The Tangled Branch Discussion Forums

Tangerine Sky

C.S. Lewis foresaw this,
The Head, disembodied,
afloat in a snarl
of tubes and gadgets
that keep it alive--
brainless mainly,
but useful
to its minions
who groom and ego-feed,
tend the machinery,
lay awake 
nights, bathed
in sweat lest
it grow unpredictable 
appendages, rear up
and initiate
the final distraction.

Well, Indar – you write a dystopian nightmare poem.  I see a thumbnail adaptation of That Hideous Strength, a Lewis sci-fi gem, which details social control by a [near] mindless governmental structure.  There is more to this with which I grapple.  

I find some optimism from the title and invocation of Kottomouth Kings, as it seems an invitation to us to “Say goodbye to a tangerine sky say hello say hello to tomorrow. . . .”  I can’t help but equate the ‘tangerine” reference to His Current Incumbancy.  Which invites reference to this– “. . . when you say goodbye / To a tangerine sky you lose your pain lose your fear lose your sorrow. . . .”  So that would be the optimism of the poem.

The text, however, draws a bleak picture.  

I can’t wait to hear Mark weigh in on this. 

Thanks for posting.

Cheers.

T

  What a mood-lifter!  Vera Lynn -- indeed.


 

Do you recognize the song as it was used as part of the score in the movie Dr. Strangelove?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4VlruVG81w

Tracy you got the CS Lewis book, the gist of the KMK lyrics and what I implied by my use of "tangerine" in reference to the great orange one.

No, I missed the Dr. Strangelove reference.  Glad I got some of the other references / allusions / illusions.

I am liking the poem more and more as I read it more.

Cheers.

T

ANother one whose references escaped me but which I enjoyed just for what it is. The message is so loud and clear.
Dave

Thanks Dave,

Good to hear you "got it" without knowing some of the things it refers to.

Love the lang/images.  Made me wanna reread a few times!