The key to lasting happiness is this,
to know and love oneself with open eyes;
a child of nature worthy of a kiss,
with common faults, no more than common size.
In days of trouble when the world is dark,
the key to lasting happiness is this,
to search for hope and find a little spark,
to nurture resolution and persist.
When challenges assail one, never miss
the chance to measure up instead of down.
The key to lasting happiness is this,
to be oneself and earn a just renown.
The final wisdom is that no one's life
consists of permanent unchanging bliss -
there is a time for peace, a time for strife;
the key to lasting happiness is this.
© Margaret I. Gibson, All rights reserved, Jan 6 2007 8:39 AM
In a list
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Enjoyable Truth
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Outstanding. Beautiful lines 3 and 4! Also love "the chance to measure up instead of down". I don't know the name of the form, but excellent inclusion of the initial line in repititions, such that it doesn't seem overdone. Nicely done rhyme scheme and meter.
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Thank you Mirthryl. This is similar to quatern form, but in 10 syllable lines, instead of the normal 8. I like repetition, there are several forms which use it.
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Thank You, miMarg
Oh, this is as always full of the inspiration of hope and positive ways... there is much wisdom here and it is a gift, as are you...I am grateful for your words and heart and more...
and many, many kind and healing, hopeful thoughts to you!
mimi
s <--- All that you may hold or simply enjoy!
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<----- perfumey ones.
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wonderful, Margaret! "to measure up instead of down." Yes, indeed, the zipper of humanity.
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That's the key
I think that is the key is to go with the flow and know in times of strife things will flow back to peace if "happiness is one's choice." I love the border pearls that complements these pearls of wisdom.
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It's necessary to remind myself that what comes, also goes. Thanks for the sanity, Sea.
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This is a very positive poem which can really serve to uplift the spirits of its reader. I see so much truth in your words. "The final wisdom is that no one's life
consists of permanent unchanging bliss" are two very lovely lines. I think this a beautiful poem.
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Thank you Zai, that has been a helpful idea for me. Really, nothing stays the same, not ourselves, nor our situations, nor other people. Often change causes conflict, but knowing that it is normal reduces the pain.
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Pearls of Wisdom
Reword to order to reward pearl border ... line
To be oneself and earn a just renown
when equity's a quality much missed,
can cause most optimists to tearful drown
their sorrows where they dare no more persist.
The key to lasting happiness is blown
upon the shipwreck tides time often sends
when pomp and circumstance together thrown
confuse, tie, justify, both means and ends.
Unchanging bliss is but lobotomy
or selfish failure to shed sham disguise,
unchallenged as self-knowledge turns the key
to bar all open source, - scars shutter eyes
to ills that fill this universe of ours,
where 'Nature's children' empathy resist,
where sharing wears a mourning coat, where powers
may "sleep, perchance to dream" once they're dismissed.
7 January 2007
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Lovely
Thank you Jonathan.
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Perfect!
Oh, superb wisdom Margaret!.. and the refrain line is just perfect. This should be set to music, it would make a wonderfully inspiring song
Gennelle
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Thanks Gennelle
It means a lot to me that you think this is wise.
I bet there is a 10 10 10 10 melody out there.
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Comment by quotes
"I read a comment on someone's page once that said, 'Be yourself.' From what I've seen from most people trying to be themselves, I'd suggest they try instead to be someone else.
Sir Ima Cucumber
"My life I maintain is founded on this...that everything being equal...ignorance is bliss."
Bonko The Clown
"As I got older I learned one important thing...that no one really knows much of anything...that is why I let the neighbor's dog make decisions for me."
Psycho Dave
And since we're all quoting the great Mr. Burns:
"[Stone flies through Mr. Burns' office window]
"Look Smithers, a bird has become petrified and lost its sense of direction."
Montgomery Burns
Okay, this one is for all my pessamistic pals:
"Happiness was but the occasional episode in a general drama of pain."
Thomas Hardy, The Mayor of Casterbridge
"There are always lots of keys...they just never fit any of my locks."
Yemassee
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Good quotes
I could reply to Mr. Hardy that pain is an occasional drama in a life of general happiness, but he wouldn't understand. And to Mr. Yemassee I would say that both the lock and the key are within him. And you know why Burns was quoted in the first place.
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No you can't reply to Mr. Hardy, he's dead. And it was also fiction and not necessarily Hardy's POV...it is mine sometimes though. And you can't tell Yem a thing, as you know, the poor boy is daft.
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Full of wisdom and style- nicely done!
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This is very true..it made me think of Proverbs when I read it..aweosme job on this one. I loved it.
Kari -
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Thanks!
Thanks Kari - you are reading everything I write recently!
The reference to Proverbs is great, it is one of my favorite books. "A time for war, a time for peace" comes from Ecclesiastes, which derived from the Egyptian wisdom tradition.
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I do love this. The form is wonderful, and I'll figure out which one it is, but I just adore it. As usual, your wisdom is encouraging to those who listen with such ardor. hugs, Patricia
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grins
Dear Patricia, I'm so happy that you like this. This is a poem in iambic pentameter with a moving refrain like a quatern, but the quatern form specifies 8 syllable lines.
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Much Wisdom
Gentle, and filled with meaning at the same time. A Happy Thought for the New Year. Hugh's already quoted Burns, (though I think the words are those of Lady Nairne (Scottish pedantry again) ), but I love the thought they express. Anyone who expects life to be unchanging bliss maun be disappointed, but that shouldn't stop us from trying. Live in Peace, and have the happiest of Happy New Years. K. -
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Thanks
and a happy new year to you, Keith.
Having been around the block once or twice, I feel I have the authority to give advice. I'm happy you corroborate it!
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Dear Margaret,
As a Quatern, this is not only beautifully constructed
with flawless meter and the well-thought rhyming that is a hallmark of your writing but it conveys a message of much wisdom and import I am bookmarking this into what is now the second volume of "MargaretG Bookmarks"
(Volume One being already full to capacity!)
I hope the winter in Ukraine is not too severe and that you and your husband have had an enjoyable Christmas and entered the New Year in good health and spirit.
May I quote Robbie Burns by saying "Will Ye no' come back again?"
Love and hugs, XXX Hugh.
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Dear Hugh, thanks for your comment and applause. I'm pleased that you found this pleasing - I'd be interested in your list of bookmarks, people think I should publish.
This is a mild winter so far, the snow melted within a day each time it fell. The reports of icy hills and impassable streets in other years have not come to pass.
Why are you quoting Burns at me? I'm still here.
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