“Octave, Frozen, Octave”
Merisa Gareth Lightbelle
~*~
"The octave is broken. Compassion discarded, Balance sundered, Wisdom shunned, Order disregarded, Prosperity vanished, Honor abandoned. Only Creativity and Entropy remained, and Creativity has diminished. That realm belongs to Sgrios now."
-Angelique De Winter, Distinguished Aisling
Aisling Philosopher, Lorekeeper, Ranger, Knight, Contest Host,etc.
Deoch 174, Summer
Year of Ceannlaidir
"Loures only cares about two things, coin and also coin. The sooner you come to terms with this, the better off you will be. The wheel is frozen; has been for Deochs... do not pray for deliverance, build it yourself."
-Kedian Ta'Null-Ichrius, Atavism Aisling
Aisling "Wise One", Philosopher, Leader of Runic Terra
Deoch 174, Summer
Year of Ceannlaidir
~*~
Foreword
Is the Octave frozen in place?
Many feel that the Octave is broken beyond repair. They believe that the wheel, as it is called, has been unable to renew itself, and believe that Temuair is inexorably moving towards Chadul's realm. While I list the quotes of two of our most distinguished Aislings above, their voices are but two of an overwhelming tsunami of voices echoing similar sentiments. On the other hand, a dwindling few, myself included, still believe in the Octave's ability to renew and be reborn, through personal actions, and have continued to strive in the direction of renewal.
As a Gliocan, I believe in acting as a mirror, reflecting both what is possible - as well as the potential painful truth. As such, in this piece, I take this perspective quite literally. I wrote these poems from different perspectives - depending on the direction they are consumed – for your consideration.
Consuming this piece of literature:
Inspired by legendary Aisling Angelique De Winter, a pillar and shining light of the land, each poem is titled with her thoughtful proclamations on Temuair's demise. From start to finish, the reverse style of the entire work gives you, Reader, the power to choose the perspective you wish to adopt. Second, each individual poem can also be read in the same manner. Third, the optimism of the poems gradually inverts as one moves through the sequence of the Octave. Finally, each poem describes broad individual- and societal- level attitudes and events that happened in before Deoch, as well as in contemporary Temuair. You may be familiar with some of these events.
Consuming this piece of literature:
Inspired by legendary Aisling Angelique De Winter, a pillar and shining light of the land, each poem is titled with her thoughtful proclamations on Temuair's demise. From start to finish, the reverse style of the entire work gives you, Reader, the power to choose the perspective you wish to adopt. Second, each individual poem can also be read in the same manner. Third, the optimism of the poems gradually inverts as one moves through the sequence of the Octave. Finally, each poem describes broad individual- and societal- level attitudes and events that happened in before Deoch, as well as in contemporary Temuair. You may be familiar with some of these events.
As a reader, you have the opportunity to decide how you wish to interpret this piece. You can also, like the title of this piece itself -- be simply frozen between the Octave of poems, paralyzed by utter indecision. This ability to choose (or not) symbolizes the spectrum Aislings choose to be on in their belief in Temuair’s ability to renew.
Author’s perspective:
This piece is decidedly much more contemplative from my previous entry, "With Love, From Glioca: Unity in a Shrinking World", where I chose to be unflinchingly hopeful about Temuair. Perhaps I am slightly less naive, now, having interacted with some of the greatest legends of Temuair. Or perhaps it was due to my coming into office as Chancellor of the College (previously Contest Host) and managing the aftermath of it being torn asunder by conflicting perspectives. Or, maybe it has been due to my recent appointment as a Knight of Temuair, where my eyes have only been further opened to the seismic fissures in the land. Let me explain in more detail.
I started drafting this set of poems in the past cycle (Deoch 168-176), by imagining the perspectives of various Aislings – past and present - whom I have had the fortune to meet over the seasons. In absolute, utter despair, I started writing this collection from the bottom after conversing with various Aislings around Chadul's arrival to stifle Temuair of any imagination. The brevity of the latter poems conveys that sense of hopelessness. I finished the piece feeling marginally more hopeful, albeit still confused. This underpinned my decision to present this work to the College for consideration.
Is the Octave frozen in place? Our institutions are, without a doubt, a shade of what it used to be... and yet, I continue to hope audaciously, and see flickering sparks in the stormy seas ahead. I am excited and anxious to hear from all of you, and hope my mixed emotions are telegraphed to you, the Reader, through this collection of poems.
Is the Octave frozen in place? Our institutions are, without a doubt, a shade of what it used to be... and yet, I continue to hope audaciously, and see flickering sparks in the stormy seas ahead. I am excited and anxious to hear from all of you, and hope my mixed emotions are telegraphed to you, the Reader, through this collection of poems.
With fervent hope in my heart,
Merisa Gareth Lightbelle
Deoch 176, Winter
Merisa Gareth Lightbelle
Deoch 176, Winter
Year of Sgrios
Our generation will be known for one of Ennui.
And I refuse to accept that
We represent the best of Aislingkind.
This may come as a revelation, but
An environment filled with wonderful Sparks
Is a myth.
Creativity met its demise in this wasteland of a world.
In ten cycles, young Aislings will learn that
I am prescient, because
Disillusionment
Is better than
Optimism.
In the future,
Temuair will be filled with rote, unimaginative Aislings.
No longer can it be said that
Aislings are dedicated to lifting up the brightest sparks.
It is evident that
This land is extinct in imagination, and
It is foolish to presume that
Creativity and Inspiration can be carefully nurtured to bloom.
(now read from bottom to top)
Nature cannot be saved.
and
Harmony has been cleaved beyond self-repair.
So do not tell me that
Foliage blossoms after a harsh winter
and
Renewal and reconstruction are always possible.
Flawed, and well-meaning.
I cannot ignore that the Mundanes are
Neglectful murderers of Earth-Sea
Mundanes are a deadly virus that afflicts Temuair.
I reject that
Aislings and Mundanes balance one another out
and
Aislings and Mundanes can cooperate.
The land belongs to Aislings only.
We should not be so ignorant to believe that
Aislings and Mundanes can disagree harmoniously.
Mundanes must be expunged from Temuair, so Aislings can take over permanently.
I refuse to believe that
Mundanes can balance the needs of diverse Aislings.
(now read from bottom to top)
Temuair is void of Love.
So, you will never hear me say that
Happiness and Hope are the engines that support our love.
I deeply feel in my soul that
Aisling hearts are hideous and cannot be depended upon.
And that
bigger numbers define my successes in seeding compassion.
I cannot trust that
any small action is meaningful as it is.
I am desperate, tired of being let down by my inadequacies.
This may come as a surprise, but
Danaan’s Light cannot breed in Chadul’s Darkness.
I cannot conclude that
Someone’s else happiness is also mine.
I can never make a difference in Mileth, Rucesion, nor Suomi. =
No longer can I say that
I am treasured, and Temuair is worth battling my heart out for.
(now read from bottom to top)
Our first winter solstice as one
I had been so excited to have
Mundanes
around
I began to sneak
out of Suomi, beyond the aether
And they had a surprise in store… they threw me
a glorious celebration
They sure understand how to spoil
a meek lady!
They called me
In front of all of Temuair
Then they cut me off
In the Mileth College
We commemorated gnosis
Aislings feted our success
During the yuletide season
(now read from bottom to top)
my Dolman of Rucesion dyes
~*~
Year of Deoch:
“Creativity, Diminished”
Our generation will be known for one of Ennui.
And I refuse to accept that
We represent the best of Aislingkind.
This may come as a revelation, but
An environment filled with wonderful Sparks
Is a myth.
Creativity met its demise in this wasteland of a world.
In ten cycles, young Aislings will learn that
I am prescient, because
Disillusionment
Is better than
Optimism.
In the future,
Temuair will be filled with rote, unimaginative Aislings.
No longer can it be said that
Aislings are dedicated to lifting up the brightest sparks.
It is evident that
This land is extinct in imagination, and
It is foolish to presume that
Creativity and Inspiration can be carefully nurtured to bloom.
(now read from bottom to top)
~*~
Year of Cail:
“Harmony, Sundered”
and
Harmony has been cleaved beyond self-repair.
So do not tell me that
Foliage blossoms after a harsh winter
and
Renewal and reconstruction are always possible.
Flawed, and well-meaning.
I cannot ignore that the Mundanes are
Neglectful murderers of Earth-Sea
Mundanes are a deadly virus that afflicts Temuair.
I reject that
Aislings and Mundanes balance one another out
and
Aislings and Mundanes can cooperate.
The land belongs to Aislings only.
We should not be so ignorant to believe that
Aislings and Mundanes can disagree harmoniously.
Mundanes must be expunged from Temuair, so Aislings can take over permanently.
I refuse to believe that
Mundanes can balance the needs of diverse Aislings.
(now read from bottom to top)
~*~
Year of Glioca:
“Compassion, Discarded”
So, you will never hear me say that
Happiness and Hope are the engines that support our love.
I deeply feel in my soul that
Aisling hearts are hideous and cannot be depended upon.
And that
bigger numbers define my successes in seeding compassion.
I cannot trust that
any small action is meaningful as it is.
I am desperate, tired of being let down by my inadequacies.
This may come as a surprise, but
Danaan’s Light cannot breed in Chadul’s Darkness.
I cannot conclude that
Someone’s else happiness is also mine.
I can never make a difference in Mileth, Rucesion, nor Suomi. =
No longer can I say that
I am treasured, and Temuair is worth battling my heart out for.
(now read from bottom to top)
~*~
Year of Gramail:
“Order, Disregarded”
I am a defective fulcrum
And I refuse to believe that
Order and Balance can be restored.
I realize this may come as a bombshell, but
Politics is a rapier to elevate Aisling ethos.
is such a lie
We are powerless in Temuair
Let me be clear:
Once upon a time
Our politics were able to guide and shape our society
But this will never be true in my age
We live in a penitentiary of our own making
Esteemed Aislings tell me
The political system is unable to police itself
No longer can it be said that
Governance can enhance our quality of life
It is unmistakable that
Mundanes have stolen our ability to govern ourselves.
It is ludicrous to believe that
Aislings can be the order we imagined ourselves to be.
(now read from bottom to top)
And I refuse to believe that
Order and Balance can be restored.
I realize this may come as a bombshell, but
Politics is a rapier to elevate Aisling ethos.
is such a lie
We are powerless in Temuair
Let me be clear:
Once upon a time
Our politics were able to guide and shape our society
But this will never be true in my age
We live in a penitentiary of our own making
Esteemed Aislings tell me
The political system is unable to police itself
No longer can it be said that
Governance can enhance our quality of life
It is unmistakable that
Mundanes have stolen our ability to govern ourselves.
It is ludicrous to believe that
Aislings can be the order we imagined ourselves to be.
(now read from bottom to top)
~*~
Year of Luathas:
“Knowledge and Gnosis, Shunned”
I had been so excited to have
Mundanes
around
I began to sneak
out of Suomi, beyond the aether
And they had a surprise in store… they threw me
a glorious celebration
They sure understand how to spoil
a meek lady!
They called me
In front of all of Temuair
Then they cut me off
In the Mileth College
We commemorated gnosis
Aislings feted our success
During the yuletide season
(now read from bottom to top)
~*~
Year of Ceannlaidir:
"Honor, Abandoned”
(1) còig…
(2) ceithir…
(3) trì…
(4) dhà…
(5) aon…
waiting for each second to pass
my irises, fixated on nis
strong hands on me
He raises his
glass
Just then, a smattering of
growling and groaning
Ceann leans closer
into me
At twilight’s end, Ceannlaidir unleashes
Pyrotechnics galore
it’s the beginning of the
New Year
(now read from bottom to top)
Prosperity, in essence, has vanished.
(2) ceithir…
(3) trì…
(4) dhà…
(5) aon…
waiting for each second to pass
my irises, fixated on nis
strong hands on me
He raises his
glass
Just then, a smattering of
growling and groaning
Ceann leans closer
into me
At twilight’s end, Ceannlaidir unleashes
Pyrotechnics galore
it’s the beginning of the
New Year
(now read from bottom to top)
~*~
Year of Fiosachd:
“Prosperity, Vanished”
And I refuse to contemplate that
Mundanes can be compassionate people to deal with.
They only care about the size of their treasury.
It is unreal to consider that
When needed, Mundanes vanish into thin air
and
and
they only cater to the needs of the wealthy.
I also refuse to believe that
Mundanes do solicit our feedback
and
Mundanes care about the creativity of the land.
Consider this:
Aislings do not even bother to help one another, charging exorbitant prices to fresh sparks.
and
We bicker, and fight amongst ourselves, to hoard as much wealth as possible.
I can never agree that
Mundanes can begin to listen to the brighter sparks of the land, beyond those with coin.
(now read from bottom to top)
~*~
Year of Sgrios:
“Decay, Death, Destruction”
Spoiled, truly rotten, in the season of Adoration
On the dinner table
I lay, spread eagled my Dolman of Rucesion dyes
A splash of sticky Oren scarlet, saturates
My lover’s unforgettable punch, memorable to say the least
His smile, so familiar to me, plays on his lips
Then, as if on cue…
Glioca’s moonlight hue disappears, signaling midnight
I prayed for birth, wisdom and renewal
As I uncorked fior srads and Wine
to burn fiercely
We waited for them
New Year’s Day is here
My lover’s unforgettable punch, memorable to say the least
His smile, so familiar to me, plays on his lips
Then, as if on cue…
Glioca’s moonlight hue disappears, signaling midnight
I prayed for birth, wisdom and renewal
As I uncorked fior srads and Wine
to burn fiercely
We waited for them
New Year’s Day is here
We smile in anticipation
(now read from bottom to top, right to the top of the first poem)
(now read from bottom to top, right to the top of the first poem)
~*~
Inspirations
These essays were not directly used in any of my work here, but I was inspired by the content of their words, and/or by the structure and emotion conveyed in their poetry.
Aeife, "Mundane".
Dartanian Lestor, "In the Name of the Goddess".
Etienne Suarven Lorneau, "Rucesion of Mine".
Kedian Ta'Null, "The Octave".
Kedian Ta'Null, "On Order and Chaos".
Merisa Lightbelle, "With Love, From Glioca: Unity in a Shrinking World".
... and through countless conversations with Aislings, both past and present. Thank you for your wisdom, love, and unadulterated thoughts. And to Leanna, my not-so Paramour, my love to you, always.
References
((Cara Batema, “How to Write a Reverse Poem”. https://penandthepad.com/write-reverse-poem-8556361.html. Retrieved December 1, 2020.))
((Cara Batema, “How to Write a Reverse Poem”. https://penandthepad.com/write-reverse-poem-8556361.html. Retrieved December 1, 2020.))