Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Ariadne's Thread (Poem)

Ariadne's Thread

Find in love's
labyrinth what binds:
doubled threads,
knots of trials,
errors, options. Secure lines
back through hearts' recall.

© 2011 Maureen E. Doallas
____________________________

"Ariadne's thread" is a term used by cavers for the safety line that helps them find their way back to the surface.  

In legend, Ariadne gave Theseus a ball of red thread to unwind and so find his way out of the Labyrinth after killing the Minotaur that resided there. In so doing, she gave him the gift of confidence to go into the unknown.

Fascinatingly, the term also has a number of other applications, delineated here, including the Labyrinth Project, which allows Internet users to make an Ariadne's thread to find their way through all the online information about a particular field of study and always be able to return "home".

* * * * *

I offer this poem, in Shadorma form, for the One Shot Wednesday event at One Stop Poetry, which each week invites poets to read, share, and comment on each other's work.

16 comments:

Louise Gallagher said...

I'm loving your exploration of the Shadorma form -- and how you weave mythology into information to create such beauty.

S. Etole said...

This is intriguing ... I can visualize that "red thread".

Brian Miller said...

and of course that line leads back to the heart...that more of them could remain unbroken...

Jenne' R. Andrews said...

Hi Maureen-- I love these shorter poems... these are beautiful lines--
"...doubled threads,
knots of trials,
errors, options.."

Each image there could launch its own poem with more concretion-- How resonant and interesting-- Ariadne's Thread... xj

Unknown said...

tightly crafted poem that creates a picture I want to explore

Leslie said...

i love the imagery in your poem... and would wish for all to know this

"Secure lines
back through hearts' recall."

Pat Hatt said...

Great use of words to create vivid imagery, nice poem.

mark said...

Short poems resonate with me. They say much in few words.

I particularly enjoyed the added notes that went with the poem. Great stuff...

Beachanny said...

The poem stands alone without references as a beautiful work of art, but fleshed out with the classical and practical allusions it resonates even more. Excellent as always, Maureen. Thank you.

Glynn said...

What is that thread, that rope, that allows us to find our way through the labyrinth? Wonderful poem, Maureen.

Divya said...

amazing Maureen..
I wonder how you are able to write such beautiful lines in Shadorma format :)

Elizabeth Young said...

This is a wise poem about attempts to secure our hearts. Although I know we attempt this, I wonder if it's ultimately possible... lovely poem Maureen.

Ann Grenier said...

Beautiful rendering in Shadorma form of the intriguing myth of the Labyrinth. This form allows us to pare down to essentials.

Anonymous said...

Great form for this. Labyrinths tend to be long and winding, yet the form is short and pyramidal. Fascinating! And wondrously clear in the telling of all that love is.

Laura Lynn said...

I love how powerful statements can be said with such few words. You owned this style with this poem.

"Secure lines
back through hearts' recall."

love those words

Laura Lynn said...

I love how powerful statements can be said with such few words. You owned this style with this poem.

"Secure lines
back through hearts' recall."

Love those words