Chicago at night photo (Ken Lund)‘Dim & Blinding Lights’: A Poem by Dan Davis The Society March 28, 2025 Culture, Poetry 5 Comments . Dim & Blinding Lights The lights that shine from streets and cities block out all the stars at night. The dim lights of our partial science block out everything that’s wise. These lights don’t triumph by their brightness, but through sheer proximity. We don’t prefer them for their beauty, but for plain utility. . . Dan Davis lives in Southeast Michigan working as a financial professional. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. 5 Responses Margaret Coats March 28, 2025 Just brilliant, Dan. The pairing of city lights with lights that come from “partial science” is a surprise to begin with, but these two seeming “unlikes” are perceptively allied and analyzed in the latter half of the poem. And the meter is deftly handled by recognizing that any unstressed syllable ending a line may be followed by a stress to begin the next. Thus you achieve a logical sort of rhyme with repetitions of “block” and “but.” There is, as well, a songlike music of long “i” sounds in the first five lines, that ceases appropriately after the first “but.” Very well done! Reply Dan Davis March 28, 2025 Your praise is as good a teacher as any critique! Thank you for your kind words and your analysis, I will be sure to retain these things and grow in them. Reply Paul A. Freeman March 29, 2025 Just like marveling at the wonder of the Grand Canyon, we have the millions of years of patient erosion to thank for the sight. It took a couple of reads to get there, Dan. Perhaps a line break after the first four lines would help the reader. Thanks for the read. Reply Joseph S. Salemi March 29, 2025 Paul, I agree. A line break after line 4 would be the perfect touch. Reply Dan Davis March 29, 2025 I appreciate the feedback, and I agree, a line break is fitting. Glad you enjoyed it! Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Margaret Coats March 28, 2025 Just brilliant, Dan. The pairing of city lights with lights that come from “partial science” is a surprise to begin with, but these two seeming “unlikes” are perceptively allied and analyzed in the latter half of the poem. And the meter is deftly handled by recognizing that any unstressed syllable ending a line may be followed by a stress to begin the next. Thus you achieve a logical sort of rhyme with repetitions of “block” and “but.” There is, as well, a songlike music of long “i” sounds in the first five lines, that ceases appropriately after the first “but.” Very well done! Reply
Dan Davis March 28, 2025 Your praise is as good a teacher as any critique! Thank you for your kind words and your analysis, I will be sure to retain these things and grow in them. Reply
Paul A. Freeman March 29, 2025 Just like marveling at the wonder of the Grand Canyon, we have the millions of years of patient erosion to thank for the sight. It took a couple of reads to get there, Dan. Perhaps a line break after the first four lines would help the reader. Thanks for the read. Reply
Joseph S. Salemi March 29, 2025 Paul, I agree. A line break after line 4 would be the perfect touch. Reply
Dan Davis March 29, 2025 I appreciate the feedback, and I agree, a line break is fitting. Glad you enjoyed it! Reply
