No, I’ll not take the half – Yevgeny

Whenever someone says, “I’ll not take half” or “I’ll take half”, it reminds me of this poem. First two stanzas are so fiery and third one is stark contrast!!!

(credit to translator as well)

 

No, I’ll not take the half…

 No, I'll not take the half,
 Give me the whole sky! The far-flung earth!
 Seas and rivers and mountain avalanches--
 All these are mine! I'll accept no less!

 No, life, you cannot woo me with a part.
 Let it be all or nothing! I can shoulder that!
 I don't want happiness by halves,
 Nor is half of sorrow what I want.

 Yet there's a pillow I would share,
 Where gently pressed against a cheek,
 Like a helpless star, a falling star,
 A ring glimmers on a finger of your hand.

— Yevgeny Yevtushenko

1963

Translated by George Reavey

“Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou

Evident in “Caged Bird” are two traditional literary themes: reversal of fortune and survival of the unfittest. By presenting the free bird before depicting the caged bird, Angelou helps the reader visualize what the caged bird must have been like before its capture; the description of the two contrasting environments helps the reader feel the sense of loss of the captured bird because of its reversed fate. Even with its clipped wings, tied feet, narrow quarters, and bars of rage, however, the fragile, caged bird is still able to survive and to soar again through its song; this imprisoned bird truly epitomizes the survival of the unfittest, the major theme in the verse.

I’m sure, you can relate to one or the other!

Caged Bird

“The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.”

Maya Angelou

First encounter with Game Theory

Recently read two books – “Games People Play” and “Games Indians Play”. First one, though quite popular, was not so interesting. Latter one, I had just picked up from library based on its title and turned out a good read. Especially, I got introduced to “Game Theory”!!!

I never thought “Game Theory” will be so interesting and will be good blend of Human Psychology and Statistics. Here is a link:

https://plus.maths.org/content/mathematical-mysteries-survival-nicest

Here is an excerpt from link above:

“No one strategy will always be best because how a strategy does depends on who the other players are – if you’re playing against mugs, you may as well be a freeloader, and if you’re playing against sharks, you may as well get your retaliation in first!”

Best strategy outlined is: “Tit for Tat with forgiveness”.

If you have time, do read following theories:

1. Prisoners’ dilemma

   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoner%27s_dilemma

2. Iterated Prisoner’s dilemma (below link has simulation too)

   http://www.iterated-prisoners-dilemma.net/

If you are quite naive in playing the games (check it out with simulation), please hone your skills!!!

My disclaimer

Folks, I’m using this blogpost to consolidate different stuff which is scattered over my mails. I do not claim that this content belongs to me – everything is copied from internet and just put it at one place.