poem

[ladorada]

this is part of a poem by peter ackroyd. my question is: what's the meaning of the line 'in the middle of stones' ? I have some ideas, but I don't wish to influence your answers.

the inner light
is also a sign
of peace among men
in the middle of stones

which beckon to you

like a child's drawing
life isn't a gamble
life isn't tragedy
life isn't really anything

[mightywease]

Interesting - my first thought was to do with stone cirles and fire - how the light of a fire beckons to you, it is associated with warmth, comfort, home and also with ritual which links it in with a stone circle - people coming together to celebrate i.e solticse (sorry, excuse spelling, mine is terrible!) using fire as a symbol of rebirth, of cleansing and the fact that people together in celebration can be a form of peace, understanding etc..

It's all a bit vague I am afraid but the image that came into my head upon reading those lines were a stone circle, such as Stonehenge, lit by a fire in the centre with people standing in silent communion together and I, as a watcher, was outside but wanting to move closer.

[starmack]

i ladorada
The run on line is "in the middle of stones...which beckon to you..." Could it suggest Life's obstaces/tasks/challenges. Could it refer to the call to violence, which is within us as a primal instinct and which can reduce we know (try to build) to ashes and ruins????
I like the poem. I dont know it or its context.

P.S. The exp;anaiton offered above also occured to me...but nowhere near as precise ad well written as it is offered.

[starmack]

Hi ladorada
There is a song written by Peter Case "Hidden love," ehich also refers to a "child's painting" and to 'someone seeing the dreams we all hide......'