deepundergroundpoetry.com
The Circle Game
( After Margaret Atwood )
i
A ringing recess bell—
a door spilling children
onto the playground
as ants fleeing a colony
Each pair of feet
contradict the direction
of the former set
until they encase monkey bars
merry-go-rounds
teeter-totters
slides
Most are carefree, but
not all feel the song;
the moving of joy
as blood and freedom's
marrow hardening their bones
Loners, outcasts
introverts, their faces
hollow wells of fear
cold and deep spaces
beneath surfaced stone
Bullies congregate—
move in for the kill
simply for the joy of it;
their lookout distracting
the teacher; they begin
pecking as a committee
of vultures—roosting
in high and mighty branches
just out of earshot
ii
My father once told me
( when encountering persistent
negativity from a small faction
of individuals )
that continual resistance
could make one physically
and spiritually ill—
such was the force
of constant confrontation
and challenging
beyond reason
bordering on abusive action
He never advocated giving up
though, or walking away—
only that I understood
a force beyond the physical
world, hellbent on pushing forward
despite any obstacle
Oftentimes it moves
with such extreme speed
and reckless violence
that resistance
is the very thing
preventing its downfall
When faced with such a force
stop resisting, bend
as a reed, allowing
it to move over you instead
iii
The teacher has wizened up
spotting the commotion
in the corner
a wake of vultures
ruthless in their feeding
She disperses them
with a swoop
of her hand, unearthing
the ruffled prey;
its tousled hair
and dirty face blank
What remains
is no worse for the wear
having refused to run
but stand their ground
Some children whisper
point and laugh to themselves
before skipping off to play
like nothing ever happened
Others show compassion
their eyes pools of sorrow
as though having firsthand
knowledge of the language
iv
This is what my father meant
by, Bend like a reed
but stand your ground
Observe the extreme speed
and recklessness of it all
crash headfirst into a wall
( only to pick up
its damaged-self
to stomp back home
but not before
blaming everyone else )
While you maintain
your peace, health
and continued growth
You see, this is how you survive
in a world with those
who'd do you harm
You don't take them down—
you stand your ground
bend like a reed
during the tempest they toss
allowing them to pass
Then witness their downfall
via over-confidence
v.
This is a patterned cycle
of the world
until we realize
the illusion of separateness
and that the only people
we truly hurt
by hurting others
is no one
but ourselves
~
i
A ringing recess bell—
a door spilling children
onto the playground
as ants fleeing a colony
Each pair of feet
contradict the direction
of the former set
until they encase monkey bars
merry-go-rounds
teeter-totters
slides
Most are carefree, but
not all feel the song;
the moving of joy
as blood and freedom's
marrow hardening their bones
Loners, outcasts
introverts, their faces
hollow wells of fear
cold and deep spaces
beneath surfaced stone
Bullies congregate—
move in for the kill
simply for the joy of it;
their lookout distracting
the teacher; they begin
pecking as a committee
of vultures—roosting
in high and mighty branches
just out of earshot
ii
My father once told me
( when encountering persistent
negativity from a small faction
of individuals )
that continual resistance
could make one physically
and spiritually ill—
such was the force
of constant confrontation
and challenging
beyond reason
bordering on abusive action
He never advocated giving up
though, or walking away—
only that I understood
a force beyond the physical
world, hellbent on pushing forward
despite any obstacle
Oftentimes it moves
with such extreme speed
and reckless violence
that resistance
is the very thing
preventing its downfall
When faced with such a force
stop resisting, bend
as a reed, allowing
it to move over you instead
iii
The teacher has wizened up
spotting the commotion
in the corner
a wake of vultures
ruthless in their feeding
She disperses them
with a swoop
of her hand, unearthing
the ruffled prey;
its tousled hair
and dirty face blank
What remains
is no worse for the wear
having refused to run
but stand their ground
Some children whisper
point and laugh to themselves
before skipping off to play
like nothing ever happened
Others show compassion
their eyes pools of sorrow
as though having firsthand
knowledge of the language
iv
This is what my father meant
by, Bend like a reed
but stand your ground
Observe the extreme speed
and recklessness of it all
crash headfirst into a wall
( only to pick up
its damaged-self
to stomp back home
but not before
blaming everyone else )
While you maintain
your peace, health
and continued growth
You see, this is how you survive
in a world with those
who'd do you harm
You don't take them down—
you stand your ground
bend like a reed
during the tempest they toss
allowing them to pass
Then witness their downfall
via over-confidence
v.
This is a patterned cycle
of the world
until we realize
the illusion of separateness
and that the only people
we truly hurt
by hurting others
is no one
but ourselves
~
Written by
Ahavati
(Tams)
Published 24th Aug 2021
Author's Note
Based very loosely on Atwood's The Circle Game. This went off in its own direction, and I let it.
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 18
reading list entries 12
comments 31
reads 1095
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
Re. The Circle Game
Anonymous
24th Aug 2021 2:35am
Awe Avahati…….you have no idea how close you’ve come to how growing up was for me…….wow my soul shivered a time or two during reading this……memories of those times still bring me tears……..I have to pull myself from what I felt about myself back then to not creep back and make me feel worthless once again……..brilliantly written my friend…….RL for me…….purple luv & hugs xo :)
1
Re: Re. The Circle Game
25th Aug 2021 2:49pm
Thank you, purple flowered one. I am sorry to hear of your misfortunes as a child. They are certainly not the truth of you or anyone else bullied. They are merely a reflection of the person abusing others.
Much love to you, Lady. xo
Much love to you, Lady. xo
Re. The Circle Game
24th Aug 2021 4:02am
Great contrast between the joy and freedom of recess versus the fear and stress for the different, the weird, the outcasts.
'bend like a reed' Reminds me of the Litany of Fear from Frank Herbert's Dune.
"...Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
'bend like a reed' Reminds me of the Litany of Fear from Frank Herbert's Dune.
"...Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
1
Re: Re. The Circle Game
25th Aug 2021 2:52pm
Dune will always remain one of my favorite books and movies ( 1984 version ). I can't bring myself to watch the remake yet. I suppose I don't want to risk the memory!
"Fear is the mind killer. I must not fear."
Thank you for the comparison.
"Fear is the mind killer. I must not fear."
Thank you for the comparison.
Re. The Circle Game
24th Aug 2021 7:11am
You choose your own direction whether it's good or bad. Keep on writing.
1
Re: Re. The Circle Game
Children don't necessarily have that choice. Bullies hardly ever grow up without a serious wake up call; do they, Francisco?
Re: Re. The Circle Game
25th Aug 2021 8:23pm
Re. The Circle Game
24th Aug 2021 7:50am
This is a perfect sum of that we are not the choices we make but how we respond to the choices made upon us.....
You paint growing up beautifully in this poem
And how we get our of how we grow its our own choice but that will lean mostly upon what choices others made upon you....
Great ink
You paint growing up beautifully in this poem
And how we get our of how we grow its our own choice but that will lean mostly upon what choices others made upon you....
Great ink
1
Re: Re. The Circle Game
25th Aug 2021 2:55pm
Exactly, PoT. It is not action that begets war, but reaction.
Thank you so much for the great comment.
Thank you so much for the great comment.
Re. The Circle Game
24th Aug 2021 11:26am
Such lively imagery, in perceptual explosions of movement & activity.
The words cascaded in selections of cool control.
Just bursting with deep, philosophical insights & exquisite windows.
I thoroughly enjoyed this write.
(I dislike bullies immensely...)
The words cascaded in selections of cool control.
Just bursting with deep, philosophical insights & exquisite windows.
I thoroughly enjoyed this write.
(I dislike bullies immensely...)
2
Re: Re. The Circle Game
25th Aug 2021 2:56pm
Thank you, Cipher. I deeply appreciate that observation. You do have a way with words.
Re. The Circle Game
24th Aug 2021 2:29pm
“Bend like a tree”
I wish I had had that advice during
some particularly difficult teenage years.
As an adult I’ve learned to do just that.
In the end, those who hurt others end up hurting themselves. They are the true losers because they never have any real connections with other people.
Fine piece to ponder.
I wish I had had that advice during
some particularly difficult teenage years.
As an adult I’ve learned to do just that.
In the end, those who hurt others end up hurting themselves. They are the true losers because they never have any real connections with other people.
Fine piece to ponder.
1
Re: Re. The Circle Game
25th Aug 2021 2:59pm
My father was a very wise man who taught me many lessons over games of chess, Eerie. He claims he taught me chess to stay one step ahead of the boys; however, I claim he taught me chess to keep me still for at least an hour so we could talk. lol
The only connection most bullies have are those within the circle of themselves constantly plotting and manipulating the weak-minded. If you truly rise above and think about it, it's truly pitiful how miserable they must be.
Thank you for your time and comment. Much appreciated. xo
The only connection most bullies have are those within the circle of themselves constantly plotting and manipulating the weak-minded. If you truly rise above and think about it, it's truly pitiful how miserable they must be.
Thank you for your time and comment. Much appreciated. xo
Re. The Circle Game
Anonymous
24th Aug 2021 3:11pm
What I see in both poems is an understanding that we ( usually as children ) adopt routines we believe will shield us from unfortunate events, to the point that merely going through the motions is all that is deemed necessary. It becomes so habitual that we are no longer living, like remnants of ourselves on display, in glass rooms so to speak while life goes on about us.
Yours delves further into how the cycle can be broken, even when becoming rigid in a warlike stance seems to be the appropriate course of action, as rigid as a wax figure in a museum.
xo
Yours delves further into how the cycle can be broken, even when becoming rigid in a warlike stance seems to be the appropriate course of action, as rigid as a wax figure in a museum.
xo
1
Re: Re. The Circle Game
25th Aug 2021 3:01pm
The Circle Game by Atwood is one of my favorites of hers. Her imagery is absolutely divine. I loved your observations between the two pieces.
Drama needs drama to survive. A bully needs a victim. Both die without their fuel, and life can carry on beautifully regardless.
Thank you. xo
Drama needs drama to survive. A bully needs a victim. Both die without their fuel, and life can carry on beautifully regardless.
Thank you. xo
Re. The Circle Game
24th Aug 2021 10:57pm
So vivid. I could picture the school scenes, the mixture of childhood innocence and targetted bullying. Thanks for sharing this.
1
Re: Re. The Circle Game
25th Aug 2021 3:02pm
Thank you, Lozzamus. Atwood is a master of imagery, so I am happy I conveyed that, at least.
Re. The Circle Game
25th Aug 2021 00:45am
Re: Re. The Circle Game
25th Aug 2021 3:03pm
Exactly, Paul. Humans as a whole ( sans those who actually care about the planet and others ) are pretty dumb.
Thank you, my friend. xo
Thank you, my friend. xo
Re. The Circle Game
25th Aug 2021 9:56am
Dear A,
Too much…don’t even know where to begin…seems such a simple concept to be kind to each other and yet…so many…cruel…so many hurt…
Eff-ing brilliant write. H🌷
Too much…don’t even know where to begin…seems such a simple concept to be kind to each other and yet…so many…cruel…so many hurt…
Eff-ing brilliant write. H🌷
1
Re: Re. The Circle Game
25th Aug 2021 3:04pm
That is very true, Honoria. It's everywhere, I suppose. Thank you for your keen observation and kind comment. xo
Re. The Circle Game
26th Aug 2021 5:31am
I just read the circle game and its so complex, but going in circles creates complexity that is confusion, the poem really conveys that with its house of mirrors feel. A circle is not a natural motion, but dizzying. The visual descriptions in your poem were just as complex, the narriative as story-like as Atwoods. I pictured reeds of sturdy grass bending to a landing helicopter, a war image. Of course, grass recovers. Where the roots are deep, there is regeneration after trauma. And roots grow best in fertile soil. This is what mirrors don't show. This is a powerful write, so much like Atwood in spirit :)
1
Re: Re. The Circle Game
26th Aug 2021 2:51pm
Thank you, PR. I love Atwood's circle game, and the way you've described it using the mirror-effect is absolutely perfect. I'm happy you were able to relate similarities between the two poems. That means a lot. xo
Re. The Circle Game
26th Aug 2021 6:46pm
I hate to admit I know those children ( both the antagonists n the victims) WELL… unfortunately for me though I was always the victim. Although I’ve never suffered physical harm because they knew I had a HUGE family n all my brothers n sisters would come to my defense, though they I’ve never told them so it never happened. Still, the verbal assault was horrible to endure every time. DEEP, n’ very impacting spillage of ink my sweetness.
1
Re: Re. The Circle Game
26th Aug 2021 7:42pm
I am sorry you've suffered as a child Poetic One. I'm even more happy that you took that suffering and turned it into compassion instead of bitterness and resentment. Thank you for being you, and being here. 🙏💙😊
Re. The Circle Game
27th Aug 2021 00:45am
This is my favourite poem by you in a while. The thematic control and storytelling are nigh on perfect. It’s just a lovely little fable filled with warmth, nostalgia, and wisdom. I can picture the schoolyard, the children and the teacher, and the father teaching the lesson.
1
Re: Re. The Circle Game
27th Aug 2021 1:45am
Thank you, my friend. They're few and far between, but at least I know I'm on the right track regarding poetry! I've lived it all, and my father was the wisest person I knew. xo
Re. The Circle Game
28th Aug 2021 7:48am
Re: Re. The Circle Game
28th Aug 2021 3:40pm
Re: Re. The Circle Game
30th Aug 2021 1:07am