A Poet's Blog: Roger N.Taber shares his thoughts & poems...

Thoughts and observations by English poet Roger N. Taber, a retired librarian and poet-novelist.- "Ethnicity, Religion, Gender, Sexuality ... these are but parts of a whole. It is the whole that counts." RNT [NB While I have no wish to create a social network, I will always reply to critical emails about my poetry. Contact: rogertab@aol.com].

Name:
Location: London, United Kingdom

Sadly, a bad fall in 2012 has left me with a mobility problem, and being diagnosed with prostate cancer the same year hasn't helped, but I get out and about with my trusty walking stick as much as I can, take each day as it comes and try to keep looking on the bright(er) side of life. Many of my poems reflect the need to nurture a positive-thinking mindset whatever life throws at us.

Tuesday, 4 February 2020

Mentor for a Learning Curve



Several readers have emailed to ask why I do not use social media to promote my poetry. Well, I no longer use social media because I got fed-up with stupid trolls taking up my digital (and personal) space.

One reader asks if it is because I fear criticism. On the contrary, I thrive on genuine criticism, for better, for worse. Similarly, I do not publish comments on the blog although I read them all and will reply if readers include an email address.

I am 73 now (since the winter solstice) and have known better days, but always looking on the bright side of life. Even so, I don’t socialise much now so enjoy exchanging emails all the more as it helps me feel in touch with the world beyond my own four walls. (Spammers beware, though, as I have learned the hard way to spot whether or not an email is genuine …)

MENTOR FOR A LEARNING CURVE

I will take your hand
through good times and bad,
help dry your tears
come happy days and sad,
lend a shoulder whenever the need
never knowingly intrude

You have my ear
should you ever want to offload,
confide any fears,
or doubts about which road
to take whenever the way ahead a blur,
mind-body-spirit unsure

I but ask for your trust
whenever needs must we share
the consequences
of doing this, going there,
as advised against by family and friends,
conscience justifying ends

Let us reason with any need
so confronting the human mind
that the human heart
feeds on desires of a kind
it once thought well and truly risen above
if never (quite) left behind

I am Discernment, come to teach you how
to best grapple with any Here-and-Now

Copyright R. N. Taber 2019


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