Iphigene Here.
Ever since we started our theme on Science Fiction I had struggled over books to read and review. Never a fan of the genre, I wasn’t so sure I would ever take on the task of reading anything Scifi for our bimonthly theme. Yet, guilt soon took over, thus began my search for a good book to read—something I would at least be able to finish.
In the process of researching, I came across Le Guin’s Award Winning SciFi Novel The Left Hand of Darkness. There is much that can be said of this book, but this is not the time or place. Let it be said though that it has changed my whole perception of the genre. The poem I will be sharing today is the single poem that is found in this book. It is a poem from the Haddara faith of the Karhide people and the source of the novel’s title. Thanks Linda for hosting today’s poetry friday.
Light is the left hand of darkness
and darkness the right hand of light.
Two are one, life and death, lying
together like lovers in kemmer*,
like hands joined together,
like the end and the way
*Note: Kemmer – is a period of sexual receptiveness and high fertility among the Gethen people. It is here where for a moment the androgyny of the Gethen people disappear and one of the two are either Female or Male.
Gathering Books 
I have a copy of the book, but haven’t read it yet. I think I should start reading it very soon. 🙂
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I can’t remember much about it anymore, but I read this once with a group of students who found it fascinating. The imagination of LeGuin is rather amazing. Thanks, Iphigene!
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The books is definitely fascinating and Le Guin never seizes to amaze me.
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Used to enjoy Sci-Fi, but some of it is just too “out there” and I also have trouble finishing it. I’m having trouble finishing any reading lately, though.
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I don’t think I’ll be reading alot of Scifi Donna. I have the same issues as you do, but I won’t shy away from it either. If I do get recommendations for scifi that are similar to le guin’s i just might read it.
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Woah – that’s a different twist…and a new word learned!
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Hi Tara,
Scifi poetry does that…:)
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