A poetic reflection on wisdom.
Author’s note: I was reflecting today on how those of us, who are products of modern western culture, tend to overlook the inherent wisdom of the elders of our world. Other cultures have great respect for the accumulated knowledge and experience of those in their descending years — and thus, tap a valuable store of awareness. This is an ode to elders.
Elders
•
reason’s blaze
burned brightly
now spent
insight’s tinder vanquished
left ashen
no threat to incandesce
your flame of logic
once stark against the dark
of ignorance and
narrow vision
flared radiant
sparking inquiry
bold beacon
a seeker’s torch
your enlightened fire
too soon a pyre
reduced now to ember
but warming those
who draw near
and stir
your smoldering wisdom
…
rob kistner © 2007
Hi Rob,
Delay is the word and apologies for the late response to your comment on my blog.I’d be happy to add you in my blog list(i.e if you ok with it) and vice versa.
It is strange that a friend and I were talking bout elders last night and thought to ourselves”what would have happened to us without them”
I guess we would not have been here at all!!!
you are my elder too and a warm hug to you.
Cheers,
D
Deepthi –
I feel your love… 😉
We will exchange links.
I think its very strange that even now when the population pyramid is flattening and we have an ageing population we still in the Western world so often don’t listen to our elders. Good reminder.
Juliet –
That is partly because our elders are, sadly, trying to deny their age. It is an epidemic of denial.
People are losing the richness of their garnered experiences, trading it for Botox injections, and ridiculous desperation to remain — “forever young”, instead of vigorously and energetically mature. …a world of taught-faced zombies…
I like the ‘smoldering wisdom’ Most elders I know possess this.
Patti –
Thank you! 😉
More wisdom than a lot of us realize.
I love this poem and its myriad images of truth and beacons of light- it’s absolutely the case that elders aren’t cared for enough in the world, even though they’re full of wisdom and guidance. In some cultures, they are stll revered and respected, but not so much in the West. Wonderful poem!
Good message, and nice repetition of all those firelight words. Leaving “now spent” alone in its line was poignant.
So much truth in this, Rob, and so well said. I like the images you chose of fire and embers.
How true Rob. Our elders are full of wisdom and most turn a deaf ear to what they could teach us.
Great poem, you hit it on the nail. If our young would but listen,oh what visions to come. Beautiful.
I love your Blog and stop by often.
love-Melanie-bd
Living here in FL we have so many “elders” but it is as you say, so many want to deny their precious wisdom. Your poem was very heartfelt and it made me think of all that my dad offered me as my closest and dearest elder…
This was filled with poignant truths. My son in law belong to the near by Mi-Wuk tribe. I see the respect for elders in him and I am thrilled it will be passed to my grandson. This generation called the “me” generation scares me. Well done!
Tara –
Thank you!
Elders in the western culture are an overlooked source of guidance.
That said, aged politicians, with their deceit and corrupted ways, and visible notoriety — do daily damage to the image of elder as ‘trusted’ fountain of wisdom. It’s a sad shame… 🙁
Deb –
Glad you found some resonance in the words!
The brilliance of the blaze does diminish with age, as youth is “spent” — but the embered “heat” of the wisdom is great!
Clare –
Thank you!
While the image of fire as knowledge has been used before, I feel it is a ‘brilliant’ representation — so why fix what ain’t broken in literature… 😉
Melanie –
I appreciate your compliment!
It is wonderful to hear that you visit from time to time. Please know that you are most welcome here, and I invite to share your thoughts with each visit… 🙂
Regina –
Bravo to you and your father!
I am thrilled to hear you say that… 🙂
Sadly, the positive influence of the elder(s) closest to us in our formative years, our parent(s), often fails to connect — for one reason or another. It is so important that it does, provided it is sound counsel from a sound source.
Diminished mental capacity can be the result of aging — but in reality, that is a much smaller percentage of our elders than our modern western culture would have us believe.
Unfortunately, in our western culture, it seems an assumed conclusion that all the aged are diminished mentally — so we have tended for decades to herd them into attended ‘barracks’, and drug them to oblivion.
By and large, the business world ‘drives’ them away, unwilling to have anything to do with them — save in menial positions. They then lose their independence, and end up on the dole.
Thus, it is a subtly ‘learned’ response, by western culture elders, to all too often play the role of feeble — or out of frustration, allow themselves to be medicated to that condition.
The western culture image of the ‘crotchety old geezer’ might seem endearing, but often what that reflects is a bitter resentful elder — who has become so as a reaction to being rejected or ignored. Not very endearing when looked at from that perspective.
Western culture has much to learn. Hopefully we will learn before it is too late. Perhaps with the sheer size of the Boomer generation, the role of elder as wise counsel might become part of our culture.
Of course, that assumes the Boomer generation will ‘grow up’ emotionally as a whole, and stop acting so juvenile at times. I don’t mean to say that our elders should not pursue zest, vigor, and vitality — that’s great, and to be commended.
What I am saying is, let’s take the insane level of emphasis off the hedonistic, egotistical focus on the ‘external body’, and concentrate much more on bringing forth the richness and beauty of the ‘internal being’ – but that is a topic for a whole other discussion.
Rob, what a wonderful tribute. I’m still in my thirties but have always enjoyed having “elder”-ly friends because of that wisdom, that spark you so vividly describe. This is an important thing to talk about, so thank you!
Tammy –
I am glad it spoke to you!
For me personally, the role of elder in society is a very important issue — both the responsibility involved in assuming the role, and the necessary respect that should be afforded it.
The cultures of the first people of this continent have a better grasp on the mantle of elder — as do many indigenous cultures.
Hopefully, we all will someday.
CG –
I’m pleased you embrace this piece!
Oh yes, I remember my thirties… 😉
Like you, I have always included ‘elders’ in my circle of friends. At 60, I am an elder to some at this stage of my life.
But I have been mentored in an undertaking, over the past couple years, by a gentleman whom I’ve watched improve from 80 to 82-years-of-age. He is brilliant, and I will miss him so, should he ever go.
We at tmes forget that they have so much wisdom to offer. It touches a chord.
Gautami –
I’m pleased it resonates for you… 😉
Yes, we all forget at times.