Sunshine Challenge 2023 #1 - Iris
Jul. 2nd, 2023 01:04 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
e_k_bravemanIris: They can represent faith, hope, courage, wisdom and admiration.
I'll admit, I'm not super into poetry. There's poems I like, sure, but it's not something I actively seek out, and I don't think about the ones I've read often. Furthermore, the poems (and art in general) I like tends to be more on the darker side, so not very likely to fit the above-linked prompt. Oh, and I prefer reading longfic, so drabbles are a total no-go.
But still, I wanted to think of something, for a little extra challenge. I was wracking my brain for several minutes, when a memory finally floated up from somewhere deep inside my mind. It was a soundbite of a man, voice both tired and full of hope, saying "But when I close my eyes I see a world where we all work together. And it's so. Fucking. Beautiful." That, my friends, is the final line of The Sufferer's Final Sermon by Justin Briner.
It's a spoken word poem, which represents the, well, final sermon of the Sufferer from Homestuck, the webcomic's resident Jesus-like figure. It was originally shared as an audio post on Briner's tumblr blog (Internet Archive link, archive.today link). I've adapted transcript from this one by reddit user BroadwayKarkat, who also shared a reinterpretation of the piece in the linked reddit post. (archive.today link)
So, some context for those unfamiliar with Homestuck: the trolls are an alien race, residing on the planet Alternia. Unlike humans, trolls have 12 possible colors of blood, and their society is built upon a rigid and violent caste system, based around said blood colors. The Sufferer was born with a mutation, bright red blood, which doesn't fit the caste system and automatically condemned him to death. For a long time, he survived with the help of loved ones and comrades, while preaching an end to the cruel system. He is eventually caught and executed, with his companions punished in various ways. The poem is Briner's idea for what the Sufferer's last words might've been.
The connection to the challenge prompt is obvious, I believe. While it does deal with loss, despair and systemic cruelty, it does emphasize that the issue is far from settled. The Sufferer dies believing one day his teachings will prevail, and Alternia will become an egalitarian society. It is, in the end, a very hopeful speech. There's also various other ways you can tie it to the prompt—the Sufferer as a figure of faith and wisdom, the courage to stand up for what one believes in even in the face of death—but hope has always been my main takeaway.
Speaking of which, my first experience with the work was not the audio post, but a youtube video with accompanying art by tumblr user creepinitreal. I highly recommend it; to me, it and the poem are synonymous, and many of its visuals have stayed with me for years. The art is very gorgeous, with colors that help emphasize the atmosphere of the world it's based on. A lot of artistic choices are likely inspired by art in Homestuck itself, such as the dark silhouettes with limited visible color, but the artist adds their own touch that really makes the whole thing work. It's just a beautiful video, I'm kind of sad I'm only revisiting it now after so many years. My relationship to Homestuck as a work and as a fandom, like many other fans', is fraught, but I cannot deny its impact on my artistic sensibilities. I'm glad I got to pay tribute to it in some way through this post.
The last thing I want to mention is that Justin Briner is someone you might have heard of. I only found this out after digging for links, but he's been an anime voice actor for more than a decade! He's had various roles anime, the biggest of which is the English dub of Boku no Hero Academia as Deku, the main character!! I didn't even know his name, he was just the voice of The Sufferer to me, but it turns out he was famous in the mainstream too. That goes to show... something. I don't actually know. Maybe that I'm out of step with what's mainstream besides basic cultural osmosis and it leads to fun moments like this. :P
Hope you also learned something new today! You can pull it out as obscure nerd trivia at your nerdy parties aka DnD Discord server voice chats. Feel free to leave a comment, maybe share your own weird nerd trivia.
I'll admit, I'm not super into poetry. There's poems I like, sure, but it's not something I actively seek out, and I don't think about the ones I've read often. Furthermore, the poems (and art in general) I like tends to be more on the darker side, so not very likely to fit the above-linked prompt. Oh, and I prefer reading longfic, so drabbles are a total no-go.
But still, I wanted to think of something, for a little extra challenge. I was wracking my brain for several minutes, when a memory finally floated up from somewhere deep inside my mind. It was a soundbite of a man, voice both tired and full of hope, saying "But when I close my eyes I see a world where we all work together. And it's so. Fucking. Beautiful." That, my friends, is the final line of The Sufferer's Final Sermon by Justin Briner.
It's a spoken word poem, which represents the, well, final sermon of the Sufferer from Homestuck, the webcomic's resident Jesus-like figure. It was originally shared as an audio post on Briner's tumblr blog (Internet Archive link, archive.today link). I've adapted transcript from this one by reddit user BroadwayKarkat, who also shared a reinterpretation of the piece in the linked reddit post. (archive.today link)
I have been peaceful. I have been kind. I only dared to speak what others have been dreaming for so long.I also made a separate post of the transcript for posterity.
I had dreams too—dreams of what might've been. Where blood was simply blood and all of us were equal.
If wishing for that is heresy, then yes, I deserve to die.
I’ve seen acts of the most sublime kindness and the most vile cruelty.
They say powerful beings find anger when they have no room for love.
What made you so? Are you scared of change? Scared of those who are different?
I realize, I am different than you.
I have known feelings that none of you can ever hope to know.
I have known the camaraderie of a friend who supported me against all odds.
I have known the compassion of a guardian who took me in when no others would and raised me to dream and hope.
I have known a love and passion that transcended definition.
There is no use hiding it now. You all can see me for what I am!
The Signless. The Sufferer. The mutant.
My blood burns brightly for all to see. It is the flame of a revolution that you cannot ever hope to quell.
My memory can be erased, but my ideals will never die.
My mistake was believing that I could change a world infected by hate and corruption.
You've taken the freedom of an innocent troll and turned his blessings into a curse!
The pity you’ve taken on my disciple will wound her. She has known true love and you forced her to a life of solitude!
You forced a mother to watch her son die!
I see you for what you are, I always fucking have!
I thought I could fucking change you! Fuck me for being a fucking fool!
Fuck.
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuuuuck!
...fuck.
I am angry
Because I forgive you.
I may be the biggest fucking fool on Alternia
But when I close my eyes, I see a world where we all work together.
And it's so
Fucking
Beautiful.
So, some context for those unfamiliar with Homestuck: the trolls are an alien race, residing on the planet Alternia. Unlike humans, trolls have 12 possible colors of blood, and their society is built upon a rigid and violent caste system, based around said blood colors. The Sufferer was born with a mutation, bright red blood, which doesn't fit the caste system and automatically condemned him to death. For a long time, he survived with the help of loved ones and comrades, while preaching an end to the cruel system. He is eventually caught and executed, with his companions punished in various ways. The poem is Briner's idea for what the Sufferer's last words might've been.
The connection to the challenge prompt is obvious, I believe. While it does deal with loss, despair and systemic cruelty, it does emphasize that the issue is far from settled. The Sufferer dies believing one day his teachings will prevail, and Alternia will become an egalitarian society. It is, in the end, a very hopeful speech. There's also various other ways you can tie it to the prompt—the Sufferer as a figure of faith and wisdom, the courage to stand up for what one believes in even in the face of death—but hope has always been my main takeaway.
Speaking of which, my first experience with the work was not the audio post, but a youtube video with accompanying art by tumblr user creepinitreal. I highly recommend it; to me, it and the poem are synonymous, and many of its visuals have stayed with me for years. The art is very gorgeous, with colors that help emphasize the atmosphere of the world it's based on. A lot of artistic choices are likely inspired by art in Homestuck itself, such as the dark silhouettes with limited visible color, but the artist adds their own touch that really makes the whole thing work. It's just a beautiful video, I'm kind of sad I'm only revisiting it now after so many years. My relationship to Homestuck as a work and as a fandom, like many other fans', is fraught, but I cannot deny its impact on my artistic sensibilities. I'm glad I got to pay tribute to it in some way through this post.
The last thing I want to mention is that Justin Briner is someone you might have heard of. I only found this out after digging for links, but he's been an anime voice actor for more than a decade! He's had various roles anime, the biggest of which is the English dub of Boku no Hero Academia as Deku, the main character!! I didn't even know his name, he was just the voice of The Sufferer to me, but it turns out he was famous in the mainstream too. That goes to show... something. I don't actually know. Maybe that I'm out of step with what's mainstream besides basic cultural osmosis and it leads to fun moments like this. :P
Hope you also learned something new today! You can pull it out as obscure nerd trivia at your nerdy parties aka DnD Discord server voice chats. Feel free to leave a comment, maybe share your own weird nerd trivia.
