

Cursed broom won't, I fear,

Listen anymore!

Stick, change back, you hear.

Stand still as before!

Will it never,

Never leave it?

I shall seize it,

I shall catch it,

This old wood I'll quickly sever,

Split it with the sharp, sharp hatchet.

See, again it's trundling back!

Right, I'll stop its masquerade.

Goblin, I shall knock you flat;

Crack, it's hit with sharp, smooth blade.

Truly, well hit, man!

It's in two, just see!

Now I hope I can

Breathe more easily.

Woe, oh woe!

Both the parts

Stand and start

Serving now,

Fully ready, set to go!

Help me, oh! you high-born powers!

Away they run now! Wet and wetter

On the steps and in the hall,

What a ghastly lot of water!

Lord and master! Hear my call!-

Ah! my master's here!

Sir, I'm all messed up!

Spirits I called near,

I can't make them stop.

"To the corner,

Broom, oh, broom,

And your former

Role resume!

For, as spirit,

To such purpose, none command

You, but your old master's hand."

© Mark Scrivener 2015

Mark Scrivener Poetry Blog No 37 The Wind and the Sun (short verse play)

THE WIND AND THE SUN

This short play is based on a famous fable by Aesop. It is interesting that Aesop's fables did not originally have an explanatory maxim added on the end- the so-called "Moral" of the story. Thus their meaning was not so strictly limited but left more open for the hearer or reader. The Wind and the Sun is obviously about the idea that force does not necessarily work as well as persuasion but to say, for example, that the moral is "love conquers all" is to limit its meaning.

This play was originally written for a younger audience, however, it is interesting to note that these fables were not originally intended for children as such. To quote from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesop%27s_Fables) : "Until the 18th century the fables were largely put to adult use by teachers, preachers, speech-makers and moralists. It was the philosopher John Locke who first seems to have advocated targeting children as a special audience..." It is also interesting that verse versions of these fables have been, historically, at least as common as prose versions.

Lastly, I think it would be good if we all contemplated the meaning of this particular fable.

THE WIND AND THE SUN

From Aesop -Greek

CHARACTERS

WIND

Jagged, trailing edges on a costume of greens, whites, and grays. Veils, gloves, and make-up of the same.

SUN

A costume of golds, yellows, oranges, and reds. Head possibly surrounded by a vertical halo with raying points. A semi-circular cloak could also be attached under his arms and to his back.

TRAVELLER

As wished (e.g. Old Greek, Medieval, swagman etc.); with a long, tatty cloak.

NARRATOR

As wished.

Note- Narrator, Traveller, and even Wind can be of either gender- simply change appropriate pronouns and in the case of the Wind “brother” to “sister”

SCENE NOTES

A sky-blue background. Stairs and platform at the back for the sun of the same colour.

Stage right (audience left) a tree stump or rock.

The wind can be accompanied by a suitable “windy” instrument eg panpipes, bamboo flute.

The sun can be accompanied by plucked strings eg. lyre, nylon-stringed guitar, harp etc.

Note- This is the pipes of pan (Dionysus) and the Lyre of Apollo.

SCENE

By a deserted roadside. A tree stump or rock stage right.

(Narrator enters)

NARRATOR

Long, long ago, there lived an old,

              Greek storyteller who wove a gold,

Bright-shining thread of wisdom through

The tapestry of tales he knew.

His name was Æsop and this name

Has lasted long in story’s fame.

The tale we play today is one-

The fable of the Wind and the Sun.

Now once it happened that the wind and the sun

Resolved to hold a trial to see which one

Was stronger. Well, the wind used all his force,

But brother sun pursued a different course.

(Narrator exits)

(Enter the wind. He whirls around the stage.)

WIND

Now I am the wind with my body of air.

Now I am the wind and I rush everywhere.

Yes, I am the wind and I roll through the sky.

All the leaves shake and tremble as I whirl on by.

When I come from the ocean, I bring with me rain;

Then I come from the desert with dryness again.

And I drive the white clouds through the sky as I fly,

And I flap the wet clothes that were hung out to dry;

And I twirl all the fallen, dry leaves with my swirling,

And I raise the dry dust with my hurrying whirling.

And I ripple long grasses in waves as I pass,

And I bend all the trees with my furious blast.

And when I am friendly the birds ride on me,

As they glide through the blue sky so light and so free…

But when I am angry, I rage and I roar

And I break off the branches and rattle the door.

Now I am the Wind and I blow and I blow

Wherever I go, oh, wherever I go.

(The wind rushes up to the front of the stage and whirls

past the audience)

Whirr, whirr, whirrr, whirrrrrr !

(The wind goes back to whirling around the stage)

Yes, I am the Wind and I blow and I blow

Wherever I go, oh, wherever I go!

And I pull people's coats and I ruffle their hair,

For I am the Wind with my body of air,

For I am the Wind and I rush everywhere,

Everywhere, everywhere, everywhere, everywhere....

(On the last ‘everywhere’ the wind whirls off)

(Enter the Sun. He ascends to the platform starts to make a radiating

gesture)

SUN

I am the Sun.

I fill the world with warmth and light.

I am the Sun.

             I chase away the dark of night.

The golden flowers unfold

              Proud petals towards my rays.

I bring the shining, bold,

Bright colours of the days.

The sleeping seeds I warm

              Within the winter earth.

With day-arousing dawn

              I bring first light to birth.

At dusk I sink down with a golden flame

That singes sunset clouds; and yet from night

              I always rise again

To pour life-giving light

              And heat on everything-

And wake bright butterflies and birds that sing.

I shine and give my fire ever faithfully.

I glow upon the land, I sparkle on the sea.

Green grass and tall, tall trees

             Grow upwards towards my light.

I give the feathered, scaled,

             Or furry creatures sight.

 I lift the water from the seas

That later falls as rain.

I build the solid wood

That later burns with flame.

I blaze from far on fading shower

Of fleeting, fleeing storm

And suddenly with shining power

A rainbow arch is born!

I am the Sun.

I gleam and glow and ray and shine

And flood the world with light

             Whenever it is fine.

(The sun moves centre back and rays on the audience)

I shine, I shine, I shine,

I shine, I shine, I shine, I shine!

I am the Sun.

My bright face makes the dark sky blue.

I am the Sun;

The shining radiance so true.

I am the Sun.

I shine on you and you and you!

(The Wind enters. He whirls up to the Sun)

WIND

Good day to you,

Good brother Sun.

So tell me how

Is everything with you,

My fair lord Shining-Power?

SUN

Now all is fine with me,

My little, brother Wind.

WIND (flustering)

Oooh, there you go again.

SUN

Now I can see

That you seem bothered and upset?

WIND

I am ruffled and restless and fitfully fret.

You're always answering

With little brother Wind.

But vast is my might and far I can fly.

Why do you call me little? Why?

Do you think that I'm weaker than you?

SUN (beaming broadly)

Yes, brother Wind, I think that's true.

WIND

Who's really the stronger one,

My boastful, brother Sun?

(The wind whirls around)

I whirl around and rustle all the leaves,

I bend and sway the proud, strong trees;

So who's the stronger one, fair brother Sun?

No one but I, I am the mighty one.

I am the Wind, the breath of the heavens, and I

Roam all the vast, blue reaches of the sky.

I am the breath that comes from high;

My influence is everywhere,

For I rush here, for I rush there;

My realm is all the restless air.

My influence is felt in every place:

From the gentle ripples on a lake's calm face,

And the tremble of a dewy leaf at dawn,

To the lashing, wild rain of a howling, black storm,

And the rage of a hurricane thrashing the land. Yes, I,

The roving wind that roams the reaches of the sky,

I am the strongest of us all.

SUN (beaming )

Now, now my hasty friend are you

So certain that is really true?

For first you should think of my power.

I fire with life each gentle flower;

My dazzling radiance fills all the vastness;

My rising blaze defeats the cold night's darkness.

I spin the seasons with their changeless course:

I summon spring with fiery force,

I ripen crops with summer warmth.

Now, brother, surely it is I,

Far-shining from the blue and boundless sky,

Who shows the truest power of all?

WIND

Enough of all this idle chatter.

How shall we decide this matter?

SUN (gazing out into the distance)

Now gazing from the heights of sky,

Far in the distance I can spy

A weary traveller trudging past.

His steps stir tiny clouds of dust,

Upon a dry and lonely road.

And, as my beams upon him glowed,

I noticed something else of note:

He wears an old and tattered cloak.

Here is our chance, dear brother! Now

We'll see who wields the greater power!

This is the test I have to trade:

Let us find out who can persuade,

Just as a small and harmless joke,

That traveller to take off his cloak.

As you think you’re the stronger power,

You, brother wind, may try first now.

Let's see your mighty power displayed!

I shall withdraw behind cloud shade.

WIND

All right, good brother Sun, we'll see

Who really works more mightily.

(The Sun moves to the side, possibly covering his face

with his arms. The traveller enters)

TRAVELLER (with a sigh of weariness)

Ah, I've walked and walked and walked such a long, long way since the

dawn of this day! Well, I think I'll just sit here for a while and rest my weary

legs and aching feet. (The traveller sits down on the tree stump) It has been

so dry and dusty on this long and winding road. Phew! There's not the

slightest breath of wind to offer some relief.

(The wind starts to move gently)

WIND (with a whisper)

Over lakes, over streams,

Through the sun's gentle beams,

Past the woods, past the trees,

Past the branches and leaves,

Come, oh come light and murmuring breeze.

Come softly, softly brushing by,

Caress the flitting butterfly,

And whisper to the forest trees,

And stir and sway their many leaves,

And shake the daisies as you pass,

And bow the stalks of spreading grass...

Come from the broad sky, blue and clear,

And cool the brow of this traveller here.

(The wind touches the traveller lightly)

(The traveller reacts slightly to the touch- of

course, he doesn't see the wind)

TRAVELLER

Oh, now there's a bit of a breeze picking up. H'mm- there’s just the

slightest touch of chilliness in it too. Well, that’s no problem. Luckily, I'm

wearing my good, old cloak.

(The Wind starts to move more energetically)

WIND (with more intensity)

From the wide, spreading reaches of ocean and sea,

Come and summon a salty, strong breeze here for me:

Tipping waves as you pass with bright flecks of white foam,

Rolling grasses in billows, unseen in your flowing,

Beginning to make all the forest trees moan,

Shaking leaves, creaking branches with brisk, gusty blowing.

And encircle this traveller, brush by his face,

As he feels here the wind with its fresh-rising race,

So he feels now a taste of my possible course,

So he feels just a touch of the threat of my force.

(The wind circles around the traveller, brushing him

lightly with his hands as he passes by)

TRAVELLER (drawing his cloak more closely about

him)

This breezes really is getting rather chilly. I’m so glad that I've got my

trusty cloak to pull about me and protect me.

WIND (moving and speaking quite energetically)

From heights of mountains, breaking free,

Blow down a stronger wind to me,

And shake the forest as you go,

And push the drifting clouds along,

And dance the dead leaves to your song,

And stir up dry dust where you blow!

Come, irritate this traveller now,

And let him feel your windy power.

Now let the whirling dust arise,

And ruffle his hair and sting his eyes.

Come, tease his cloak now with your breath;

And tempt him now to take it off!

(The wind races around the traveller, nipping at his

cloak)

TRAVELLER (Drawing in the cloak even more closely)

Dear me, this wind is certainly picking up! Brrr! Never mind, this good, old cloak of mine will keep away the worst of it.

WIND (raging)

You stubborn fool! You stubborn fool!

Now I will make you really cool!

(The wind whirls out in a fury, to gather his strength. As he speaks the

light grows dimmer and there are increasing sounds of thunder and

howling wind from offstage)

Arise, you raging winds of storm,

From freezing quarters where you're born!

Howl down from the mountains high,

Tear across cloud-whirling sky.

Bring the whipping rain with you,

Bring the storming fury too!

Rattle the windows in the town;

Break the branches, tear them down!

From the fields of mountain snow,

Bring the icy blast and blow and blow!

(The wind tears around the traveller, pulling out his

cloak behind him)

Buffet this traveller with your blast,

And tear this cloak here from his grasp!

(The traveller snatches back the cloak from the Wind

and ties it up more firmly)

TRAVELLER

Heavens above! How suddenly the weather is

changing today. It's completely crazy! One minute

it's all calm and sunny and the very next it's blowing

with such rage! I'd better tie up my cloak really

tightly or it'll be blown right away.

WIND (In an utter fury)

Blow, oh blow winds with a powerful fury!

Tell dull earth's hearing your mighty story!

Grow, oh grow storm to your strongest stage;

Rouse your greatest power; roar your rage!

(Sounds of storm and wind increase. Occasional crashing sounds are

heard. Lights dim. Thunder booms; lightning flashes. The Wind whirls

around the traveller in a fury, tearing and ripping at his cloak)

WIND

Howl and rage around this place,

Blast this traveller in his face!

Hit him with great icy gusts and rip

His cloak right from his puny grip!

(The traveller wraps his cloak right around himself,

and gripping it firmly, crouches down in a bundle)

TRAVELLER

Heaven knows where all this wind's come from!

It's an absolute hurricane! I'm so, so glad that I brought

my good, old trusty cloak with me- otherwise I'd be frozen

to the bone.

WIND (giving up in disgust)

Phew, I'm completely out of breath,

And he's still got his cursed cloak left.

I'm defeated, I give up!

My brother Sun, come try your luck!

(The Sun appears)

WIND

Your turn to try it now;

It seems beyond my power!

(The Wind retreats to side back and stays moving

gently)

(The light comes up a little more brightly)

(The Sun, smiling, takes centre stage)

SUN

You've used your force in vain, I see.

So watch while I use harmony

And gentle, beneficial power

To solve this puzzling problem now.

(The traveller stands up)

TRAVELLER

Thank heavens, that terrible wind has gone at last.

(The traveller starts dusting himself down)

(The Sun starts to ray with arms half-raised)

SUN (softly)

Now everything must change and turn: the night

Gives way to day, the darkness to the light.

When dark storm clouds have watered all around,

They start to part and light once more is found.

A few, first sunbeams struggle through the grays,

And touch the earth with gentle, calming rays.

(With greater warmth)

Come, first sunbeams, touch the earth,

Bring the cheerful light to birth.

Touch the leaves and grass so lightly,

Make the raindrops sparkle brightly.

TRAVELLER (With a sigh of relief)

Ah, that's better. How everything looks brighter

now!

(The Sun starts to ray outward fully. Lights increase)

SUN

Come beams of light from the heights of space,

And shine and ray upon this place.

Come chase the coldness from the air,

Bring warmth and heat to everywhere!

With your wise and fiery blaze

Disperse the clouds on which you gaze.

Let the sky shine blue once more,

Vast and boundless as before.

Shine upon the storm-wet leaves,

Let the birds sing in the trees.

(Offstage a faint sound of bird song)

Shine upon this traveller here,

And dissolve his heart's cold fear;

Shine with friendly cheer on him,

And dry and warm his trembling limbs.

TRAVELLER (Stretching his arms and legs)

Oh, that's good. Here comes the sun. It's out and

the cloud's starting to go. Oh, I feel much better

already. How fresh and beautiful everything

looks in the sunlight after a storm has cleared.

Well, I think I'll just sit here for a while to

get over that awful storm.

(The traveller sits again)

SUN (Raying outwards. The Lights come up higher)

Come, oh power of gentle sunbeams, come.

Warm the wet earth where the tempest played;

Kiss the bright flowers with your soothing rays,

Light the long grass by the wayside here.

Shine from the far sky, boundless, blue and clear;

Summon small, gray lizards from beneath brown leaves;

Let the many birds fly from the trees

Into the vastness of the air

To wing on warm and rising currents there.

Surround the world with cheerful lightness,

Awaken every colour's brightness.

Glow upon this traveller now,

Let him feel my warming power.

Glow upon his heavy clothes,

Let him feel the warmth of those.

(The traveller starts untying his cloak)

TRAVELLER

It's really getting quite hot here in the sun. I

think I'd better just untie this old cloak a bit. Phew,

that's better.

SUN (With more energy)

Oh, shine and shine, my warming blaze,

And beam and beam your burning rays;

Change clear air to a shimmering haze,

And bring my fire to the old earth now.

Bright, flitting butterflies abound;

They dance from flower to glowing flower.

And busy bees buzz all around,

To seek the sweetest nectar there,

Through all the drowsy, heavy air.

Oh, shower of light's intensity,

Come, glow and glitter on the sea;

Come radiate upon the land,

And spread your healing heat on every hand.

Beam upon the traveller there,

Surround him with the sunny air;

Surround him with your shimmering haze,

Warm and warm him with your rays!

(The traveller slips his cloak behind his shoulders)

TRAVELLER

Heavens above, it's getting so hot. I've never

known such a day for changes of the weather.

First off it's cold and windy, then it changes

to hot and sunny. At first the sky is gray and

cloudy, now it is blue without a cloud in sight. It

grew so dark and wet and stormy, then just as

suddenly it is replaced by sunshine, warmth

and shining colours. Oh well, I'd better slip

back this cloak a bit. I don't really need it now.

SUN (Raying outwards with all his power. Lights go up

to full)

Burn, oh burn, my brilliant beams,

Dry up the lakes and sparkling streams.

Ray, oh ray, fill all the day

With my fire's bright display.

Pass across the earth like flame,

Heat up the stones and ripen the grain.

Make the air feel like a furnace, heat

The very earth beneath men's feet.

Flood the world with dazzling colour, light

The sea and land with blazing might.

Blaze upon the traveller there,

Surround him with the fiery air,

Make little beads of salty sweat

Go trickling down his face and neck.

TRAVELLER

Heavens, it's so terribly hot. Suddenly on this

crazy day it decides to have a heatwave! Phew,

I'll have to seek some shade. Where's my cloth?

I must mop my brow.

(The traveller mops his brow)

Well, well, it's unbelievable...all this heat!

(The traveller stands up)

There's nothing else for it; I must take off this

hot and heavy cloak. I certainly don't need it in

all this heat !

(The traveller takes off his cloak and drapes it over

his arm)

There, that's better! Now I'd better get off and see if I can find some shade somewhere to rest for a while out of the sun.

(The traveller exits, mopping his brow and carrying

his cloak)

(The Sun calls across to the Wind, who has been

watching, fluttering in the corner)

SUN

Come Wind, my friend, now come and see

How warmth and gentle harmony

And giving beneficial power

Have made him take his cloak off now.

(The Wind circles over to the Sun)

SUN

See, little brother Wind, you must agree-

This time, no doubt, the prize must go to me.

WIND

I must admit that it is true:

You are the more powerful of us two.

But I shall run off now and blow

Somewhere where you can never go;

For I can never rest, so now I'll race away

To lands where you are not, where sister Night holds sway.

(The Wind whirls off)

SUN

But I shall shine on faithfully

And give my light for all to see-

A constant power I send my ray

To show my path throughout the day.

So farewell, Wind, and fare well on your way.

(The Sun remains, raying over the world)

(Enter Narrator)

NARRATOR

And so our little tale has ended.

No doubt you see the truth intended:

The coaxing Sun, with warmth and persuasion,

Succeeded well on this occasion;

While the Wind, with his raging and furious course,

Completely failed by using anger's force.

THE END