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Open Poetry #44
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Namyh
Senior Member
since 2009-01-20
Posts 988


0 posted 2009-01-20 11:50 AM


The Flea Trainer

I can see fleas on tiny seesaws,
sitting tiny swings that sway,
contented and bored to just pass the time.
How came they conditioned this way ?

First put the fleas within a jar
then place the lid on top.
The fleas will jump and jump and jump
hitting glass and lid with knocks.
And after a while, the muscles condition
the jump to avoid the pain
of colliding with lid and glass so hard,
over and over again.
You can remove the lid. Let out the fleas,
even put them on swings that sway.
They'll jump, but within the limits imposed
on muscles conditioned this way.

We start out fresh to climb the mountain,
to leave our marks on Life,
to jump the stumbling stones of Living
and clear the hurdles of Strife.
But we bang our heads. We skin our knees.
We fracture our hopes and means.
So when we jump, it's not so high.
Conditioning has stolen our Dreams !

From the corner of my eye, I spyed the jar.
Without lid, there's a chance to get out.
Yet the fleas within just could not do it,
with Freedom as close as a shout.
But my eyes perceived a single flea,
jumping high and above the rest,
looking for the opening at the top of the jar
where Freedom is the dream and the quest.

Each time he jumped, it seemed much higher,
defying his conditioning to win.
I found myself cheering on this flea
now showing me the Hero within.
With eyes face up for one giant leap
to clear the barrier, the bar.
It lunged past fleas and the opening at the top.
This flea-trainer jumped "Out" of the jar.
I roared. The fleas in the jar were shocked !
I clapped. Disbelief ran fast.
But there was no denying this Will of one flea,
now looking from the other side of the glass.

I learned from the 'insignificant'
where significant Wisdom is free.
That it's not the size of the flea in the fight.
It's the size of the fight in the flea.
Being beaten will no longer defeat me,
tho' I'm hammered on Life's anvil and scarred.
No longer will circumstances crush my Dreams.
I'm a Flea 'trained to jump', from the jar.

Namyh


© Copyright 2009 Namyh - All Rights Reserved
OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
1 posted 2009-01-20 02:27 PM


Fleas are on my list of about 4 creatures that I don't like (though I adore all other animals).  However, I do adore and admire your little "I can" flea!  Thank you for this.

Owl

1slick_lady
Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088
standing on a shadow's lace
2 posted 2009-01-20 04:39 PM


very nice

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
3 posted 2009-01-20 05:02 PM


Wow...what an entrance into your new poetry Home! Welcome to Passions! Please, check your email for a Very Special Greeting!!
Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
4 posted 2009-01-20 06:33 PM


Welcome to Pip!

In observation even of a tiny flea, some great truths can be discovered.

Insightful and well written.

Love,
Margherita

Namyh
Senior Member
since 2009-01-20
Posts 988

5 posted 2009-01-20 08:12 PM


Owl – This flea said it was honored to be one of 4 creatures not liked. And since it had jumped out of its jar and the other animals seemed to still be in theirs, it was going to enjoy freedom and be a symbol of admiration for those willing to leap. So very glad you enjoyed Owl. Hope it put a smile on ya. Namyh

Namyh
Senior Member
since 2009-01-20
Posts 988

6 posted 2009-01-21 12:01 PM


1slicklady – Thanks 1slickLady for stopping by with your words. Hope you enjoyed. Namyh
OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
7 posted 2009-01-21 01:24 PM


Yep, your little flea friend DID put a smile on my face.  Well done, little flea!  I admire your spirit!

Owl


steavenr
Member Elite
since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058

8 posted 2009-01-21 01:30 PM


...far deeper that I first thought from the title...lot of neat thoughts in this one...liked this phrase especially:

"Conditioning has stolen our Dreams"

...great insight...and, btw, welcome to PiP

Lighthousebob
Member Elite
since 2000-06-14
Posts 4725
California
9 posted 2009-01-21 02:02 PM


Since I do not plan on, especially, spending too much time in the near future with fleas, I will, unfortunately, need to take your word on this one and believe (with a flea-trainer's like faith) that this was an exceptionally good metaphor.

Good job and Welcome,

-Bob

Namyh
Senior Member
since 2009-01-20
Posts 988

10 posted 2009-01-21 06:18 PM


Sunshine – I will indeed check the email and thanks for spreading some of your welcome and your sunshine, Sunshine. Also thanks for the “Wow”.  Namyh

Margherita – Wouldn’t it be great if others would see in themselves that strength of determination they saw in the flea. Perhaps this was fated to confirm that we “can” indeed jump higher than we think and what’s needed sometimes is a little testimonial push like this that says that if a flea can do it, well………..? Thanks Margherita for your appreciation.  Namyh

Owl - Any man or woman driven by Will to achieve some objective is a force to be reckoned with. Their suction alone will pull you along, maybe right out of the jar. Thanks again Owl. Namyh

Namyh
Senior Member
since 2009-01-20
Posts 988

11 posted 2009-01-22 09:03 AM


Stevenr -  I would guess it's the jumping that helps the jumper remove his fear to leap and break the conditioning. We should all be so lucky. Thanks for your words Steavenr. Happy you liked.  Namyh
Namyh
Senior Member
since 2009-01-20
Posts 988

12 posted 2009-01-24 08:02 AM


Bob – I guess there is a little of the flea-trainer in all of us at one time or another. Thanks for your flea-trainer’s like faith and your words of enjoyment. Hope this comes in handy when most needed. Namyh
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