If there is more than one way to do something, then there is no reason to choose one way over the other.
I need to find a new reason to do things.
All the while I've been doing things with the aim to get certainty.
That was my reason.
There is no certainty.
The desire for certainty is the error of consciousness by definition.
Consciousness is erroneous by definition, yet it still exists.
I need to find a new reason to create.
Therein lies the error.
My new reason could be that, "I do what I want."
The question to be asked is, "why?"
To ask that question alludes to the desire for certainty.
The error is the ability to question.
Don't question. Act.
Do what you want. Certainty can never be gained. It can't be used as a reason to act.
Doing what you want is an uncertain act.
Questioning is not acting.
Questioning is looking for certainty.
It is the desire for certainty. There is no certainty.
Author notes
Written February 18th, 2006
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more5600,
I never insisted that the poem was appropriate, I just wanted to fully understand why it wasn't.
When I made the statement about the disqualification and discussion, I was unclear, I meant that (and according to my understanding of "no definitions of the word simple") since my poem was disqualified we were allowed to talk about the definition of the word. Anyhow, this is all moot now since I'm about to say that you are right and I was wrong.
Ok, you are right and I was wrong.
-Henry
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Hypothetical: You're a person interested in entering a contest that clearly states the subject matter should be limited to:
"simple, quiet thoughts on any topic-
please no definitions of simple
- simple moments- simple things- simple thoughts-"
upon reading this you then proceed to write and enter a convoluted, sophomoric poem that I will charitably call "philosophical" in nature. Then instead of just admitting the poem was completely inappropriate for the contest you go on to insist that it is.
The instruction "please no definitions of simple" means that the poem should not be merely a definition of the word "simple", not that there is no definition of the word. It's that simple.
In your reply to me you state "since my poem was disqualified, we're not discussing this within the contest anymore" then you go on to discuss nothing but the contest for the remainder of you post. Although I admit if you were God your poem would be considered simple, since you're not, at best it could be considered simple-minded. Regardless the question is and should remain is this poem about, simple MOMENTS,, simple THINGS, simple THOUGHTS or is it an exercise in mental masturbation. It is so very sad that you would think that the simple things in life, a loving gesture, a moment between mother and child, an act of charity, or any of the little things that make us human would be just "trivialities", while all the while "trivial" is probably the best way to describe your piece.
Henry you are simply amazing. -
more5600,
Hypothetical: I'm an omniscient god. This means that quantum physics is within my boundary of knowledge (as is everything), and therefore I understand it with ease. It's simple to me. The point is that one of the main criteria of the contest was, "no definitions of simple", meaning that the definition of what is simple cannot be discussed because it will never be mentioned (since my poem was disqualified, we're not discussing this within the contest anymore). I understand this to mean that anyone could enter any 20 line or less free verse poem about whatever they choose to write about because simplicity is such a subjective concept. If the creator of the contest wanted stuff about washing dishes, or taking a shower, or delivering the mail, then the title of the contest should have been something like Trivialities of the Middle Class.
-Henry -
No matter what the subject matter, there is one thing that is not debatable this is not a poem regarding the simple things of life...I think that is painfully obvious:
Doing what you want is an uncertain act.
Questioning is not acting.
Questioning is looking for certainty.
It is the desire for certainty. There is no certainty.
come on man be serious.... -
Dear Amazing Henry-
The concepts contained in your little poem were silly and obvious- The poem contained nothing which makes poetry- poetry- There was no metaphor, no internal rhyme, no alliteration- nothing which led the reader to think poetry. Besides all that- it did not fit my contest criteria. My comments were directed simply to pacify you and leave you feeling good about your work. I hope it worked.
Mary
Edited on Feb 18, 7:48 p.m. because ''. -
Yes, you will be graded depending on how well you answer of course.
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is this a quiz?-
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I understand. I have a few questions though, if you don't mind. You say it's a good topic to address, and another said it was a good topic to write about, but I'm wondering just what exactly do you think the topic is? The poem seems straightforward, and I know what the topic is, but I'd like to hear your thoughts. And also, could you elaborate a little more on "While there is certainly room for interpretation - there is still reason in choices."
-HTA -
This is a great topic to address and you do so very well- i agree with the other reviewer however that these are complex ideas and do not fit the criteria of my contest. While there is certainly room for interpretation - there is still reason in choices.
thank you but i will have to remove this from the contest.
m -
good
good topic to write about. -
well the way i viewed was with a mind of feeling the simple essence, we are all unique and you took your take on the meaning. it's all good by me.
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Ah ha! But in the rules of the contest is it not stated that no definitions of "simple" shall be given? Also notice that this statement does not convey WHERE the definition of simple shall not be given, whether it shall not be in a poem, or whether it shall not be in a comment. This is precisely the reason I entered the contest, and precisely the reason I commented on the contest saying how it is so interpretive. No?
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i read this a couple of minutes ago and i thought it was good but didn't really convey simple. if anything, it leads to complexity i thought.
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