wisdom (I make no claim)

By seannelson

Sat, 15 Oct 2011
  • 658 reads
4 comments
 

A few generous souls
have called me "wise"
as one might call water "fresh"
before discovering it
to be indeed "salt"

I used to think
I might someday become wise
but now I suspect
I will sooner sink into
dry concrete...
because the ingredients
are not within,
neither the ambition
nor the health,
nor the discipline

yet is my verse
entirely the worse
because it lacks
realistic depth?
So does
the most adept painting:
distorted sunflowers,
pain flowers,
imaginary towers
built brick by brick
with the flick of a brush
to light the dark
of melancholic space and time

so do I with dabs of verbs
hour by hour
rhyme by rhyme

Certificate U
Poem
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by Highhat on
If you write about how you feel I think it is very realistic Sean. I liked this. I could relate to the sentiment. ;)Pia

Submitted by seannelson on
Thanks Pia. I'm glad you could understand what I was trying to get across. Like you said, it's from a long tradition of writing how I feel and what I perceive at a given moment.
"If I send you post-cards from the side of the road: photographs of movies, and hearts about to implode"  -  Elliott Smith

Submitted by seannelson on
You know, Pia, though you can relate(humility is usually a sign of good sense,) you're probably far wiser than I am. But I have the consolation of being a literary artist. Growth and progress are always possible, and it's my belief that not even the Mozarts and the Van Goghs of the world achieve perfection... so I know that I haven't. But I have combined talent and education with hard work, and I believe that the results may be celebrated someday. In the meantime... I'm seeking such happiness and personal growth as are possible for me. I appreciate your interest in my poetry, and value your friendship highly.
"If I send you post-cards from the side of the road: photographs of movies, and hearts about to implode"  -  Elliott Smith

Submitted by Highhat on
I do commend you for your stamina Sean. That you seek happiness and personal growth is very wise- so don't put your light under a bushel. But it is lovely to hear you are so optimistically inclined. Such a positive communication. And thank you for your kind words. Oh I don't think I am wiser- ha ha I'm sure I'm not but I may have a few more years behind me. I admire you for being so open and accepting even though I know life is a struggle. Glad to hear you are working hard with your literary genius!! He he keep truckin' ;)Pia