and offered for prompt 132 at One Single Impression,
and for prompt 231 at Sunday Scribblings….
•
rise up
clad in colors of a joyful life
rebuke the strife
tilt against convention
the prevailing norm
is a toxic storm
buck the winds of rebuff
ignore the false contention
stare down the face of ridicule
if buffeted by cruel
condemnation
shun the foolish
sadly blown off course
by the brutish force
of blind conformation
be not inclined to fear
nor falter
choose instead
to quell their mindless dread
and so to alter
the contradiction
which grips their head
stay one’s ground
leaning hard on raw conviction
wait the weight
until one’s strength is found
be anchored bold
and deeply hold
to the true and genuine
until your patience spent
revives again
do not resent
remain flexible
to withstand the blows
resisting those
who would see you swayed
and lowly bent
who would see
your spirit broken
for so to savor
instead
raise high your head
don’t ever waver
be never rigid
brittle
prone to break
do not forsake
your heart song
eschew the wayward
noisy throng
breakthrough
wisdom is a supple soul
struck through
by true enlightenment
pierced clean and strong
by wonder
bleeding tolerance
and promise
• • •
rob kistner © 2010
Normally, as I wander round the blogs I follow and the entries to Sunday Scribblings, I think “oh thats nice” or “oo I really like that” This is different. Your words have struck a chord, touched my heart. Thank you seems a bit small, but thank you all the same.
Karen, you are most welcome, and most gracious — thank you…
…rob
Rob, I am overawed with your write.. it is beautiful
The lines:
wisdom is a supple soul
struck through
by true enlightenment
held me from the collar and made me come out of slumber.. indeed profound.
I am very pleased this piece engaged you Ramesh… 😉
…rob
What an amazing poem- I will be reading it a few times to see what else I glean from the words you choose- and you choose them well- same with the image- gorgeous!
Thank you very much Patti, you are most gracious… 😉
…rob
So beautiful and encouraging. Thanks for this gem, Rob.
You are welcome Sandy. thank you for the very kind words… 😉
…rob
Beautiful words. Your poem is both inspiring and uplifting.
Thank you WG, and welcome to Image & Verse — please visit me again… 😉
…rob
Delightful, as always, Rob.
Much thanks Tilly…
…rob
oh rob – this is gorgeous, as your work usually is. Sorry I have been absent from the beach but real life is taking over right now. Hope things calm down soon and I can return.
Dee, thank you for the gracious words — we would love to see your footprints in the sand again, so here’s hoping things settle so you can return… 😉
…rob
Rob, I love the rebellious spirit behind the earlier stanzas of this poem, and all the subsequent advice is great.
To change the subject, I have a prompt to suggest for Writer’s Island, but don’t know where to send it.
Could you email me?
I was apparently in the mood to rant and pontificate when I wrote this one Viv… 😉
Not my very best work, but obviously something I needed to say — glad you liked it…
…rob
Nice again, Rob. 🙂 To me this is a poem of good advice for one who is uncertain of his/her choices.
When you got to this part I got really sad:
“resist(ing) those [brackets my read]
who would see you swayed
and lowly bent
who would see
your spirit broken
for so to savor.”
So much the other choice here will lead to slavery or worse. It happens and happens and is so sad when. Quite often the choice is made for a supply of street drugs. Very often by a run-away youth.
..
So many ways in life to be enslaved Jim, if one is not careful — drugs, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, food, sex, jealousy, bigotry… the list goes on and on. One must seek balance, and live mindful of one’s center — and in so doing, grow and remain grounded in dignity and integrity… in wisdom…
…rob
Rob, a powerful poem. There are so many lines that I love, stanzas I’d like to quote. The ending is sublime. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful poem.
You are welcome Mr. Walker, and thank you for your gracious words…
…rob
Jingle Poetry : http://jinglepoetry.blogspot.com/
welcome to sign in to follow our blog, and join our new poetry community,
Monday Poetry Potluck is open American Central Time:
Sunday, 8pm to Tuesday, 8pm, you have 48 hours to link in 1 to 3 poems…it could be an old poem …
check us out and hope to see you tomorrow.
Cheers!
your talent soars here…
Sounds interesting Jingle, and thank you for your kind words…
…rob