an angel is an expert without experience to have observed an eternity’s worth of human behaviors and expressions, to have listened to the inner thoughts of countless souls… I have always wondered what it might be like to fly and read minds and walk through walls —
What a fantastic poem. As I read it, I was immediately reminded of the movie "City of Angels". It's fantastic that poetry appeals so deeply to the emotions, that it brings to mind things that were thought to be real. Thanks Franco Amati.
Speaking of locked in a room, i forget the exact words but the Kogi train their children/seers so they are inside in an enclosed area for first 9 years and don't see the light of day till then! Two movies, the first also a book, "From the Heart of the World: The Elder Brothers' Warning - Kogi Message to Humanity" and "Aluna". Yeah, saw that Wenders film decades ago, makes an impression! There's a line "But no one has so far succeeded in singing an epic of peace. What is wrong with peace that its inspiration doesn't endure.. Homer, Wings of Desire" and that line inspired me to write an epic poem, "Singing an Epic of Peace".
I remember that quote from the movie. Very good, definitely made an impression on me too. Thank you for the extra information, Mankh. Really complements the piece.
I enjoyed Until the End of the World after reading your previous post about Wim Wenders. Now I must watch this as well. Than you for your insights Franco
Really have nothing to say Franco other than I absolutely love this piece!!! I'm just going to sit here and quietly stare out the window into this incredibly blustery day and let it sink in, deeply!
Bro! YOU SHOW US ALL THAT WE EXIST BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES! “Existence” began, if that word even has relevance, when all “existence” began…WE have always been free of the boundaries and WE always will…Poets are always boundless and are our guides…
“I don’t know if angels
dream at night or if life on earth is their dream — ”
As good as any explanation! (I had a dream last night that I had a Train-engine in a penthouse, and I had to get it downstairs and back on the track…maybe that dream was another Universe?)
“…these are the things of poetry,
these are best captured in the places in-between, …”
Verses like those are why I read this newsletter each week…Poets like you show us the possible…
that dream could very well have been another universe! And thank you for tuning in each week—your continued presence means a lot to me. Thank you, brother—always.
Perspectives make the realities of our lives. So simple yet so profound. I want to believe in Angels so I do. This makes them a reality in my life and in my afterlife.
This poem reminded me of the Tibetan “Book of the Dead.” That reincarnation at any level is a curse, especially that of the higher and lower realms, angels/gods included. And that if we must be reincarnated, to be human is the best option, as we are the only ones, in a sense, who can experience the full range of creation.
When I read certain Buddhist teachings I always get the idea that we are attaching ourselves too completely to things around us - things that include love and lust. We yearn for them and this to some degree makes us subservient to them. When we lose them we experience loss and grief. If a person lives in a woods, in a shelter she built and creates only what she needs to survive, collects nothing but food and flowers, will she experience less grief and loss in her lifetime? My mother passed in January and I spent a very long week cleaning out her house. There were moments when I was near frozen in place trying to figure out - should we keep this, throw it out, sell it or give it away? I couldn't decide. As the memories flooded in just from holding an old knife or bowl that I remembered as a child, I lost my perspective on time and space. It was informative - I'll leave it at that. Excellent poem and notes Franco.
Thank you for sharing that perspective about your mother. And I agree, that human tendency for attachments can make life difficult. But also beautiful. I really appreciate your wisdom, Joe. Thanks for the comment. 🙏
I thoroughly enjoyed your poem.
It did get me thinking.
If angels in heaven
Have unlimited flight
And read our souls
With unlimited sight
Would they only feel sad
Or eventually go
Stark raving mad?
And seek dark matter's
Comforting mode
Or is that why we see
Many stars explode?
Thank you, Malcolm. I enjoyed reading this.
The idea that stars explode and die off because of angels possibly going mad is both hilarious and something that could do with serious consideration.
Seriously?
Okay, maybe not.
Willie Nelson wrote a song "Angel flying too close to the ground." And I wrote "Unidentified flying angel."
Ah, I didn't get the reference. That makes much more sense. Funny too!
Excellent poem, awesome film.
Thank you, Jeffrey!
What a fantastic poem. As I read it, I was immediately reminded of the movie "City of Angels". It's fantastic that poetry appeals so deeply to the emotions, that it brings to mind things that were thought to be real. Thanks Franco Amati.
https://youtu.be/NdYWuo9OFAw?si=9b2t1Uqyu2JOPW2f
Thanks Rolando, city of Angels is an excellent remake of Wings of Desire. :) I'm glad you enjoyed the poem.
Speaking of locked in a room, i forget the exact words but the Kogi train their children/seers so they are inside in an enclosed area for first 9 years and don't see the light of day till then! Two movies, the first also a book, "From the Heart of the World: The Elder Brothers' Warning - Kogi Message to Humanity" and "Aluna". Yeah, saw that Wenders film decades ago, makes an impression! There's a line "But no one has so far succeeded in singing an epic of peace. What is wrong with peace that its inspiration doesn't endure.. Homer, Wings of Desire" and that line inspired me to write an epic poem, "Singing an Epic of Peace".
I remember that quote from the movie. Very good, definitely made an impression on me too. Thank you for the extra information, Mankh. Really complements the piece.
I enjoyed Until the End of the World after reading your previous post about Wim Wenders. Now I must watch this as well. Than you for your insights Franco
aw glad you liked it, Victoria. hope you enjoy Wings too
Perhaps this life is all a game, perhaps God and the angels our supposed creator and guardians are taking the piss.
I’m not into films/Hollowwood.
Fab poem Franco with its perspective insights.👍
yes they are definitely taking the piss. thanks, karl. Good to hear from you, brother.
This is a potent contemplation, and even goes as far to address the question that we might ask of God...
Why this? Why am I here etc.
A: because God, who would broadcast his glory, does so in wisdom, through a flawed, fleshy, and redeemable creation.
Thank you, Kirk thank you 🙏
Really have nothing to say Franco other than I absolutely love this piece!!! I'm just going to sit here and quietly stare out the window into this incredibly blustery day and let it sink in, deeply!
so glad! thank you for taking a moment to take it all in
“…to exist beyond the boundaries of time,
to be both old and young and yet neither…”
Bro! YOU SHOW US ALL THAT WE EXIST BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES! “Existence” began, if that word even has relevance, when all “existence” began…WE have always been free of the boundaries and WE always will…Poets are always boundless and are our guides…
“I don’t know if angels
dream at night or if life on earth is their dream — ”
As good as any explanation! (I had a dream last night that I had a Train-engine in a penthouse, and I had to get it downstairs and back on the track…maybe that dream was another Universe?)
“…these are the things of poetry,
these are best captured in the places in-between, …”
Verses like those are why I read this newsletter each week…Poets like you show us the possible…
Bravo!! Great poem!
that dream could very well have been another universe! And thank you for tuning in each week—your continued presence means a lot to me. Thank you, brother—always.
Franco, I tire of my own voice and I fear that others must tire of my voice...
Perspectives make the realities of our lives. So simple yet so profound. I want to believe in Angels so I do. This makes them a reality in my life and in my afterlife.
Yes so true, thank you Tama!
"This poem was inspired by the Wim Wenders film, Wings of Desire."
Great film! Your poem hints that you also watched "Far Away, So Close" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107209/
Thank you, Peter! Glad you caught the Far Away, So Close reference;)
This poem reminded me of the Tibetan “Book of the Dead.” That reincarnation at any level is a curse, especially that of the higher and lower realms, angels/gods included. And that if we must be reincarnated, to be human is the best option, as we are the only ones, in a sense, who can experience the full range of creation.
That's fascinating to think about. I guess we might have it better than we think. Thanks for the added insights.
So much wonderful food for new thoughts in this poem, thank you 🙏
:) thank you, April 😊
Wonderful words, Franco. Very thought-provoking and powerful.
Glad you enjoyed it, Michael :) thank you.
how long did it take to write this
same length of time as a nice cozy nap 😴
well a nap wouldn’t have been necessary if you would write faster 😇🫶
❤️❤️❤️
When I read certain Buddhist teachings I always get the idea that we are attaching ourselves too completely to things around us - things that include love and lust. We yearn for them and this to some degree makes us subservient to them. When we lose them we experience loss and grief. If a person lives in a woods, in a shelter she built and creates only what she needs to survive, collects nothing but food and flowers, will she experience less grief and loss in her lifetime? My mother passed in January and I spent a very long week cleaning out her house. There were moments when I was near frozen in place trying to figure out - should we keep this, throw it out, sell it or give it away? I couldn't decide. As the memories flooded in just from holding an old knife or bowl that I remembered as a child, I lost my perspective on time and space. It was informative - I'll leave it at that. Excellent poem and notes Franco.
Thank you for sharing that perspective about your mother. And I agree, that human tendency for attachments can make life difficult. But also beautiful. I really appreciate your wisdom, Joe. Thanks for the comment. 🙏