Lyrical Poetry

First off, I'd like to say I've been having some 'turbulence' with Aris Lisvacor lately and I would like to dedicate this post to her.

Lyrical poetry is a form of written poetry that involves rhyming schemes in order to express personal feelings and emotional feelings. Today lyrical poetry is not always set to music or a beat, but in classic Greek culture it was often set to the sound of a stringed instrument.

In ancient Greece, lyrical poetry had a much more specific meaning. Lyrical poetry was a verse that was accompanied by a stringed instrument, such as a lyre. The lyric poet was distinguished from the writer of plays, the writer of other verses and the writer of elegies, which were rather accompanied by flute.

It wasn't until around the 19th century that lyrical poetry started to be given deep emotion and personal attributes. This type of lyrical poetry was called Romantic poetry. It later developed and played key roles into becoming what today we know as rock, country and many other forms of modern day music.

During the late 20th century lyrical poetry began to become more popular as The Beatles, Queen, Johny Cash spread across America. Over that time period more and more people wrote their own songs based on their own lives and over time the collection grew to the many thousands of songs you can find online today.

Today's Rant: Alien Worlds

Last night I watched a sci-fi movie with my twin brother, as I often do, and began thinking. Have you ever noticed the way sci-fi movies portray alien worlds? There is always one dominant life form or species that reigns over the planet much like we humans do here on Earth. In their worlds though, they all share a common language, common culture, and common outlook on what is and what isn't meant to be. Never once would they go to war against their own kind, let alone betray them to make themselves better off. Yet that is exactly what happens here. Now I am not saying that that is diversity's fault, far from it actually. I believe the vast number of languages, cultures, customs, ethnicities, races, and religions here is one of the most magnificent aspects of this planet. I am simply stating that we envision and suspect alien worlds to be united while we ourselves are not. And why is that? And why can't we get along?

I don't have an answer to these questions. I do, however, have a poem that reflects the way I feel about them. I wrote it a few years ago, but it has always remained my favorite of all the poems I have ever written. Enjoy!

Moonlight Masquerade

Only in death can we find freedom,

Only in freedom can we find life;

And so the dance begins.

The clock strikes twelve on the wall,

Decorations consume the hall,

Much excitement for the coming ball;

As the people enter in.

They wear masks to hide the truths,

Fantasy is their excuse,

To enjoy reality.

They dance and drink the night through,

Angels and demons and jesters too,

All together in a harmonic hue;

Colors to every degree.

But slowly the sun returns again,

The day starts and the dance ends,

And the fun begins to fade.

They leave the ball and shed their glee,

Sinking back into reality,

Wondering why things can’t always be

Like the moonlight masquerade.