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Street Heart
Member
since 2002-09-05
Posts 349
Pennsylvania,USA

0 posted 2004-05-24 05:21 PM



I held an offering
      outstretched in grip
   and through the filter of your knowledge
      tainted by deep misconception,
         you perceived a hidden threat
            to who you claim you are...

There are so varied "wrappings"
   that may encase a "treasure".
For whatever giv'n occasion
   or perhaps for none at all,
I suppose it's only natural
   to question tokens from a "stranger",
but how many times do we lose a gift
   by fearing imaginary "falls"?

The difference in the wrapping
   does not change the solid value.
The labels you invent
   with which you place your definitions
      ignore the truth of what is there.
If you could only fully see just who I am
   despite the tag you've come to know
      and behaviors of the others of the same,
         but you are scared.

Perhaps we all live too much in "boxes"...
   feeling safe within the differences
      we hold in comfort with the same.
But now assume the possibility
   there perhaps could be a "treasure"
      who lives quite near or even with you
         with a somewhat different name
that's hidden deep within the layers
   of chameleonic trappings or adapted presentation.
Great fear exists within those guarded walls...
   of possible disclosure of the things
      you discern with consternation...
There's no intimacy of sharing
   and all understanding stalls.

How many lives are unlived
   by fear of misinterpretation?
How many words are left unspoken
   from many hearts that are the same?
Embellishments may vary,
   but are lost in the translation.
It seems we all do play the label game.

We all think we know the truths
   that lead to pointing fingers of accusation.
So easy for so many to cast initial stone.
Our hopes,our needs,our fears
   appear to alter interpretation.
For these very things,in sameness,
   a broken heart cannot atone.

And so I still desire to hand to you my offering,
   but my fear of your rejection
      keeps my hands for all my deference.
It is so difficult to see our basic commonality.
   Seems we are blinded to
      the sameness of our difference.


If a man has not discovered something he is willing to die for,his life is not worth living.

Martin Luther King,Jr. Detroit,1963

[This message has been edited by Street Heart (05-25-2004 02:21 AM).]

© Copyright 2004 Geoffrey Sonnen - All Rights Reserved
Beasley
Senior Member
since 2003-11-28
Posts 682
Cheboygan,MI USA
1 posted 2004-05-24 05:40 PM


You demonstrate such sensitivity in your writing. That's wonderful!
Many of the things we do are done because of underlying fear. You really captured that.
Barb

midnightblues
Senior Member
since 2000-07-01
Posts 1597
Singapore
2 posted 2004-05-25 01:13 AM


Very sensible advice! You are really talented!  

Love
MiCheLLe

If there cannot be equal in affection, then let the one with more be me - midnightblues

Joyce Johnson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
3 posted 2004-05-25 01:45 AM


The samness of our difference.I like that.
It really tells the whole story.  It's too bad that we have to walk in fear.  Joyce

Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

4 posted 2004-05-25 08:10 AM


Oh Geoffrey, you've touched me with this one, I began to pick my fav lines and found myself quoting the whole.

Fabulous m'friend.

Maree

The clouds never expect it when it rains, but the sea, changes colour, but the sea, does not change.
~Stevie Nicks~

eor
Senior Member
since 2002-09-26
Posts 959
blues & greys
5 posted 2004-05-25 05:00 PM


wow, this si the first thing i have read of yours and let me tell you, it floored me!

great write, adding this for sure

Beauty is truth, truth beauty

Street Heart
Member
since 2002-09-05
Posts 349
Pennsylvania,USA
6 posted 2004-05-25 11:30 PM


Thank you all very much for your comments.I have to be honest.I feel that this offering is incomplete.I feel there is so much to be said in reference to very real needs and desires we all share...and fears and misconceptions of others.It seems so easy for some to condemn others for things they don't understand.But that's just the point,isn't it? So many don't even try to "walk in another's shoes" or perceive why they are troubled or why they do the things they do.Not seeing the truth of our basic needs and/or deficits fosters labels of hate that separates people;lover from lover,parent from child, neighbor from neighbor.Being that I feel that there is much more to be said,I shall await my Muse to discuss a part II.

Peace,Street Heart

If a man has not discovered something he is willing to die for,his life is not worth living.

Martin Luther King,Jr. Detroit,1963

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
7 posted 2004-05-26 11:05 AM


Geoffrey~

'How many lives are unlived
   by fear of misinterpretation?
How many words are left unspoken
   from many hearts that are the same?'


The sensitivity of your thoughts come through so expertly, my friend~

I agree, you still have much to say on this~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost,
the spirit rejoices over what it has left.
- Sufi epigram <))><

noles1@totcon.com

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
8 posted 2004-05-26 12:54 PM


it's good to see you again...I was wondering where you have been

I always love reading you

Street Heart
Member
since 2002-09-05
Posts 349
Pennsylvania,USA
9 posted 2004-05-27 01:30 AM


Thanks so much,Marge.

What a nice thing to say,passing shadows.
Much thanks to you.

Geoffrey

If a man has not discovered something he is willing to die for,his life is not worth living.

Martin Luther King,Jr. Detroit,1963

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