Compromise And Resignation Poem by gershon hepner

Compromise and Resignation

Compromise and rueful resignation
are what love often is reduced to
whenever mutual participation
fades in ways we’d not been used to.

Being compromised by love is better
than being to such fate resigned;
try to hold the resignation letter
and keep the bodies intertwined.



Michael Sragow in salon.com reviews the performances of Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan in their movie “Proof of Life”:
But the material isn't shaped for much to happen between them. Without giving anything away, all I can say is that too many movies these days are peddling the idea that sexual maturity is tantamount to resignation and compromise. In lieu of a hot courtship, I almost began to wish that the filmmakers would abandon their serious pretensions and hand Ryan a more active role in her husband's rescue. No such luck. Crowe gets to play an updat of Mr. Rick from 'Casablanca' while Ryan remains the woman who also serves by standing and waiting. The consummated partnership here is between Crowe and Caruso, who wring humor from their shared intensity.


12/10/00