I used to listen without giving advice,
but then people asked what they should do,
and I found that putting myself in their place,
I could see a way to go, to get them through.
I found their problems similar to mine,
their daily struggles like my troubles too,
and each opinion I conceived for them
in my own case was completely true.
I recommended patience, faith and work,
and loyalty where loyalty was due;
quickly to end what brought them only hurt,
forgive and give a chance to start anew.
And every word I said applied to me,
so you and I could be content and free.
Author notes
Thank you to everyone who brought me problems
and helped me see my way clearer.
In a list
What do you think?
Comments
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Alice in Wonderland said:
I often take my own advice
But I very rarely follow it
Good counsel.
Keep Well.
Best Wishes.
K.
And, by the way, if you are putting yourself in someone else's shoes, don't try walking a mile in them! -
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Thank you Keith. I'll sit in your chair then, because nothing irritates me like sore feet.
A million little cold viruses are not enough to defeat me.
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Ditto
Me too. Very ill last night (food poisoning) and just now venturing online from thinking I would surely die. Thank God just "stinking thinking" and I'm no longer feeling so stinking bad. J/K As you see my humor is somewhat compromised since I'm not back to 100% quite yet. Agree 100% relating to what you said and LOVE the border. Look like blooms on my Rose of Sharon I planted this spring... BEAUTIFUL! Get well wishes attached.
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Thank you for your comment, sweetheart!
I'm sorry you have been ill, and I hope you will be better quickly. 
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Dear Margaret,
This sonnet is worthy of inclusion in the Wyleian corpus. If you are agreeable, it will be CCXVII.
In my position as Chaplain (in my Masonic Lodge), my advice is sought on a variety of problems at various levels. In order to offer a possible solution, one must of course obtain fullest available information and be able to relate oneself completely to the given circumstances. This of course requires great confidence and honesty on the part of the supplicant and, if this is not forthcoming, I tend to be wary of giving my advice.
I notice a departure from pentameter in lines 6 & 7 to tetrameter and wonder if this is for particular effect?
Also, line 11 starts with a 'split infinitive'. (Just my being 'picky'!)
Applause, love and hugs, XXX Hugh.
PS: I'm sorry to tell you that Edna had to go back into hospital early this morning.
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Thank you Hugh. In between sneezes, I will amend my title.
I agree, on rereading last night I found that split infinitive, and you are definitely right about that. This poem started with no set meter, and gradually it is falling into IP. There may be some changes yet.
It doesn't really matter if my listener takes my advice; I am always listening. Advice is like criticism in this way, we all talk primarily to ourselves.
I'm sorry to hear that Edna has had a set-back. Many blessings and good wishes.
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