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JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2014-02-21 10:26 AM

my position in this moment
is mine to enjoy
or not
I have undergone much drama
to fulfill my destiny
drama of my own making
perhaps
but surely there were some
which bore not my signature
as old as I am
and I am old
I have not been a sickly specimen
visiting the hospital
visit after visit
still . . .
miracle drugs have given me stability
my body has not been broken
my face has not been maimed
I've not lost limbs in the wreckage of automobiles
my brain
though dysfunctional by some standards
has stayed the course throughout
though compared to others I find myself lacking
riches have not found me
I’ve not sought them out
this Hovel I reside in
is neither my rightful place
neither is it my doom
it just is

so!
living on borrowed time
as they say
knowing the next breath could be my last
I understand life more now
near the end
than ever before

I live for the beat of poetry
for the structured
and unstructured lines I pen
oh, there is much I understand
still, there is more I wish to know
I want to know why men fight wars
no
not true
I understand the pettiness of war
of man's overwhelming desire
to push himself into the lives of others
I want to know why men are cruel
to people
if they speak a different language
or look different
no
I understand the Biblical thought
the Tower of Babel
scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth
I understand it
but I don't comprehend it

my race has not been run
neither yours nor theirs
we run the race
for we can do no other
we cannot pick out
whether we should be who we are
or be who we are not
if we are rich
if we are poor
if we have fame
if we are a nobody
if we can alter our course in life
or if we cannot
whoever we are
inside
we will always be
unless . . .
of course
we have the courage to change
but to change into what

©February 18, 2014 / Jerry Pat Bolton

~*~ It's not that the man did not know how to juggle, he just didn't have the balls to do it. ~*~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius

since 2009-10-10

Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere

1 posted 2014-02-21 10:52 AM

You bring up so many good points here! Made me think of what I tell the kids at school:
"From this point on you will only grow
older-growing up is a choice you will
have to make"
Lori

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

2 posted 2014-02-21 10:52 AM

Thank you, Lori. The kids have a great motivator.

~*~ It's not that the man did not know how to juggle, he just didn't have the balls to do it. ~*~

latearrival
Member Ascendant

since 2003-03-21

Posts 5499
Florida

3 posted 2014-02-21 10:59 AM

Jerry, thank you for this intimate look into your psyche today. Written in your inimitable way, it encourages my mind to wade into all sorts of ponds and lakes, gardens, woods and fields, seeking more understanding of others . sincerely , jo

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

4 posted 2014-02-21 11:01 AM

Jo, you always respond to the intensity of the matter. Thank you.

~*~ It's not that the man did not know how to juggle, he just didn't have the balls to do it. ~*~

Bluesy Socrateaser
Member Elite

since 2002-11-07

Posts 2417
In The Mirror

5 posted 2014-02-21 12:04 PM

Your writing brings up many ideas in such a biographical way that it's difficult to address them all. But I did want look further into these:

quote:
I understand it
but I don't comprehend it

As a single idea, this contradicts itself. I can see how you may not understand the reasons for war, I don't either. I never started a war so I never really understood the reason for them, even though I have participated in two of them.

quote:
compared to others I find myself lacking

You've entered this idea in some of your work before. I'm of the opinion that no one should ever spend a waking moment comparing themselves with others. It's futile, self-destructive and is the breeder of hateful feelings.

Everyone has redeeming qualities and we are all in this together on an equitable basis.

You, me, everyone.

...just bein' Bluesy

[This message has been edited by Bluesy Socrateaser (02-21-2014 12:55 PM).]

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

6 posted 2014-02-21 12:45 PM

I do NOT encourage critiques.

~*~ It's not that the man did not know how to juggle, he just didn't have the balls to do it. ~*~

Bluesy Socrateaser
Member Elite

since 2002-11-07

Posts 2417
In The Mirror

7 posted 2014-02-21 12:58 PM

quote:
I want to know why men are cruel
to people

These are your words.

Show a little respect in your tone Jerry. You're behaving like a child.

...just bein' Bluesy

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