The Bloom and the Fall
"The Bloom and the Fall" is the title of a short collection of poetry by the 22nd century author, Aruvan Jafraan and also the name of the first and longest poem within it.
Although there is a conventionally romantic backstory which explains the motive for the composition of the work and undoubtably accounts for much of the public interest (see the history notes later in this article), the poem itself is much more meditative and philosophical in tone than a first time reader might expect. Drawing on the geographical peculiarities of the poet's adopted city, it compares the great cliffs and deep ravines of Highloft with their awe inspiring vistas to the passage of time itself. The triquetra orchid, which flowers everywhere on the plateaux and is cultivated for the special properties of its perfume, provides a metaphor for the insignificance of the individual, beautiful petals often drifting from on high into the airy lowland forest voids to be forgotten forever.
This summary is necessarily an over simplification and might sound trite but the complete work is a sophisticated meditation on the theme of time and the human reaction to loss and change.
A small example of the text of the poem is shown below:-
The orchid bends— a soft curve, not meant to last. Wind cuts through. A hundred flights, a thousand falls. (Who counts them?) A bloom ascends; what foolish glory, what hunger to rise against knowing— the earth waits. Beauty fractures. Time does not pause for us. Its weight presses, grains of sand— slow but sharp. We build our thrones on cracks, mask ourselves, hide the rot, pretend. But the fall— always, the fall— is truth.
Historical Details
Background
In 2097 APC, the poet Aruvan Jafraan was banished from Katrapetch by the Raja, Samiraj Azamdar and went to live in the rapidly growing southern city of Highloft where he would remain for the rest of his life.
Before her marriage to the ruler, the old Raja's young third wife, Jahanara Azamdar was rumoured to have had a passionate relationship with Aruvan Jafraan. The poet's exile was imposed by Samiraj to avoid potential future scandal and gossip in the Court Circle.
In 2108 APC, news of Jahanara's tragic death in childbirth reached Highloft and some time shortly afterwards, Aruvan Jafraan began work on the poem for which he would become famous.
Aruvan Jafraan at Highloft by DMFW with Leonardo AI
Jahanara Azamdar by DMFW with Leonardo AI
History
The work was composed at the end of 2108 APC and the beginning of 2109 APC and was published on 7th Tivith, 2109 APC.
Language(s)
Equinu
Type
Text, Literary (Novel/Poetry)
Medium
Paper
Authoring Date
7th Tivith, 2109 APC
Location
Authors
Aruvan Jafraan Portrait by DMFW with Leonardo AI
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