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Larry C
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since 2001-09-10
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0 posted 2005-07-25 04:09 PM



A Bitter Pill
By Larry Chadwick


I’m sure you have considered it too. There should be a wisdom pill, preferably “over the counter”. Doctors often already feel quite superior so I would rather they not dispense wisdom. This topic, I suppose, is not unrelated to youth being wasted on the young. But think what it might mean to us to relate to our kids who think they know everything and they have taken a wisdom pill and actually do know everything. Then when they made decisions on that premise it would be based on actual wisdom instead of youthful virtual wisdom. I think it would simplify our lives, don’t you?

When I was in my childhood I lost two grandpas. With my mom’s dad I was five or six years old. His death meant I got to spend some time with my favorite aunt. I gained no wisdom and experienced no pain. An opportunity lost. When my dad’s dad died I was eleven. I did feel pain from his loss but actually gained no wisdom. Another opportunity lost. That pill would have come in handy.

I have over sixty first cousins and thirty-two aunts and uncle (if you don’t count the exes). It seems that somewhere in the course of my adult life I would have picked up some wisdom through loss even if it was only from the loss of one cousin. And then it occurred to me. There is a pill for gaining wisdom. In fact it is an exceptionally bitter pill. The side effects are quite extreme. It causes severe pain in the heart and in the gut. It includes moments of despair and severe crying. It is called the pill of life. When your loss is personal enough you will know it has been prescribed and it is dispensed involuntarily. But the amount of wisdom gained is directly related to your willingness to accept the pill. The sooner you process it through your system the quicker the side effects subside. But it’s effects will never disappear.
May 16, 2005

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

© Copyright 2005 Larry Chadwick - All Rights Reserved
Alicat
Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094
Coastal Texas
1 posted 2005-07-25 04:15 PM


Poignant and true, with tiny doses of wisdom interspersed.
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
2 posted 2005-07-25 04:32 PM



And it's a big pill, too - only dosed in such a way that we don't seem to choke on it.

But indeed, it can be bitter at times.

How timely, this...in lieu of my own writings. Makes it all that much more poignant, for me.


nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
3 posted 2005-07-25 05:21 PM


Larry, I can relate to your tender words

awww I just noticed the picture  
hugs of comfort
M

[This message has been edited by nakdthoughts (07-26-2005 01:00 PM).]

GG
Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought
4 posted 2005-07-25 06:08 PM


Larry,
exactly. It changes everything, forever. Ecc. 1:18 pretty much says it...

Too bad it's not an actual pill, yep, over the counter would  be nice lol. take care, sir!

Always, Alyssa

He was a man of sorrows
...I am a girl of tears.

Larry C
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286
United States
5 posted 2005-07-25 09:36 PM


Alicat,
Thank you sir. Kind words indeed.

Karilea,
Realities for which I am truly sorry. Peace.


M,
I'm always sad to know when others have experienced pain too. Bless you friend. Yup, I was three and not near so wise but much better looking.

Alyssa dear girl,
Sorry we were not able to meet but how lovely to see you here. And, as usual, you are so right.

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
6 posted 2005-07-25 10:29 PM


Ah no, Sir...don't you dare be sorry...
you see...
some of us realize that it is what we leave
in memories...
those most special moments,
that will cause some other person
to remember us.

And that?  That is the pudding of stories.

And you, and I?

We...we are the tellers....

So keep reminiscing, and never, ever be sorry.


Larry C
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286
United States
7 posted 2005-07-26 10:52 AM


Karilea,
Okay, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. It is kinda nice being the tellers though, huh?

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

miscellanea
Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060
OH
8 posted 2005-07-26 11:18 AM


  I had forgotten how much I liked reading your thoughts, Larry!  (Well, I knew I did, but just haven't gotten around here lately...Now I realize a minute part of what I've missed.  What a stimulating write!  Your first paragraph was woven as fine silk!  Everything followed flowed flawlessly.  (Whoops, too much alliteration there--you'd think I was stuck on the alphabet's e's and f's!)

  I love your introspection and honesty,relating well to having involunteerily taken pills a couple of times.  Just didn't want to grow up I guess!
   Gonna tuck this away on a shelf.  So much said...

         miscellanea

Midnitesun
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since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
9 posted 2005-07-26 08:26 PM


i hate taking pills
bitter, or sweet

but since this ain't about pills?
MUAH

and I LOVE that picture!

Larry C
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286
United States
10 posted 2005-07-26 08:33 PM


miscellania,
Long time no see. And thanks for poppin' in. I always enjoy your kind thoughts and words.


Ah Kacy,
Dear sis, don't you remember those days? And I'm not doing so good at taking pills right now myself!


If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
11 posted 2005-11-23 02:51 AM


Larry,  No students here this week so the nights go by slowly. Taking chances and going on line at work once again.  Been re-reading your posts. I don’t think I have replied to them before. But I always read what you write. We share some of life’s sad dealings. And I think we have been able to go on without  “pills” to steady us. I once worked at an answering service and it upset me many times to receive a call from some one's family member to a doctor, asking for a Rx for something to ease the pain for their mom or dad or someone close, because of a death in the family. I wondered why people seem to want to go through the most important part of their lives dosed up so as not to really be there to feel and hurt or even to be able to remember. A sad society we have become.

As for that magical “pill of wisdom” you speak of.  I looked for that first when I was anticipating my fortieth birthday. Never saw a hint of it. So I tried again at fifty, no luck. At sixty I thought for sure I would find it in pain sight, but no never happened. I went on in my older growing body still living within my childish and silly head. I guess that took me right into my seventies. Now I realize I needed that youthful way and a Pollyanna mind to have gotten this far. The past year and a half has gone by just like one bad day, and still I try to find the brighter side. I think you and I have a lot in common. Thanks for the good reads, best to you, martyjo

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
12 posted 2005-11-23 03:11 PM


"When your loss is personal enough you will know it has been prescribed and it is dispensed involuntarily"

you are a most wise man...

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

Larry C
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286
United States
13 posted 2005-11-23 03:57 PM


martyjo,
Thank you so much for investing your time to read and then respond so generously to my writing. I had never considered the possibility that people were drugging their way through such critical experiences. Though now that you mention it I do recall such things. Pity.

And as for your past 18 months I am truly sorry for all of your grief. Please remember that "grief without growth is pain without purpose." And I really hate pain. You are a tender hearted woman and it is nice to share your kindred spirit. Thank you.


Susan,
Well possibly. Thank you. Mostly I'm just trying to understand. Again thank you for such generosity.

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

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