For Random Learning Comes: Essays Fiction and Poetry by Andrea LeDew
For Random Learning Comes
For Random Learning Comes: Essays Fiction and Poetry by Andrea LeDew
I’m steps away
From where I was,
From where I was before;
Yet miles away
From stardom,
People knocking down my door.
I’m miles away from who I was:
A novice, and a child.
But steps away,
From where I’ll be,
When I lay down, to die.
No closer, now,
To what I want,
Than when I first began;
Yet, ever, ever closer
To that humble fate
Of Man.
Copyright 2019 Andrea LeDew
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Ever since I first learned about it in school, I’ve always found the notion of hubris fascinating. It explains so much about the world we live in. I enjoyed your poem’s particular take on it.
I found two definitions of hubris, one, the usual meaning of excessive pride or self-confidence, and the other, the Greek meaning of excessive pride toward or defiance of the gods (Oxford,)
Oedipus Rex, the Greek play from high school English class comes to mind. Defying the words of the Oracle, Oedipus propels himself in a different direction, and yet, nonetheless, goes on to carry out his fate, murdering his father and marrying his mother (spoiler alert!😊). Thinking he can outwit the gods, he carries out their will.
American mythology is very pro-hubris. The idea of making ones own way, rather than accepting Fate, is an American ideal.
And then there is the Christian, (but non-Calvinist) notion of free will, implying that man has absolute choice over his own actions, despite God’s plan and foreknowledge of all things (wrap your head around that!). This belief makes pride in ones own accomplishments and taking credit for ones own fame (or infamy)more palatable in the modern world than perhaps it was in ancient Greece.
Pride comes before the fall, as they say. But a fall implies an ascent to great power or fame, like that of Oedipus.
If one does not live up to ones dreams or never receives recognition for ones so-called accomplishments, pride can turn in upon itself, and become a source of pain and self-loathing,
Today, I think the world of social media predicates its very existence upon this universal desire to be “known.”
But were we to take away, or at least tamp down the fire of that desire–the structure would fall apart, and individual suffering might be much diminished.
Social media is definitely fueled by hubris, to our detriment, sadly.
Marvelous!
Oh thank you Brad!