I don't believe in anything,
and I don't believe in nothing.
I laugh rather sadly when I see one of our species try to define reality.
They have fostered all of these values,
and defined all of these meanings.
I praise them for their efforts.
It isn't easy to define things.
Every little thing, you see, is connected to the universe.
Every square inch of space can tell you so much more than you need to know about the cosmos as a whole.
Unfortunately we can't define or explain the infinite inconsistencies.
So hu created values.
Each one of us places a weight on the meaning to certain things.
We always fail to acknowledge a million or so little variables.
Knowingly we strike on what we perceive to be the most important points of the equation,
usually one we have the tools to define or understand.....
then we try to pass on the meaning.
Nothing in the world is good,
nothing in it is evil.
But we're screaming and polemic supporters of a false dichotomy.
If we feel we can agree.
Or we feel we may have created it.
If we don't understand this basic dictum,
All dichotomy is false in the eyes of actuality,
in truth
we can't begin to understand anything.
The opposites are only comparisons.
They sharpen our intellectual tools,
but they don't define reality.
Let's beat on a drum and babble meaninglessly at each other.
Somehow, I feel that will get us farther.
A contest entry
- methadone & thistle ( to burn a poem ) by jaunty pill.
1800 points, ended May 9, 2007, 18 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
My brain hurts worse than yours.
Comments
1 - 22 of 22
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This is an excellent piece. I really like this. It's interesting and insightful
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finally something really intelligent in this site from someone who really seems to know what he is talking about!! great write mate!! btw, have you studied fuzzy logic?
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And so I return.
I do want to mention one thing that stands out to me...Although it is not entirely new to just this particular poem. As it is almost a trademark in your collection. I'm going to just come out and say it anyways:
You have always used long lines in your poetry and I think that is what makes you such a powerful writer , However , I would like to see some of this trimmed down. Maybe even you might consider tightening up some of the lines that seem to trail off to just one word on the next line...Like in line eight going to nine , For example.
Guess that's really where my biggest problem is. You have all the great images and profound attention to detail and observation , But I do think your poem could be more powerful with a mere nip and tuck here and there.
O.k. That's it. You know I dig this though. I always enjoy reading your thought-provoking poetry.
- james
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I'm stuck in this situation where I believe an efficiency of words is crucial, but sometimes those extras help set the tone, and seem to smooth out the fabric a bit. I agree with you though. I often tell people to sharpen it up. On the other hand I feel like it can remove something of the human element. As I'm rewriting, that's the largest part of the work I do. Like most pieces, this is a one off I threw down and haven't really revisited critically. Thanks for the comment. I always appreciate constructive criticism and will always think more of people for it.
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Understanding nothing
s you say " Pull yourself up by the bootstraps" In my life the one understanding I need is not from made up words from man. The universe , I believe holds the answer. So I search further. Haunted by mams games & looking outward towards the Anunnaki. Our Universe & theirs
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Don't fool yourself into thinking man and words aren't part of nature and the universe. But don't fool yourself into thinking it's more than a small part.
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Dude, we should talk more. It's like someone else wrote my poem. Damn right: Language is convenient, and humanity lacks humility. Until we figure that out, the George W. Bushes of the world will continue getting elected.
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impossible that your brain hurts worse... absolutely impossible. unless you have a 20 page paper to write, and four finals coming up. no... then it would hurt equal. maybe if you have a 21 page paper...
onto your poem - it made me laugh. i liked your last two lines. they were cute.
no substance in this comment. but then, you didn't ask for substance up there in your little 'my brain hurts worse than yours' spot.
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Thanks for reading and commenting.
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I must say, it's complexity in it's entirety is where the attraction lies, it really is the metaphor for the human existence, incredibly appealing to the active mind, and incredibly insightful to, your name reveals it all, poetry for the intelligent, and images that relfect that too.
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It's difficult to talk about the indefinable. I'm too literal about it, and many here do it much more subtly than me. I just throw the stick. Then I go get the stick.
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You whip up a good one sir...Even for a pre-write. Which bascially means this can certainly stay. I shall return in do course to say more later on in the contest.
Good luck and thanks for entering ,
James
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Thanks for posting a really good contest. Some excellent poems came out of the wood work. That's what most contests should do, in my somewhat snotty opinion.
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no.... My brain hurts worse than yours!!!
lol, but a nice piece anyhow!!! xx
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lol....quite insightful. I agree with this. I haven't ever heard it put quite this way. this had a really raw feel to it. nice, very nice! thanks for sharing. peace and light, kp
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Thanks bro.
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Ha! some really valid points!check out my poems 'cruel sleep' and 'drama king' for parallel themes..
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k
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I like the way you ended it. It brings a great close to a long explanitory piece. It has a very primal closure refering back to in the end we are all just a bunch of apes. This piece not my cup of tea but well expressed points. Thank you for sharing.
~SongByrd
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Glad you liked something different.
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Beautiful, sharp, and analytical. Stephen Hawkins said that the "greatest barrier to knowledge is the illusion of knowledge," and I think you've expressed that sentiment wonderfully. I don't know if you read Nietzche, but he also talks about the foolish value judgements we place on actions, like "good" and "evil." Why live with guilt? Why complicate things? All in all, I was pleasantly surprised to see a poem here threaded with so many philosophical themes, and stated so clearly...
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Glad you enjoyed it. I haven't read Nietzche. I certainly should.
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