Beyond the castle walls the kingdom flourishes,
while old Quixote simmers within, no freedom
to seek out maidens or threaten windmills
with his lance. Even Sancho, a redundant serf,
has given up, his pot belly ever swelling
with undigested food and unspoken proverbs.
Inside the castle, the air stagnates with heroes’
breath, while outside nature flourishes.
Kim M. Russell, 6th May 2020
My response to the earthweal weekly challenge: Modernity’s Hero Quest
This week Brendan writes about beautiful weather and the confusing behaviour of both pandemic and human, neither of which behaves as it should, with equally confusing information from the media – and the desire to name an antagonist.
The weekly challenge is a tricky one: If you could speak for a global persona—modernity as hero—what would his/her task be in this changed new world, the travel and trials, the treasure and its rewards? Have pandemic and climate change turned the kingdom into a wasteland, if so, what is it that can heal the aging king/queen and restore the land to vitality?
writing in north norfolk 
Now THAT is a prompt and a half and I salute you for undertaking to address it, which you have done exceedingly well. My lance is lowered. Great work, KR.
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Thanks Ron!
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Good writing, Kim. I’ve read it a few times now, and I love the image of the old knight and his squire stuck inside – no adventuring. The greed and platitudes of Sancho are mentioned in passing, but perhaps they’re the most important thing in this poem? Without our greed the world can flourish.
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Cheers Sarah!
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Swelling with unspoken proverbs…what a perfect description! (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe!
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So beautifully done – sending the heroes into time out so the world can get on with its flourishing.
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Thank you, Lindi!
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Ha, the king locked inside the castle while, outside, nature recovers. Perfect! Sort of what is happening now, though everyone is anxious to get back out there and keep on doing what got us to this place. Sigh. Wonderful, Kim!
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Thank you, Sherry!
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Ha, the king locked inside the castle while, outside, nature recovers. Perfect! Sort of what is happening now, though everyone is anxious to get back out there and keep on doing what got us to this place. Sigh. Wonderful, Kim!
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Thank you, Sherry
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What do we do with the old myths but turn the page? Quioxte’s windmills are now turbines, his lance dripping with geopolitics. All we have to do is turn the page. Thoughtful reply to the challenge. – Brendan
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Thank you, Brendan.
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Ah, I thought better of this duo–especially the Don–but when you contrast their comedic corrective to our culture with the real work of nature, you are right! I yelled, YES! You say so much in so few words that I totally love this poem!
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Thank you, Susan!
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I love your vision and the insightful way you have written of these times. The metaphor of don Quixote works perfectly… and what a fabulous prompt. I am going to have to pay Brendan a visit and read more of what he has to say.
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Brendan’s commentary on climate change and the corona virus pandemic is interesting and enlightened. The prompts are thought-provoking and can be quite tricky. I’ve only recently joined in and I intend to keep visiting and linking up poems. It would be great to see you there, Suzanne.
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Yes, I really liked what he had to say. It’s such a pleasure to find such thought provoking prompts. Like you I will be visiting his site again. Thanks for introducing me to it.
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🙂
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oh, I really like this, Kim ~
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Thank you so much, Michael!
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