I'm a Poe fan. That's Edgar Allan Poe. Eldorado is one of my favorite poems of all time.
Why? Well, as with most poems, it is a metaphor for what ever you want it to be (regardless of what the author intended it to mean). Eldorado has two definitions: A legendary kingdom of enormous wealth for anyone who can find it; and an unattainable idea.
Some say that the gallant knight represents the author and his search for peace, his nirvana. Some say the knight represents the transcendentalist movement of Poe's time. Some say the poem is about each of us living our lives and trying to find where we fit in. That many of us grow old and never find our "Eldorado" — that place where we belong.
Maybe Poe is telling us not to waste our time. Not to chase shadows — those things that are unattainable. Of course, it could simply mean when your time comes, man up to it and ride boldly to your demise.
But I like to think of it in a more optimistic light. That after years of searching and hard work trying to obtain his goal, God sends the gallant knight an angel (the pilgrim shadow) to show him the way. Only now, in his older years is the knight ready to ask for help. And only now is he ready to listen. It's no time to give up now. If you want to achieve your dream sometimes you have to descend into the valley of the shadow. Just remember to ride, boldly ride ...
ELDORADO by Edgar Allan Poe
Gaily bedight,
A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.
But he grew old--
This knight so bold--
And o'er his heart a shadow
Fell as he found
No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.
And, as his strength
Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow--
"Shadow," said he,
"Where can it be--
This land of Eldorado?"
"Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied,--
"If you seek for Eldorado!"
THE KONA LIFE: Living, working and training on the Big Island of Hawaii. Now, living, working, training, playing guitar and drawing on the mainland, just like everyone else.
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2 comments:
Maybe Poe means Hope, Hope Hard, never give up Hope, and if you have given up all Hope, then find that dim light of Hope and Hope some More. I Hope this makes sense, I Hope so, I hope not, I hope I hope I hope
Hey Randy I don't think that Deb's wisdom has left what do you think?? You guys can always think of such poetic things to say. By the way did you get the email on the virus thats going around on computers from me??? If not let me know because its the worse one ever. Oh yea!!!! About this house swap thing when and how sounds like a deal to me.
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