cogito ergo sum
carried by blood
to the place i hear words
not spoken but dropped
between the ears
before i wake today.
Descartes dreamed
as eyes open is tricky–
i am uncertain these words
capture my i-ness
the way sum ergo diligo would
if i dreamed dead languages often.
diligo diligi dilige diligiamo diligete diligono
i think; therefore i am.
i am; therefore i love,
because what flowers
under this skin
sweeter than jasmine
only night-blooming
has petals that dissolve
in sunlight. impossible
to press for scent or study
as the mind leaves
these fields of secrets;
bright poppies weaving
a brilliance
bitter on the edges.
i need to drink deep.
i think; therefore i love.
i love; therefore i am.
this passion. this thirst
for whatever is given can never be met
part-way, half-assed, only on the weekends
and stored under the bed or on the closet floor
in boxes.
i am; therefore i think.
i think; therefore i love:
and that love covers
page after page after page
unmetered and raw
written
to this earth and everything
sum, ergo credo
***the rudimentary latin in this is first cogito ergo sum=I think, therefore I am; sum ergo diligo = I am, therefore I love; sum, ergo credo = I am, therefore I believe. The diligo/diligi/dilige/diligiamo/diligete/diligono is a present tense conjugation of diligere, the Latin verb for to respect, to esteem, to love.
Day 12: Where passion resides.
Passionate and cerebral. I like how you make the distinction between thinking and loving and how while one leads to the other, they are still separate.
Thanks, David–spot on!
Another great share!
Oh, thank you!
Thanks
I can’t say I have ever dreamed a Latin phrase before.
LOL that’s what makes it so amazing!
Just want to soak it up. Shared some lines + link on fb.
Georgia–thank you so much!
Okay, this one should be a song. A long beating song with a heavy guitar solo in it and the Latin parts chanted in the background.
oh, that would be really, really cool.
Make it happen, Daniels. I would help but I have the musical talent of something that just skittered under the fridge.
Hah–me too, but I do know a songwriter or two…
Get on it, Daniels. Get on it.
Wow, I really love this one! Wanted to comment before getting back to reading it again and again. The feeling is amazing, and I have a soft spot for Latin.
Thanks so much, Marijoella! Nice to “meet” you.
Oh call me Mari. : ) Nice to “meet” you to, and your blog! I’ll be sure to visit again.
Will do, Mari!
great use of language in this really liking it
Thanks, Bruce–I never had a dream in Latin before. hah. Did not think I knew enough of it for my brain to dredge out a phrase…
I really loved this….so much yum! Things to think on, feel on and learn….a triple threat! =D
oh, goodness, thanks much. Still wonder why I dreamed in Latin…
I loved reading this Susan again and again…found myself in your lines and I have no ability to read Latin and yet it spoke to me, clearly, and deeply & magically.
Teresa, thank you. I am so glad it did speak to you.
How lovely just to stop for a moment in the rush of the day to read a poem that links so beautifully the body with the mind. The opening suggests thoughts on wakening, the second part says such awareness can never “be stored under the bed” or saved “for weekends”; and the closing is almost indescribable, the writing down to the earth, connecting all. Beautiful.
Beth–thank you. Last night, before I went to sleep, I saw today’s prompt, and asked my mind, right before I fell asleep, to think about what I was most passionate about, and the thought immediately flashed in my mind that I am in love with the world, and every poem I write is a love letter to the world and those inhabiting her. I went to sleep, and right before I woke up, that Latin phrase popped up in my mind. This was the result. So glad you liked it.
My gosh, the places you go, the things you bring back, and all in your head.
Nelle–thanks. Waking up to latin a la Descartes–who would think that could happen?
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This is simply amazing.
Goodness, Celestine, thanks!
Rene Descartes meets Susan Daniels, Rationalism fuses with the emotions, and gets enriched!
Imagine waking up to “cogito ergo sum” humming in your mind, when you never took Latin! The mind is a strange & wonderful thing.
love it…this has a great beat….that whole bit about the flowers…woo i love it….the scent and texture…the rhyme through there is tight…love the latin as well….i am there fore i love for sure…
Brian, thank you! This poem is what happens when you wake up with Latin in your head
very cool…capture my i-ness
the way sum ergo diligo would
if i dreamed dead languages often…..i love..
Claudia, thank you!
Beautiful, a great share.
Thanks, Ayala–glad you liked.
Wow Susan… this is an amazing write. I love the way the past flows into the present and shows how love and logic are both necessary to survive.
Really lovely read Susan.
Oh, thanks so much! Glad you liked, and I agree–they are both needed in equal measure at different times
This was impressive. I loved the way you used Latin… and the message
i am; therefore i think.
i think; therefore i love
is worthy in ANY language.
Aw, Mary, thank you!
words
not spoken but dropped
between the ears
these fall that way–the poem feels that it could indeed preface that many pages.
Thanks so much–I feel like I could write a 30-volume love letter to the world…hmmm. Perhaps a chapbook?
I love this: “carried by blood to the place i hear words”
Thank you so much!
Susan, this is lovely and life-affirming. The sprinkling of Latin adds a very nice to touch to the piece. This is my first time reading your writing. I will be looking for you on the dVerse trail. Nice work.
Pamela
Pamela, thank you so much–nice to meet you!