Just as the Waybreak tinerans risk their lives by trekking across a barren plateau, the Riverfolk risk a summer mountain torrent even though there are a few wrecks per century although most lives are saved. Jao tells Ivar:
"'The danger is part of the ritual...'" (p. 178)
OK. It is becoming consistent that Aeneans value life by risking its loss, as in James Bond's imperfect haiku:
"You only live twice,
"Once when you are born and once
"When you look death in the face."
(Something could be done to shorten that third line.)
Dominic Flandry's philosophy is similar. He does not just defend civilization in order to enjoy its benefits. He also enjoys the struggle.
6 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Eliminating that second "once" in the second line of Bond's imperfect haiku would shorten it a bit.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
But a haiku is 3 lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables, respectively.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Unlike Anderson, I'm not a poet. He might have recast Bond's imperfect haiku more satisfactorily.
Ad astra! Sean
Kaor, Paul!
I was too hasty, how about this for the third line: "Death comes face to face." Not very good but still five syllables.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
That is the right approach but I still think you need the word, "when."
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
How about this for the third line: "When you face death twice"? It has five syllables and has that "When."
Ad astra! Sean
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