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Sartre, Existentialism and Me
| Open Poetry #49 |
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Sartre, Existentialism and Me |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana 
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on the street hard rain coming down I'd duck into the café on the corner have a cuppa joe to wait out the storm searched my pockets for some change not one red cent nothing that folds and spends either in times such as this I seek out an old, old friend the public library my refuge from the elements besides books are there books I can immerse myself in and, for a few hours forget the sad plight I face when I leave my refuge I wandered into Sartre on a day much like today though not able to understand very much of what I was reading he intrigued me him and his existentialism so I read off and on through the coming years mesmerized that something so complex I was beginning to "get" went off half cocked, proud of myself later, as the years piled up and I kept reading Sartre I came to an abrupt and complete meltdown Sartre Existentialism nihilism bullshit these days I think the whole concept that nothing in life is important or of any value whatsoever is, as I said earlier,bullshit how could I have been so wrong for so long I think I know why but that is for another day ©August 19, 2015 / Jerry Pat Bolton ~*~ When they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~ |
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| © Copyright 2015 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Lori Grosser Rhoden Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202Fair to middlin' of nowhere |
Have to say I have never read Sartre. I admire you for having done so regardless of your opinion now. Opening your mind to different perspectives is good exercise even when you choose to disregard the point of view afterwards. Like I said, I haven't read it, but calling the whole thing bullshit may be throwing a bit of the baby out with the bathwater. You are most certainly welcome to your opinion and I do hope you expand on it in another piece as you hinted at. Any way you cut it this is a provocative piece. Well done! ~L |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Thank you Lori. Nope, I don't think I will revisit the guy. I will admit, as I did in the first part of the poem, I was beginning to "get" him and other writers, but eventually, when I realized his main theses was that individuals were less than nothing, just went against my grain, and I still feel the same. I leaned that way for some time, blaming my history with my mother, et al, but eventually felt very differently. ~*~ When they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~ |
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Ticklefingers Senior Member Posts 710 Louisiana |
Your experiences with one of the 'great' thinkers is well documented in your writing JerryPat. Well done indeed! Sartre, Jung, Blavatsky, and others were of the same stature in terms of their thinking. Its the 'followers' that made them into 'movements' that expanded their philosophies and influence. I recall reading them, perhaps like you JerryPat, when I was looking for something to 'influence' me far and beyond the three 'R's'. Like Miss Lori, I too will look forward to your next installment. In the meantime, be well friend. 88's She told me "play one for your supper Danny and maybe you'll get breakfast". |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
"I was looking for something to 'influence' me far and beyond the three 'R's'." No, my reading Sartre was because I was looking for something that would motivate me to get my act to together and quit using the streets of America as my home. It never did that, I guess because his view of life was very depressing, but I latched onto it probably because I found myself believing his dribble. I was a man who was almost destroyed by my history of my birth and what happened after that. Depression, you bet. Finally snapped out of it, for the most part, after ten years on the streets. Sartre had nothing to do with it, but I still was interested in his take on life and continued to read him. One day I woke up and regurgitated everything I had ever learned from him. ~*~ When they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~ |
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Ticklefingers Senior Member Posts 710 Louisiana |
Your experience is difficult to relate to in terms of the length of time you spent in those circumstances. My wish for you JerryPat is that you have found not only what you were seeking, but also some comfort knowing you survived to tell of it. You have much to share. 88's friend She told me "play one for your supper Danny and maybe you'll get breakfast". |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
hank you, Ticklefingers, I do appreciate your kindness. ~*~ When they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~ |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
My life is good now. I am where I am supposed to be in my head, and where I live these last days. I call it The Hovel, but it is a wonderful place to be. ~*~ When they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~ |
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Ticklefingers Senior Member Posts 710 Louisiana |
"The Hovel"? Now you have some explaining to do Southern Lou! How long have you been hiding in my wife's closet?  She told me "play one for your supper Danny and maybe you'll get breakfast". |
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secondhanddreampoet Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394a 'Universalist' ! |
some say our 'old friends' (the libraries) will become a vanishing thing amid this 21st. century "Runaway American Dream" ... your 'penning' reminded me of the v. first poem I ever wrote: College Library (an ‘impression’) Wisps of sunlight catch a few books by surprise while the rest laugh and point from dim pigeon-holes at the foolish ‘human-ants’ that seek to tear at their hearts (so young...so naïve!) They contain the thoughts, the hopes, the fears the very souls of countless minds that are no more some great...some small; but, the books wear all their names with silent dignity...unspoken elegies to the dead. To hold the wisdom of the ages is their destiny how honorable a fate! Mankind has no greater treasure to preserve and no greater treasury! --- b. e. adams (1971) |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Hah! A sneaky was to get me to read your poem, Bruce. I fully accede that it hits the mark very plainly. Thank you . . . ~*~ When they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~ |
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