Literature clues: 5 Pentacles

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Jun 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

firemaiden	10 Jun 2003
Well, Rebelhorse, I ought to be encouraging you to do your own clue! And I certainly can't pretend to know how its done. But you've got me in a moment of vanity, so I can't resist taking you up on it. So here goes. The Geranium When I put her out, once, by the garbage pail, She looked so limp and bedraggled, So foolish and trusting, like a sick poodle, Or a wizened aster in late September, I brought her back in again For a new routine-- Vitamins, water, and whatever Sustenance seemed sensible At the time: she'd lived So long on gin, bobbie pins, half-smoked cigars, dead beer, Her shriveled petals falling On the faded carpet, the stale Steak grease stuck to her fuzzy leaves. (Dried-out, she creaked like a tulip.) The things she endured!-- The dumb dames shrieking half the night Or the two of us, alone, both seedy, Me breathing booze at her, She leaning out of her pot toward the window. Near the end, she seemed almost to hear me-- And that was scary-- So when that snuffling cretin of a maid Threw her, pot and all, into the trash-can, I said nothing. But I sacked the presumptuous hag the next week, I was that lonely. ---- Theodore Roethke If you have an idea what the card is, when you state your card, tell me what in the poem made you think of your card. ;)

allibee	10 Jun 2003
Well, there's a few cards in that entertaining poem: there is a nurturing aspect, there is suffering aspect, but overall I see a somewhat aloof, almost regal aspect. I think for my first guess I'll go for the Queen Swords. There is the astuteness in her **cutting** description of the lowly flower in the first verse. The vocabulary describes the 'sustenance' of the flower, as opposed to any loving or nuturing relationship. Quite an observance, rather than an affair of mutual caring. Then there is this description of a joint suffering in the second verse, with a hint of aloneness. Again we have that aloofness, that emotional distance to something, brought about by the snivelling servant. Lastly, the tone in the last two lines ... very regal and befitting the Queen of Swords! A.

firemaiden	11 Jun 2003
oooooh. Very nice analysis Allibee! I must admit, I hadn't thought of the Queen of Swords, you almost convinced me. What other cards do you see fitting the poem?

allibee	11 Jun 2003
Nuturing and reliving the 'feelings' of the potted one... Q. Cups Suffering.... 5 Pentacles But there is also an overwhelming sense of regret and a longing for what once was ...... 5 Cups? A.

firemaiden	11 Jun 2003
Yes, Allibee, I was originally thinking about the 5 of pentacles. All of your other answers make a lot of sense too. Isn't it a funny poem? Okay. Now YOUR TURN!!!!

allibee	11 Jun 2003
I thought it was a WONDERFUL poem, Firemaiden back soon.... A.

BoomVoom	12 Jun 2003
that was a lovely poem firemaiden!!!

The Literature clues: 5 Pentacles thread was originally posted on 10 Jun 2003 in the Tarot Games & Fun board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Games & Fun, or read more archived threads.