Great Regulars: Some philosophers thought that God's relationship

with black folk had been especially worthy of equivocation. How could a kind, well-meaning God allow some of His children to be held in such low regard by so many of His other children?

But this speaker has a different take from those who want to equivocate about God. If God is so unjust with black folk, why would be allow "this curious thing:/To make a poet black, and bid him sing"?

from Linda Sue Grimes: Suite101.com: Cullen's Yet Do I Marvel

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In the opening quatrain of sonnet 122, the speaker declares that his gift of poetry, which is represented in tablets "full character'd," is also part of his "brain," that is, they abide "with lasting memory." He expands his memory's ability retain the love that inspired his works "even to eternity."

The speaker insists that the mental imprint of his poems will remain in his memory, even without his having the physical replicas in his presence.

from Linda Sue Grimes: Suite101.com: Shakespeare Sonnet 122

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The speaker understands that the nature of humankind includes the act of creation, which has no limits. From the creation of little songs, or sonnets, to the enormous ingenuity that brought forth the pyramids, there exists a constant stream of creativity.

The artist's work does not change with "Time" as other human activity does. The artist's creations result from the artist's self, because they are manifestations of the creative soul. While the physical body and even the mind may come under Time's sway, the soul does not.

from Linda Sue Grimes: Suite101.com: Shakespeare Sonnet 123

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The second verse paragraph grows into a chant: "You may hide behind the ocean,/You may hide behind delusion,/You may hide behind life." The speaker demonstrates in his refrain the nature of Maya delusion that hides the Blessed One from the speaker's sense awareness. It seems that the Divine is hiding everywhere, behind every form from the gemstones to the bodies of all humans.

from Linda Sue Grimes: Suite101.com: Yogananda's Breathe in Me

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