"To thine own self be true"

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steavenr
Member Elite

since 2003-11-17

Posts 4058

0 posted 2003-11-29 07:17 PM

“To thine own self be true,”
Thus quoth the Bard of Avon
And so the standard set
For bards’ verse or poets’ rhyme
In purest form or freest prose

Not Frost, nor Poe, nor Plathe
Not Cummings, nor Dickenson
Would fail to meet this lofty goal
Of loyalty to one’s ideals
In thoughts freely expressed.

Garlands of glory fade away
No reward is necessary
For the true of heart, per Avon’s Bard
Is reward enough he’d say
‘Tis not for others but himself

He writes and so remains
Undaunted by his readers’ commentary
Whether they be yea or nay,
Unless, of course, he posts his works
In forums on the internet, and then

He lives or dies for favorable remarks
And writes not for his purest core
His soul sold out, his words deplete
His ethics and his heart devours
The poet’s creed, “to thine own self be true.”

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

1 posted 2003-11-29 08:03 PM

This brings to mind a lot of questions I have had recently regarding writing.

You just answered most of them.

Thank you.

tecoyah
Member

since 2003-11-16

Posts 83
NY

2 posted 2003-11-29 08:34 PM

well,,,,,I was gonna give a crit, but.....um, ah...never mind. great work...enjoyed this much,thanx

Copperbell
Senior Member

since 2003-11-08

Posts 956

3 posted 2003-11-29 08:47 PM

bulls-eye
exactly my conviction of my writing these days
thanks for putting words to it

steavenr
Member Elite

since 2003-11-17

Posts 4058

4 posted 2003-11-29 08:53 PM

This was definitely a self catharsis. Didn't realize others were feeling the same way, though. btw, appreciate the comments

Skyfire

Member Elite

since 2000-12-27

Posts 3381
Riding

5 posted 2003-11-29 09:03 PM

Ain't this the truth

Life isn't really all that bad... just don't take it too seriously
"Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese. "
--G. K.Chesterto

pictureme
Member

since 2003-11-28

Posts 248
Ohio, USA

6 posted 2003-11-29 09:50 PM

I really liked how you mentioned the poets, some of my very favorites. You again breathe
"to they ownself be true" with new vision of your very own.
pictureme :-)

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

7 posted 2003-11-29 11:30 PM

how awesome is this!

WildPoet
Member

since 2003-11-10

Posts 205
California

8 posted 2003-11-29 11:47 PM

So true!

WildPoet

To earn respect, Give respect
To live life, nurture life
To enjoy Love, Share Love

jaicie114
Senior Member

since 2003-09-27

Posts 750
On the edge of forever

9 posted 2003-11-29 11:49 PM

ummmmm...yeah!

Love it, steavenr...thank you!

Love and Light...jc

This I know as Truth...we are all Beings of Light.

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

10 posted 2003-11-30 12:05 PM

Steaven~
A most enjoyable read~
Well done, poet~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost,
the spirit rejoices over what it has left.
- Sufi epigram
noles1@totcon.com

SharaRose
Member Elite

since 2003-07-19

Posts 2501
Somewhere out there~

11 posted 2003-11-30 12:41 PM

I know what this is saying.. I really do. If you write what's in your heart, and you know what you have put in print (OR the internet forums) what you feel pours out of your being then what should a person care what others say about it, but live, or die? Isn't that a bit harsh? Don't most people post to share what's in their heart? If some are looking for acceptance through their words is it such a bad thing to humor people that are hurting? I know I don't post, and then hang on every minute that goes by just waiting in nervous anticipation for a comment, and then if it doesn't happen crumble and fall in to pieces like it's the end of the world, or something. Sheesh what ever happened to compassion? geesh. There's a lonely world out there, and sometimes people are just looking for a kind word, and someone to care. WOW. I was appalled by this. *VERY* judgemental. You are entitled to your thoughts and opinions, but I find this harsh and very hard hearted. What is the CORE of you? Where is your work so I may read it? I am curious what your words have to say. Not all of us are calculated, AND we may not have AS MUCH talent as you, but we are NO less than you! Gee...I feel sorry for anyone that needs a bit of kindness from you...they scarce will find it unless they meet with your HAUGHTY HIGH MINDED self appointed standards. Sheesh!
Thank You,
Terri~

Kristabell
Senior Member

since 2003-11-29

Posts 678
Portland, OR

12 posted 2003-11-30 12:43 PM

I love your word choice! You describe things very well.

steavenr
Member Elite

since 2003-11-17

Posts 4058

13 posted 2003-11-30 01:10 AM

Wow, what do I say? To those who understood this write, that it was a self-critical introspection, I say, “congrats, you get it”. To those who simply appreciated the poetry, thank you for the kind comments. To those who related to it, the poem speaks for itself. To SharaRose, I can only say that poetry is supposed to evoke emotion and interpretation. If that is what you got from this piece, then I commend you on your interpretation. Since I have no way to judge the motives of others, I can speak only of myself. Sorry that you found the piece offensive.

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