It, often, comes to what
we define by what
we are not. So seldom
seen, we trust not
who we are.
Meaning minced with rationale,
we create a stew spiced
with rue; become confused with which
is a better way to be had:
our description which makes us
glad or the actual event over
which we have no control.
Life lived -- so quickly disappears:
the babe cum child dissolves to man.
Routine provides prediction, but
dissolves to regret when faced with adaptation.
Lives defined by counting wins and losses.
The game is soon defined as too costly.
The cheers and jeers of friends and foes
feel too much like body blows.
When the rush and worry
comes to an end, the good and bad
weighed out, measure taken for coffin fit --
can they say I loved fully every day?
I touched hearts, left value where my hand
was laid, brought vibrant joy
where sadness had reigned. I want
to hear them say, I am glad I knew him
I loved the life he brought my way.
4:08 PM
04/21/08
Martha Washington Library, VA
Author notes
Prompt: There is a very fine line between loving life and being greedy for it....Maya Angelou
A contest entry
- a very fine line ... by PrabhuDayal Khattar.
300 points, ended April 25, 8 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think, what it makes you feel, how you are moved.
Comments
1 - 24 of 24
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EXCELLENT!
Thanks for touching my heart with this work Tom! No wonder why you deserved the gold in this contest.! I admire you as a poet and a good friend. THanks for sharing!!
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Thanks. This was one of those pieces I wasn't sure of when I wrote it and suprised me by the response. Glad you enjoyed.
Love,
Tom B.
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Very well written. I really like the last stanza. Congratulations on the Gold trophy......Katie
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Life is for the living but we measure our lives by how we have lived. Thanks for the compliment.
Love,
Tom B.
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I am really happy to have this entry in my contest..it is very deep and very intriguing as well..Thanks for sharing it....
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I always worry about creating a vision that allows others access and piques their curiosity. To call my piece intriguing is a wonderful compliement. Thank you for comment as well as the gold trophy.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
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very philosophical
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Been doing a lot of this lately. I might be because of feeling so human.
Love,
Tom B.
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Well WOW!
This just blew me away i read it 4 times!!!
I wanted to hear what was said between each line.
I loved the way you brought this out...very deep but i would expect no less from you!
Remarkable!!!!
I have been in this place of confusion, tears, anger over certain people in my life.
My son said something to while in a moment of total weakness:
His words
Mom, You! Not events have the power to make yourself happy.
between his words and yours i feel a healing taking place.
thanks my most greacous teacher and friend,
for sharing this message with your readers.
Love
~Lisa~
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We all have a story about how it works, whether true or not, that we live out of. So we have our story about life, not life.
When I worked with adolescents that would tell me what they didn't want. I would tell them that no matter how much they told me what they didn't want in a car, I wouldn't know what it was they wanted and they would never know what it was until they could put it into words.
We often become so enchanted by descriptions that we fear the reality. For what we would we do if it did not live up to our already prepared listening. We don't know how to enjoy what is before us for we are too busy looking past it. What do you want life, love in all its glory, sunshine and storm or your story about what it is supposed to be.
I hold that we are not alive until we have experienced our experience without any intermediary between ourselves and the experience. Aliveness is in the moment.
Love,
Tom B.
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I had to think long and hard about whether I loved everyday of my life...I could see the moments that I was angry, sad or tearful and then I began to realise you cannot have those moments unless you have loved. So I guess I do and still do. Am I greedy for it? lol Life yes...love...no for being greedy does not mean you will find it, I think it has to find you first. Love, C
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We are all given a chance to swim in this ocean. It is not always smooth sailing. But without it we would never have the chance to know love and the joy of being present to it all. It is not about me or you so much as it is about us and we are better for allowing it to be all that it can be. I participate as well as I can. We dance our dance for as long as it lasts, I always hope that my tango does not step on my partners feet.
Love,
Tom B.
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oh my!! this struck so close to my home field that i started taring up. this was a beautiful piece from start to finish.
i am glad i know you and the joys you bring. the wisdom you share and all that is good. thanks fr being you.
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No sweeter compliment could I be given. I try to create a world around me that enhances the grace of the life we live.
Love,
Tom B. -
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*blushes* you are so welcome. but it is true. we who have been blessed with your wisdom will surely agree. you are a teacher it seems by far. and Your pieces show the wisdom you bring to us all. thanks again for being you and bringing where you have been to us.
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Well I agree we need to live let go of that stiff collar crap. Because it will rent space in our heads...
A quote by me:
"Sealed within my golden
mirror life; how can I let go?
When I'm hungry for
every heartbeat...." ennovy
so we have to let go and enjoy life with your mates
lovers or spouse...don't let "it come to this"
I sure hope you get the gold.....
novy
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Thanks for all the positve wishes. I sup on life. It is up and down and sometimes stormy but I try to find a way to enjoy every moment. Oft like the ocean, we can drown in it, but I love every lesson it brings to me.
Love, Tom B.
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"I touched hearts, left value where my hand
was laid, brought vibrant joy
where sadness had reigned. I want
to hear them say, I am glad I knew him
I loved the life he brought my way."
If that be all ye requires, Scribe, then ye may rest easy, brilliant among the stars. Good luck in Prab's contest, my Friend. 
Wanda
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Thank you Wanda. While I am totally capable of being confrontive and saying things that need be said, even when they don't want to heard -- I would prefer to be remembered for the way I have brought grace and joy to another's life. I don't know about brilliant but I do try to shine.
Love,
Tom B.
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Will come back to this..
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I look forward to seeing you again.
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p.s. Just so you will know... you did not touch my heart. You caressed it! and filled it with your spirit.
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This is brillant and enlightening. I found great wisdom and much thought within these lines. You never ever cease to amaze me... This poem is bittersweet... and full of the truths of life, even the ones we may not want to think about
Lovely... all you pen is divine! I wish you the best in the contest you have entered. Looks like a winner to me.
love and hugs,
Mel
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I played with the prompt and it became a part of my more deeply spiritual and meditational life then my sensual erotic life, if some sort of separation is truly possible. I have learned that we are fleeting phyisical creatures too much enamored with our thoughts. We forget to live and get lost in the bullshit in our heads.
Love, Tom B.
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