Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning will take until summer

to address the mess I've made

and weaning myself from the somnambulant slumber

I''ve been in for a long decade. 

The last breakfast beer this morning.

Yesterday the end of playing with fired.

I know I've run through stop signs and warnings

enough that my get out of jail card's expired. 

One thing and day at a time.

Pick shit off the floor and start scrubbing.

Do not return to the scenes of the crime

like a derelict into the drubbing

that ends at last in the burning

of the bridge back to the rope

to which I have been too long returning

like a hack stand-up comic to his tired trope.

I'm wobbly, winded and weak as a wuss.

My thinking is foglost, my emotions erratic.

I've fallen from the shove that comes from the push

required to stir action from addict. 

And just this morning the loud red alert 

in the form of a sign with obvious meaning.

Stop Stupid Now or I'm going to get hurt

and start digging in the dirt of Spring Cleaning.

Yi 52: trouble avoided because i heed this morning's warning

 A Jonas moment. Thank God he didn't look up and see me. But it's the Red Flag Alert I needed. 

Other titles: The Symbol of Stepping Carefully, Cautious Treading, Proceeding Cautiously, Watch Your Step, Proceed at Your Own Risk

Line-5

Legge: The fifth line, dynamic, shows the resolute tread of its subject. Though he be firm and correct, there will be peril.

Wilhelm/Baynes: Resolute conduct. Perseverance with awareness of danger.

Blofeld: He treads delicately. Persistence could lead to trouble.

Liu: Continue in a decisive manner. Danger. [There is now a tendency to rush and be careless. By all means stop this, or troubles will mount and disaster will come.]

Shaughnessy: Resolute treading; determination is dangerous.

Cleary: Treading decisively. Even if one is upright, there is danger. [It is necessary to be upright and undivided, to master oneself in danger, so that one can avoid the problem of losing what has been gained. This is treading the Path in which there is no one but oneself.]

Wu: He decides on treading. Despite perseverance, he is in a difficult situation. [Use your power wisely and judiciously, or you will fall.]

 

NOTES AND PARAPHRASES

Siu: Peril is evident, as when treading on the tail of a tiger. But the man remains aware and resolute, acting with propriety and humility.

Wing: What you propose to do is dangerous, yet your awareness of such danger will give you the strength to succeed. 

DeKorne: Line five is mentioned in the Confucian commentary for the hexagram as occupying the "God-given position." Nevertheless, despite his will and intelligence, he faces a volatile situation which will demand all of his resources if he is to succeed. Ritsema/Karcher render "adversity," (LI) as: Danger, threatening, malevolent demon ... It indicates a spirit or ghost that seeks revenge by inflicting suffering upon the living. Pacifying or exorcizing such a spirit can have a healing effect.

A. Walking a razor's edge -- maintain vigilance over your choices and be aware of their consequences. The image suggests willpower in the face of potentially disruptive forces.