At age of five became I blind
Bad nerves to blame that made me scream
Cursed I our God for act unkind
Yet all, my friend, ’twas not as seemed
The act upon heaped thoughts unkind
Turned out to have a brighter theme
Through haunts did stray the other five
To caves of dreams with golden seams
Each night I searched through halls of brine
To find fine gleams of mortal schemes
Of mine and of which beasts aligned
To trade for rank in Rule’s regime
I sit here now, a wunderkind
Thick robe of silk, in high esteem
Commander of foul masterminds
From damaged to dark Seraphim
image: “The Dowager Empress Cixi” (Tzu Hsi) by Hubert Vos.
Reblog of a poem written awhile back with Empress Dowager Cixi in mind. Read more about her here.
Brendan is today’s host of earthweal. Brendan says:
I think that is something to celebrate, and why I’m calling this challenge A FEAST OF EARTH FOOLS. Humantide’s passing is upon us: the doors are opening for the extinct and the marginalized to enter our walled city and turn things upside down. For a poem, at least.
Tao Talk 
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Love it! ❤ great job on it!
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Thank you very much, Carol anne. She went from a child, sold by her parents, to be a concubine, and rose to be empress. Talk about turning things topsy turvy!
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It is just amazing, you portrayed her very well 💗💗
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What a story. You told it well.
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Thank you, Suzanne.
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Interesting history Li.
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yes, very!
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The twists and turns of fate!
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‘From damaged to dark Seraphim’ – what a transformation! I enjoyed this poem very much.
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Thank you and glad you enjoyed it, Ingrid.
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Your words are as haunting as the painting. (K)
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Thank you, K.
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I wanted to let you know that your link on earthweal mr. linky doesn’t work–you should fix it.
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Thanks for letting me know!
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Wonderfully done! From concubine to empress – what a story!
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Thanks Sherry!
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A haunting story, Lisa. What a rise to ‘Commander of foul masterminds / From damaged to dark Seraphim’. You’ve captured the essence of the stern woman in the portrait.
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Feminism at its most potent but at its most terrifying. Extremes seldom work for long. Thank you for reading and your insightful comments, Kim.
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There is much lore about how the greatest poets in the ancient Celtic lore were born blind, dumb or ugly — horrifically so — until their initiation and transformation into radiance. the least becomes greatest. It’s a great fish of a trope to ride as you do here. Thanks for sharing it at earthweal. – Brendan
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Brendan, thank you for seeing and seeing a context of validation. “A great fish of a trope” love that. Much appreciated. You are welcome.
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