Puddles OR Cues for Positive Thinking

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

Today's poem first appeared on the blog in 2013.

Now rainy days are not uncommon here in the UK.

Ah, but there is inspiration (maybe even a poem) to be found even in a rainy day. I was once quoted as saying "there is a poem in everything around us" whereupon I was challenged to write one about ... yes, puddles!

As  I watch ripples in a puddle spread as far as its space allows, I can't help thinking how all we say and do are like ripples, spreading as far as global consciousness (or conscience) allows. 

PUDDLES or CUES FOR POSITIVE THINKING

Reflections of an angry sky

skimming the surface like ripples

from raindrops ...

Sulky mouths, creased brows

skimming the surface like ripples

from raindrops ...

Fearful fingers clutching collars

skimming the surface like ripples

from raindrops ...

Umbrellas, scoring points

skimming the surface like ripples

from raindrops ...

Bowed heads like sad clouds

skimming the surface like ripples

from raindrops ...

Better times around the next corner

skimming the surface like ripples

from raindrops 

Copyright R. N. Taber 2004

[From: The Third Eye by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2004]

War of Words

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

“You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” - John Lydgate (English poet)

In my humble opinion, they should not go into politics who fail to appreciate the wisdom of Lydgate’s words. Most if not all of us have to compromise sometimes; it requires give and take on all sides to get the best deal available for everyone in what are inevitably circumstances enough to test anyone’s mettle. Sadly, fair play and politics (world, national and local) do not often go hand in hand; the rhetoric is there, and plenty of it - it's election fodder, after all - but sadly not always backed up by action.

This poem is a villanelle.

WAR OF WORDS

A war of words in everyone’s face,

fake news stirring up the media fray,

lending tunnel vision pride of place

Good intentions on everyone’s case,

rumours-and-gossip, Dish of the Day;

a war of words in everyone’s face 

Dead Cert, favourite to lose the race

(ever in the running, come what may)

lending tunnel vision pride of place

It’s a brave soul dares cut to the chase

once primed to keep home truths at bay;

a war of words in everyone’s face

Anticipation, needs must touch base,

providing the world with plenty to say,

lending tunnel vision pride of place

Should ever we fail to make our case,

it’s not the Devil we know wins per se;  

a war of words in everyone’s face,

lending tunnel vision pride of place

Copyright R. N. Taber 2019, 2020

[March 23^rd 2019]

Puddles

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

Rainy days are not uncommon here in the UK.

Ah, but there is inspiration (maybe even a poem) to be found even on rainy days. I was once quoted as saying there is a poem in everything around us whereupon I was challenged to write one about ... puddles!

As  I watch ripples in a puddle spread as far as its space allows, I can't help thinking how all we say and do are like ripples, spreading as far as global consciousness (or conscience) allows.

(Photo taken from the Internet)

PUDDLES

Reflections of an angry sky

skimming the surface like ripples

from raindrops ...

Sulky mouths, creased brows

skimming the surface like ripples

from raindrops ...

Fearful fingers clutching collars

skimming the surface like ripples

from raindrops ...

Umbrellas, scoring points

skimming the surface like ripples

from raindrops ...

Bowed heads like sad clouds

skimming the surface like ripples

from raindrops ...

Better times around the next corner

skimming the surface like ripples

from raindrops

[From: The Third Eye by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2004]

Yes, What ...?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

I once remarked to a friend that people can be are such a puzzle, to which he promptly replied that it probably was because we are such a puzzle to ourselves.

Ah, probably...

Sometimes we find it hard to express ourselves in words; if we are fortunate enough to be painters or musicians, we can often express ourselves better through those genres, certainly our deeper feelings.

At other times, we may express ourselves perfectly yet still be misunderstood because those with whom we wish to communicate choose to put their own interpretation on what we say rather than try and understand what we mean.

But what do we mean and do we ever mean quite what we say? Oh, but how often do we wish we had expressed ourselves differently!

Our use of weeds, paint, music, whatever...these all open up pathways to meaning that all parties concerned are free to follow; sometimes we are fortunate enough to follow the same path, and meaning is established. Yet, even where meaning is not fully established, the chances are our relationship with the other party will have entered a new dimension; one we are likely to explore whether consciously or subconsciously, and in so doing discover more about each other than before the dialogue began...even if we are not quite sure what, exactly.

YES, WHAT ...?

If I’d said this, or that,

said - what?

If I’d done this, or that,

done - what?

Tortured souls crying out

their guilt, left

hanging in some limbo

to - rot?

What good purpose, that?

None.

We cannot (ever) change

what’s done,

bring back loved ones

long - gone?

No, but here in the heart,

forever

willing us to live again,

move on;

Nothing, said or done then

would - what?

Have eased whose pain,

whose guilt?

Choices, rarely plain, but

ours alone

will take us here, there,

where?

No one to blame having

chosen - wrong?

Who’s to say, play judge

and jury?

Enough, surely, to be …

what, exactly?

[From: A Feeling For The Quickness Of Time by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2005]