The Acrostic Paradise Lost by John Milton and Terrance Lindall

Milton’s poem is the first soap opera, with a lot of sex, war, arguments,
jealousy and more. It is also the first science fiction fantasy tale with flights
through “outer space” (word coined by Milton).
The poem bounces around with flashbacks and a lot of philosophy and many
events concurrent. I think it is probably the greatest work in the world!
The “secret” of Milton’s Satan is that he carries Hell within him. The entire
poem is a parable of an internal spiritual struggle that many people go through
on a lesser scale.
My theory with this version is that all a good story needs is “patter.” i.e., it must
read lyrically. So you will see longer and shorter stanzas, sometimes rhyme,
most often not. It works. I will record my reading soon.
My acrostic summarizes the poetry that accompanies it. The story is told in the
acrostic.
I am currently gathering together all my paintings and drawings done over the
years and will include it in this book.
I want to thank Pat Wickenheiser for her support. I thanks John Geraghty for
the many gifts to the Milton collection and his great support and advice. Also,
Elizabeth Sudduth of the University of South Carolina, Professor Joseph
Wittreich, Professor Hugh Macrae Richmond, Professor Carter Kaplan,
Professor Horace Jeffery Hodges, Professor Karen Karbiener, Professor Louis
Schwarz, John Dugdale Bradley of Milton’s Cottage and especially my
“Heavenly Muse’ Yuko Nii.
Terrance Lindall
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