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Open Poetry #42
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steavenr
Member Elite
since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058


0 posted 2008-05-18 09:23 AM


how measures the caliper of compassion
in the workspace of life
when the brake is broken
and the metal has lost its mettle

increments of pain in metric measure
open its jaws in wordless expression
setting its standard in silent appearance
numbers that measure, measuring the numbers

open wide and speak, open for clarity’s sake
make clear the undefined, define the unclear



© Copyright 2008 Steaven R Snow - All Rights Reserved
r v wooo
Senior Member
since 2007-08-07
Posts 656

1 posted 2008-05-18 11:26 AM


the statistical measure of a life is found in quality of one's being and not in what one consumes or produces in quantity. intriguing poem...interesting thought.
Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
2 posted 2008-05-18 11:47 AM


Oh, my goodness, Steave. Your mind works circles around my own! lol

Thanks for defining the unclear for me!

One thing that I do know fer shore, is that compassion is ofttimes in short supply and if it were to be measured by calipers, the calipers would not have to stretch out very far.

I like the surprises I get when I click on one of your titles!


Linda

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
3 posted 2008-05-18 12:36 PM


quote:
increments of pain in metric measure
open its jaws in wordless expression



Powerful expression!

Dear Steaven, your words are thought provoking. In our society everything is somehow measured, expressed in numbers, statistically analyzed, yet the feelings  can be "weighed" only by the heart.
The potential of being compassionate is surely enormous in human nature, but we fear pain and so I think we instinctively reduce our threshold for compassion, not being able to take things with equanimity.

Thank you for your insights.

Love,
Margherita

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
4 posted 2008-05-18 01:21 PM


Your words always make me think, Steaven and that's a good thing.
                                Ida

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353
Michigan, USA
5 posted 2008-05-18 10:02 PM


I've read this one several times through the day.

I found the entirety interesting...

I especially found this sharp and clever...
"increments of pain in metric measure
open its jaws in wordless expression
setting its standard in silent appearance
numbers that measure, measuring the numbers"

Wonderful thoughtfulness to this piece.

kanashe
Member
since 2008-05-21
Posts 59
america
6 posted 2008-07-13 05:02 AM


"when the brake is broken
and the metal has lost its mettle"

my favorite lines

brilliant poem
i loved every bit of it

-ashe

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