Friday, May 7, 2010

In the Next Life, Canto II, stanzas 28-32

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541
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Well, look who’s coming: good old 59.
I must avoid her; she is to be shunned.
I know she’s evil, and I see her sign,
but wait: Do I see what I see? I’m stunned!

She hasn’t changed her ways; her light is blocked,
but she has given birth, it would appear.
Somehow the gate that we assumed was locked
has been pushed open. Now she’s not so queer!

So how will 59 instruct her young?
Will they be taught, as I was, to refrain
from interfering when the song is sung?
Or will they follow in her evil train?

A lot of it depends, of course, on who
the other parent is, and who prevails,
but she is either younger or bad, too.
Old age is never what virtue entails.

In fact, since I don’t see another near,
it’s likely there has been a tragedy.
So this one will be taught no good, I fear.
She won’t be balanced with morality.

©2010 Louis A. Merrimac

Her sign: Presumably this means the cover over 59’s light.
The song is sung: It appears that the carriers have already attached some mystical significance to reproduction, although they have yet to develop any sort of religion. I think Merrimac got a little ahead of himself here.
Old age: Emphasizing the tradeoff between personal (can we call them persons?) safety and procreation. Also, there’s an assumption here that the elder parent has more influence over the offspring than the younger parent.
Another near: The implication is that the parents stay together after mating, although the red method precludes mating for life. I’d like to know how or why the carriers would learn this behavior. Either it is hardwired into them, which seems unlikely, or the insiders stayed in control for a time after mating in the early generations.

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