Facade

Facade

Saying the words

Declaring the changes

Making decisions

So brave

So self assured

So much unspoken pain

strong is its own punishment

C2024 Noreen Braman

Along the Road

  

Along the Road

 

On the ribbon of road I’ve traveled,

in my mind I left behind monuments.

Beacons of light and hope and example

for those rising up behind me.

But the road is aged, decaying,

and the monuments are just rubble.

Some rocks tossed from my pockets,

worthless scraps in barren fields.

One day the tears may come

to water the trail of dry and dusty seeds

and flowers will trace the remains of a path

being traversed by those who never knew me.

 

©2024 Noreen Braman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No Reply Is A Reply

 

 

No Reply is a Reply

the email came from "no-reply,"

and indeed it was a "No" reply.

usual thanks and regrets 

"keeping you on file"

unimportant bits on their drive

that circles the drain 

of the digital trash can

electronically shredding the no-replies.

 ©2024 Noreen Braman

Hamlet Wasn't Done With Me

 

I knew Hamlet was not done with me. This week, the “slings and arrows” have been targeting me. Allergic reaction to medicine, unresolved claim for storm damage to my house, and a massive mistake at work. My resilience now looks like a splat on the highway. And while I can’t manage to find the humorous middle of this bitter candy, maybe Hamlet and Chat GPT can give me some guidance.

 

Write a 300 word article on How does Hamlet manage the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune?” Does he find humor?

Chat GPT:

Hamlet, the tragic hero of William Shakespeare's renowned play, grapples with the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" in a way that reflects the complexity of his character. This famous line from Hamlet's soliloquy in Act 3, Scene 1, encapsulates his philosophical contemplation on the hardships of life.

Throughout the play, Hamlet encounters numerous challenges, from the sudden death of his father to the betrayal of his mother and uncle. These adversities provoke Hamlet's introspection and internal conflict, leading him to question the nature of existence and the meaning of life. Despite the weight of his circumstances, Hamlet's coping mechanism is not rooted in humor but rather in a profound sense of melancholy and existential angst.

Hamlet's wit, however, serves as a defense mechanism and a way to navigate the treacherous waters of the Danish court. His clever wordplay and sarcastic comments offer a veneer of humor that conceals his true emotions. This humor is not lighthearted, but rather a form of bitter irony that reflects Hamlet's disillusionment with the world around him.

Hamlet's encounters with the gravediggers in Act 5, Scene 1, provide a notable example of his use of humor in the face of mortality. Despite the grim setting of a graveyard and the impending tragedy, Hamlet engages in witty banter with the gravediggers. This seemingly morbid humor highlights Hamlet's ability to find irony even in the most somber situations.

Ultimately, Hamlet's journey is marked by a profound sense of tragedy and a lack of resolution. While he may use humor as a tool for social commentary and as a shield against his inner turmoil, it does not provide a genuine escape from the harsh realities he faces. Hamlet's quest for truth and justice is a tumultuous one, and his complex character leaves audiences pondering the intricacies of human nature and the enduring impact of life's adversities.

 

I'm doomed.