Up in the Gods

By Philip Sidney

Mon, 11 Aug 2014
  • 2446 reads
14 comments
 

The cheapest seats exhilarate.

 

Sit on the ledge,  

Lean into the void,

Fly or fall.

 

Zoom in.

 

Close up,

Focus on action,

Senses probe the detail.

 

Zoom out.

 

Once exposed,

A wider perspective,

Cannot be erased.

 

There may be things to see

Beyond paradise.

Certificate U
Poem
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Bee on

So concise. This works really well. Love the last line.

Bee

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks Bee.  

Submitted by Geoff Smith on

I agree that the ending (once exposed onwards) is pretty superb.  Really good.

Thanks for reading. I am grateful for your time.

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks Jasper - I think that last bit is the point I really wanted to make - so pleased it was noticed.

Submitted by Geoff Smith on

I agree that the ending (once exposed onwards) is pretty superb.  Really good.

Thanks for reading. I am grateful for your time.

Submitted by jeand on

Hi again Philip

It certainly is an interesting poem. I'm afraid I'm not good at writing poetry, so feel rather inadequate to comment much on it beyond the obvious.

I think the whole theatre experience is exhilarating, no matter where you sit. But given the choice, I don't think I would choose the Gods.

 

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

I went to see The Roaring Girl on Saturday afternoon (fantastic!) but I was late and put at the top standing, I'm sure I would have enjoyed the play closer to the stage.  But I do enjoy being slightly frightened and high up too.

Submitted by celticman on

beyond paradise is poetry (or so I was told, by one so bold). Nice one.

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you celticman, your comment made me a bit weepy - could be the gin,,,

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi

I read this again, after finding out about the play, and the fact it was at Stratford, and it had a very talented cast - and I can now clearly see you sitting on the ledge of the top balcony, so transported by the occasion and the acting that you didn't mind how uncomfortable you were.

And then I checked out the Inspiration photograph. I have been to that place or one similar in a trip we took to Arizona a few years ago now. It is really hard to describe how it looks and feels to have that viewpoint. But at the time I was worried because my husband had decided to stop taking his blood pressure medication, and the altitude was very thin, and he was struggling to breathe. So I can't know look at the view without remembering the other stuff.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Oh dear, sounds like a truamatic visit. probably not a good image for you to look at.  Sometimes I think it's just good to know places are there, and are wonderful etc. and that's enough, I don't actually need to go to know.

Submitted by Sooz006 on

If the wrold was a stage, I'd want to be on the balcony....great poem. 

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you! :)