Poets, it seems, are often too dismal
as if life and all in it were truly abysmal.
I too often strive to soothe worries with rhyme,
dwelling on sorrows and the passage of time.
When there's so much to celebrate, to chance and explore!
Seems very ungrateful to wish there was more.
Say I wrote all my troubles, one by one, in a row.
How much further the list of my blessings would go!
Just look at this glorious Eden we live in.
Can you think of one thing we haven't been given?
Miraculous! Perfect! Not one thing is wrong.
Still, men find every reason to not get along.
We have moonlight and sunsets and rainbows and flowers.
Deep, starry nights and bright, happy sun showers.
Wondrous creatures, every kind, shape and size.
Birds singing to greet us each day when we rise.
Such wonder and mystery without and within.
Well, I'm too full of love to hold it all in.
My heart feels as though it may split at the seams.
It can barely contain all my plans, hopes and dreams.
I'm completely astonished, awakened and free.
I'm everything that life should be!
I climb up a mountain to breathe in the air
and leave behind with each step one more useless care.
The sun ripples like laughter across the wide sea.
I smile at a flower and it smiles back at me.
The wind lifts a scent from the meadow below
and reminds me of the first girl I kissed, long ago.
I kneel in the clover, feel my spirit expand.
A bright butterfly stops to rest on my hand.
The clouds, ever present, yet no two the same
give lively imaginations a game.
"Look! A sailboat! A rabbit! An angel! A swan!."
And it's the best kind of game because no one's ever wrong.
Everyone should have a special place like my hill
just to rest and let the mind roam free where it will.
Far away from the traffic, the noise and the dust
in the crystal clear sunshine of a world they can trust.
Life's easy to master when we strive not to worry
and snatch up the whip from the cruel hand of hurry.
When we stop struggling to accumulate more than we need
for the god with the insatiable appetite - greed.
You can't take it with you. That old line is true.
And you know, when it's all said and done, we won't want to.
For when our old, mortal husks fall away and are buried,
all we'll need is the goodness and love that they carried.
So relax into life, breathe deep and let go.
Attain what you need but don't sell your soul.
For it's a treasure far beyond the mere baubles of men
and once lost, much harder to earn back again.
Just a few thoughts from my heart to yours
hoping that one or maybe two will endure
to make some dreary day a little bit brighter
and the load that you carry, perhaps, a bit lighter.
Though the author claims no special wisdom or power
to lecture from atop some ivory tower.
I'm just one more soul, no different from you,
whose made all the mistakes and a few new ones, too.
But somehow survived all those nights without end,
my tired, tattered spirit refusing to mend,
wondering what so much pain could be for,
the spiritual carnage of a personal war.
For it's in punishing ourselves that we can be most unkind
and the most torn, fearful battles take place in the mind.
But the hardest climb leads to the best, brightest view
so this is my humble message to you
like a bottle set adrift on some far, lonesome shore
from my small, solitary island to yours . . .
Though we may never meet, we are friends through this poem.
In this way, we can never be truly alone.
For though we're apart in time, place and name,
we are joined in the same, sanctified mortal game.
We may differ in doctrine, language and race
but in the most sacred ways, we have perfect grace.
We both dream and love. We both bleed and cry.
And as sure as we're living, we someday must die.
So now, while the grapes are plump on the vine,
take time to laugh and savor the wine.
Turn your heart to the beauty that's in and around you.
Walk gently, with love, and the same will surround you.
You'll surely see further the farther you go.
And remember - it's pain which helps us to grow.
For with all of its sadness, its heartache and strife,
with all of its sorrow, it's a wonderful life.
Yes, with all of its sorrow, it's a wonderful life.
- Mark Rickerby
Author notes
Option #1.
The picture is of me a few years ago jumping for joy at Canyon De Chelle in Navajo Nation, Arizona. Unfortunately, I was a "little" overweight at the time and when I landed on the edge of that big rock that had been there for a few million years, it flipped over and I fell off the cliff, sustaining multiple broken bones and a variety of other injuries. (Not really, but I had you going, didn't I? lol)
In a list
A contest entry
- Rhyme wisely by Joshua121.
300 points, ended October 19, 2004, 15 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Paint The Elegance Of Life by 2lullabyhaven.
475 points, ended September 25, 2007, 12 entries
Honorable winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 46 of 46
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Thank you for entering my contest! this was a very long poem.... but definatly worth the time it too to read. This one of the few happy poems that are good. Its amazing how much easier it is to put pain into a poem than it is to put happiness. It is definatly a challenge that you stepped up to. I think its hard too is that when we are happy....very rarely do we sit dow and write about it... whereas when we are angry amd sad depressed we need to write about it sometimes to get it all out.. Anyways Excellent write! Good Luck!
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Wow, you didn't leave much to the imagination, smile, did you? lovely inspiring write, thanks for sharing with me in this contest. lol
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Bravo!
Again, this is just beautiful, wouldn't it be grand if we could actually do this ALL of the time! I actually try, unless the country is hit by a massive life altering hurricane or something, don't you hate it when that happens? Now we meet at equal ground here, you do the same thing as I try to do. Keep it positive whenever possible. Look at the wonder! This piece is excellent! -
Hi Joshua,
Thank you so much for the gold in this contest and for all the encouraging words. I'm honored that you found so much truth in this poem. I worked hard on it and it has always been one of my personal favorites. It's nice to get one's personal philosophies down in a permanent way and then to hear others say, "Yeah, that's how I feel, too." It makes me feel less alone, and that's always a good thing.
Anyway, thanks again. I hope we can be good friends here.
Mark
P.S. I wouldn't mind at all if you added me to your favorites. Thanks for asking.
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Hi Brian,
Just responding to this very old comment from you. I dusted this off and entered it into a contest so I'm revisiting it. You're right - it is hard to write a positive poem without sounding sappy or trite. Thanks for letting me know I succeeded. I appreciate it.
I haven't crossed paths with you on AP lately. I hope all is well with you these days.
Mark -
Hi Plinkyponk,
I'm just going through some old messages and discovered this one from you.
"Nice flow and a lovely message that nearly made me cry. its great to read this one as i am a bit of a negative person myself so this was like soothing balm to my little knotted up mind its really good and i love the picture you put with it of someone leaping up into the air off a rock, wonderful...."
It means a lot to me that my poem made you feel a little happier. That's the supreme compliment.
Thanks,
Mark
P.S. By the way, the person who looks like he jumping off a cliff in the photograph is me. That was taken at Canyon De Chelles in Navajo Nation, Arizona. -
Hey Silverarm,
Thanks for the comment, although this was the first time a poem of mine was called "sickeningly sweet" - haha. It's kind of sad that we can't write about the sweet, simple things without being sickening, huh? lol I'm glad you liked it anyway, though. I've got to tell you - your comment cracked me up -
"That's a nice change from some of the things I see around this site: people dwelling on the unpleasantries of loss and pain. Your optimistic attitude is a breath of fresh air. Hmm ... now I shall scurry off and write more dark and depressing things."
That's too funny. With your sense of humor, I'm sure not all your work is depressing. I'll go check it out. Thanks again for the comments. -
oh god this is a beautiful peice. i really think you might win. oh and this is an exceptionaly insparational and beautifull piece. very few notace the good in the world like you have here. i truly love this! good luck!
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absolutely astounding at first i thought my favorite line was this. Life's easy to master when we strive not to worry
and snatch up the whip from the cruel hand of hurry. but as i continued to read i read i realized there would be no choosing of a favorite phrase because this poem is by far the best one ive ever read i love the wisdom and good advice that you give you have just said all the things ive been telling my friends and told me a few i needed to hear like i said before absolutely astonishing. thank you very much for entering my contest. i hope you dont mind but i will be adding you to my favorites list. good luck in the contest -
Thanks, Anna. I appreciate you making it all the way through this one. People are always telling me it's too long, which is typical with me. lol I really should learn how to be more concise but I can't seem to resist exploring the details.
Thanks for ignoring the phone for me! lol
Have a great day,
Mark -
This is such a wonderful peice of work. I was so caught up in reading it that when my phone rang I just let it go to voicemail. That could be bad for business. This is what I call inspiring. I will be bookmarking it to read over and over again.
Anna -
Sometimes its hard not to dwell on the negative, its human nature after all, so were only doing what comes naturally.
This was a very uplifting piece that complimented the picture well.
Thank you for entering.
Lisa x -
an incredibly sustained rollic through clean water. The meter was a little enthusiastic for me in one or two places, but that pales inc comparison to the cogent defense of niceness and positivity.
Not a Panglossian snow-job, you use the evidence of the senses, logic and the rhetoric of hope. The cloud game where "no one's ever wrong" and the appeal to other poets come off as perfectly sincere (harder than it sounds) and you work the rhyme very well.
Nicely done,
Brian -
a lovel piece you have created here and the background is also pretty nifty...goodluck
freda
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nice flow and a lovely message tat nearly made me cry. its great to read this one as i am a bit of a negative person myself so this was like soothing balm to my little knotted up mind its really good and i love the picture you put with it of someone leaping up into the air off a rock, wonderful....
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Wow. This was long but worth the read. The rhyming was great and didnt seem forced. Its so true to. Thats definitly what I was thinking when I made this contest. Good luck!
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Positively divine! Such a sweet poem! Couplets give such a happy, skipping quality, so good choice there. Nice little message.
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Almost sickeningly sweet and cheerful. Okay, I think perhaps it *is* sickeningly sweet and cheerful. Still, that's a nice change from some of the things I see around this site: people dwelling on the unpleasantries of loss and pain. Your optimistic attitude is a breath of fresh air. Good luck in the contest.
Hmm... now I shall scurry off and write more dark and depressing things.
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You did a good job with this... it's as beautiful as the parts of nature that you've written about! I like the rhyme scheme and the way it flowed. Very good! Good luck in the contest! ***smiles*** God bless you!! ~Melissa
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Yup... There are those that discover mistakes that are made, and I appreciate them because somehow they see what I have missed. That is the Mind's Eye....
I am intrigued with this one Mark. I have read it twice and will read it again. -
This is the most beautiful write in this category I have read in a long time!
So many truth in here! We are blessed on every breathe we take each day of our lives, life should be a celebration of joy and not a cry of sorrows. We can't know happiness without experience sadness, but that doesn't mean that we have to live or remembering the sad moments, for as the good ones are so obvious in front of us. Not to be blind for the beauty that life give us just like that, free of charges, doesn't take much all we have to do is to open our eyes and spirit and let to be touched by it.
Outstanding Mark! I bow myself to your wisdom!
Mari
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wow! a plethora of verse and images! wonderful...thank you for your comments on my work too. Yes, we give as much love as we can, but for some, it just isn't enough...they've worked themselves into a hole they can't get out of, or don't have the energy anymore to battle over time. Your poem is truly inspirational, I love it!
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heehee
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Thanks for the comment on Gratitude, Maureen. I have a tendency to be cynical sometimes. I guess another way to describe it is world weary. So it felt good to write one about the good stuff. As Honest Abe Lincoln said, "Folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." i.e., what we concentrate on EXPANDS. I know it and remind myself of it all the time but I still tend to slip into holes so deep, one good kick and I'd come out in China. haha This poem was really an attempt to fire on that negative part of myself.
I'm glad you liked it. Thanks again for your kind comments.
Mark -
Hi Kerry,
Sorry to hear you and Amanda have had the flu. I know there's a mean one going around. Just about everybody I know has had it. I've managed to avoid it somehow. I hope you both feel better soon.
Hasta la vista, baby (in suitable Ah-nold accent. haha)
Mark -
Hi Mark!
I've missed BEING at the dojo. I've been sick with the damned FLU! Amanda's been sick too. I hope to be back with Amanda at class this Monday (that would be Jan. 19? already - wow). Between Allpoetry website problems, and problems with my computer, I haven't even been able to be online much, either.
But I'll be back (in suitable Arnold accent, of course!)
~~Kerry -
Very nicely done!
LOL I love your sense of humor (well, that's, just, your, opinion)
Great poem! I searched for the poem you mentioned on your author page and decided this must be it (title greatly shortened). I'm going to bookmark this. When I need a boost, I'll read it again. Thanks for sharing such positive thoughts!
Maureen
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Thanks for the tips on the punctuation. It's funny. I submitted a manuscript to an editor once and one of his criticisms was that I was in love with comma's. I wrote back to him, "Well, that's, just, your, opinion." haha I think I've gone to the other extreme now and stopped using them at all.
Take care,
Mark -
Thank you Mark. I guess it's true that I can see some of the beautys in the world. I'm also very honored that I'm one of your favorite poets on this site. Your one of my favorites too. I've been sick so if I'm not in class on Wednesday I'll probably be in class next week. Again thank you.
~Amanda~ -
"I smile at a flower and it smiles back at me." <--Here there should be a comma in between flower and it. "For when our old, mortal husks.."<--Here between old and mortal there actually shouldn't be a comma. It's kind of a grilled cheese sandwich adjective thing; it's not appropriate to say say grilled and cheese sandwich, as it does not sound right to say old and mortal husks. "And it's the best kind of game because no one's ever wrong" <--Here you need a comma between game and because, I believe. That's pretty much it, or at least things of that nature. Like I said, the punctuation was done nicely in this piece; there were just a couple of areas. Again, nice write. Good luck!
Your Cerulean Dreamer,
Michele
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Hi Aimee,
I'm glad you have a few spiritual spots. So important. Then again, I am finding that one doesn't need to seek outside the self for adventure. Not always, anyway. Conquering ourselves is more important than conquering a mountain because we leave the mountain and the memory of it behind, but we're with ourselves forever. The heart has its own dark alleys and sunny boulevards. And as someone said, "The only zen you find on a mountaintop is the zen you take up there with you." Or - another of my favorites - "If you don't have a church in your heart, you won't find your heart in a church."
I hope all is well with you, my friend
Mark -
Hey Amanda,
I'm just going through the responses to this old poem and noticed your comment that you wish you could see the beauty in the world. I have read your poems and must beg to differ - I think you do. You may think your beauty is obscured by pain but it always shines through to me, both in your words and in your spirit in person. You're one of my favorite poets here and your poems and your kindness tell me that you're overcoming your injuries, if you know what I mean. As the old saying goes, "You can't keep a good man (or woman) down."
See you at the temple,
Mark -
Thanks CD,
If you get some time, please point out the punctuation errors. I must admit, I put more effort into the message than the presentation sometimes. It's a bad habit. Thanks for the comment.
Mark -
Simple and sweet. It didn't really provoke any thought on my part, but perhaps that is because it alligns with my beliefs already. There were some places that I noticed you misused punctuation, but for the most part that wasn't bad. I liked your imagery as in "So now, while the grapes are plump on the vine,
take time to laugh and savor the wine." Nicely done. Good luck!
Your Cerulean Dreamer,
Michele
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ohhh sweet music to my ears...
what a beautiful write!!!
I have a place, much like yours.. though it's not just
a spot to drive to.. it's inside, also. Living in Missouri..
there are MANY scenic places to go to.. just to 'get away' from
every day life. When feeling at my worst.. I jump in the car
and just go.. I stop where I feel the most at ease... which varies
each time.
You've got some excellent talent... I'm just amazed at your
ability to write such touching and powerful poems. I have enjoyed
the couple I've read by you, so far... and I'm no where near done
with ya' yet
lol.
Thank you for this write... it's emaculate.
"And remember - it's pain which helps us to grow."
Truer words could not be spoken... "What doesn't kill us, only
makes us stronger" All the pain I've had in my life, thus far...
I should be a GIANT!
lol... maybe that would stop people from
trying to hurt me..and knock me down? Hmm....
Excellent write.. keep on writing 'em
so I can read 'em
~Aimee
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beautiful
deserves every last clap of the applause you receive. i just dedicated my two 'applaud's' of today to one poet - you really have some great talent.
your rhymes make this so obviously important to you, a poem you spent serious thought and time over in order to make sure us readers understood and related. congratultions on a wonderful result of that effort - this is an incredibly soulful and mature piece of work, dedicated to life and society. the poem is resplendent in its beautiful, uplifting and soaring mood, it brings me close to tears. your emotions are wonderfully expressed. metre is well-balanced, pride of any self-respecting poet. your words and imagery are needless of criticism - enough to stun great poets and writers of history. you chose well and wrote well. a masterpiece. -
Unbelievable
Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. You seem to be able to see the beauty in the world, which is a gift I wish I had. This was unbelievably inspiring. You truly have a gift for writing. Every word in this poem was so true. Bravo for writing a truly wonderful poem. I loved every word of it.
~Amanda~ -
Hi again Mark.
That's too bad it had to be shortened, I love that part, but I guess that's the reality of the publishing world, a little give and take, at least you get your message out there, it's really important. I relate a lot to your work...spiritually, philosphically, etc. Although I, too, have not had time to read all your work, not even close to all of it! But I will. I'm forever and continually trying to get online and read a poem here and there and everywhere, in between work, in between Christmas preparations, errands, computer crashes (I had a virus, I just had to do a complete system restore on a computer that I just bought Tuesday night, by Wednesday it had the Lovsan worm, and I've spent the last 2 nights trying to fix it. It's so frustrating!)
But I'll work all that frustration off in Kung Fu, Saturdays are great - phase training, yay!
Kerry -
Hi Kerry,
Yes, that's the one. However, it was shortened A LOT for the book due to space constraints. The book is called Chicken Soup to Inspire the Body and Soul so basically, they just took the part about climbing the mountain out and put it with the final verse. I would have liked the whole poem to be in the book, of course, but all the content didn't fit the theme of the book.
Thanks for the encouragement. I can't wait to get some free time so I can relax and pour through your work. I've loved everything I've read so far.
See you at the temple!
Mark -
EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS!
Hi Mark,
That was just beautiful. I'm going to have to read it again a few times to take it all in. So much positive, my mind just refuses to accept it all at once It has such wonderful rhyming, timing and flow while, all the while keeping focused on your content - you didn't wander
Thanks for this one! And for such a flattering comment on my poem "Pure Potential." All I can say, is the compliment is returned.
By the way, is this the one to be published in Chicken Soup?
See ya soon,
~Kerry -
Just signed on to check messages and this is what I find.
I guess whatever brings you bliss. LoL
Bye bye, I got the flu, so I'm off now.
~*Misty*~ -
Hi, this is so nice. I am in a really low place right now and this is something I really and truly needed to read. I thank you for writing this. It's beautiful. Very touching.
I used to have a place like this, kind of. Only it was just across the street and it was a vacant lot but it stood atop of hill and the drop was about twenty feet. I would go and sit and think for hours. I don't have anything like that right now. I sure could use it too.
Great piece, I don't know if the contest is over or not but if it is not good luck. If it is, did you win? LoL
~*Misty*~
{Formaly known as Destiny~ In case you don't know} -
Grandmaster,
Thank you for telling me that. Coming from one of the people I respect most in this world, I can't tell you how much it means to me.
I read somewhere that we become composites of everyone we have loved and admired in life. I had dabbled in poetry before coming to the dojo twenty years ago but might never have returned to writing if I hadn't been inspired by your "Transcending the Void" and "Seeds From A Hermit." And I still have a cassette tape you made called "Martial Arts - Inner Aspects" with the deep meditation, five chants, philosophy and theory sections. (Remember that one?)
Much of my love of philosophy and poetry is due to your influence so in case I haven't said it yet, a million thank you's, and thanks for the encouragement.
Mark
Edited on Nov 18, 1:29 because ''. -
Hi Janet,
Same here. Ditto that. Copy. Check. Affirmative.
Thanks! lol
Mark -
I've know you for a long time........ and, I really never knew you had such a wonderful talent for writing. You are a very strong, talented writer with a excellent creative flare. You have added a lot of quality to this site...... bringing again the credibility of the site to an even higher level.............
Don -
Mark~
You absolutely amaze me, I am in complete and total awe....this is perfect and if you don't win this contest I'll....I'll....well, I'll think of something! This touches my soul, I absolutely love this. You are so wise and so in touch with life and you express your thoughts and feelings in such a way that most everyone can relate and is moved. You have a true gift, a rare talent. In keeping with the theme of this contest....what am I thankful for? I am most extremely grateful that you wandered into my life and that we have become close friends. Truly it is a wonderful life because you are in it, what a blessing you are to me. Thank you so very much for sharing this masterpiece of a poem, it has now become my favorite of yours. Peace and blessings, hugs, and love you!
~Janet~
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