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The Canute Stratagem - Flash Poem

by James Graham 

Posted: 10 May 2008
Word Count: 104


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The Canute Stratagem

Well, here we are on the rugged
windswept cliffs again. And there’s
the big old ocean. Wow.

It is itself. It is nothing to do with us.
It has autonomy and power big-time.

It was here before h. habilis, before
erectus. It was pounding coasts
before h. sapiens, and will be after.

But there’s one trick we have, us homo saps,
the one Canute got wrong. Find out the time
of the high tide, go down to the beach,

command the ocean to retreat. Do try
to sound as if you mean it. It
will take its time, but will obey.






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Comments by other Members



Nella at 08:39 on 11 May 2008  Report this post
This is powerful, James. I think it says volumes about us human beings. And I like your tongue-in-cheek humour. Great poem!
Robin

joanie at 22:54 on 12 May 2008  Report this post
Hi James, it's too late for the Flash Poetry comp, but I laughed aloud at this! I loved the trendy language at the beginning: Well... Wow... big-time. Then I just adored the closing lines!

Brilliant, subtle humour. Excellent.

joanie

James Graham at 15:41 on 13 May 2008  Report this post
Thanks for your comments, Robin and Joanie. Ah, but...there's a flaw. 'It is nothing to do with us'??? It's where we came from. It's our Great Mother!

James.


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