Gettysburg* Comments

Hi Max, Thanks so much for reaching out. The poems are a delight: I downloaded the whole lot :) ...I was thinking about how are we to chronicle our life and our friends familys generations timein our own lil way? and I got my answer here... Id since got carried away with the vague spiritual stuff, but its the fine details that really make life too. I used to read the Beats, the Ginsberg's interviews available in Penguin they were such an inspiration I was truly blown away. What gets chronicled nowadays? It seems newspapers and media have stopped doing this, so we got some really rootless peeps right now. Events of our national collective history... whatever happened to the canon of poets, a little nationalism, a sense of our historical identity? What are peoples frame of reference nowadays? ... kind regards, Zubyre

A very finely written tribute to a defining point in our history. In a way, the American Revolution proved who we were not. The Civil War emphatically proved who we are.

It's so easy to live the shallow life these days and forget the past that our present was built upon. This is an emotional and evocative epic Max, filled with wonderful wise observations along the way from 'And loved me as well / As it knew how' to 'Could you do that' of the heroism, and beyond. As a Brit I obviously can't feel this one as momentously as those descended from the participants or sharing in the destiny that followed, but it strikes home very effectively all the same. Another truly great piece of writing, and just as importantly, a clear and potent reminder! ! jim

The last two parts are quite mystic where two different kinds of vision evolves simultaneously and the departure of the braves are sardonic but it reflects the destructive accomplishments of the human nature that they had always proved to be from the beginning of the time and still had the same enthusiastic potentiality to repeat such beastly history again and again without being remorseful. The vision of the prophet descending to the earth reminds me of the return of Jesus or Imam Mehdi who are suppose to relieve the humanity from such inhumane activities for the very last time.

This is strong both in the form and the substance. I like this a lot Max, it is a powerful piece. That itis divided into movements is great: acceptance; questioning and disarray. The battle field where lives are lost is more than man pitted against an, it is a battle of ideas and this was so obvious in the Gettyburg battle. This sing of the principles of America and does not act as a negative critique, but rather as a reminder. It is this that gives the narrative its strength. I really like this Max. It is powerful without being 'in-yer-face' It is a great tribute to a battle worth fighting.

This is a good piece, Max. When I visited Gettysburg, I was certain it was haunted. The spirit of freedom for all dwells in that old battlefield and you have captured it. Raynette

'It is for us the living to be dedicated to the task remaining before us. That these honored dead shall not have died in vain. And that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom. And government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.' Abe Well done Max