I see pride all around me
though I'm often quite confused
about the variety of reasons
for which the word is used.
Some are proud of country
and some are proud of race.
Others are proud just because
they have an attractive face.
But what do all these things say
about a person's actual worth?
What point is there in being proud
of an accident of birth?
I know this may sound nasty.
Who knows, I may be out of touch
But to be proud of a thing like race,
one must not have accomplished much.
I could say I'm "white" and "American"
but what on earth does that prove?
The only thing that matters
in this life is what I DO.
The only thing that matters
is the kindness that I show
and the work that I contribute
to help myself and others grow.
When I wander through a graveyard
and read inscriptions on the stones,
I see only words of love and praise
written in rich, poetic tones.
There's no mention of nationality
or of looks or wealth or race.
Those things don't seem to mean much
in a hallowed, spiritual place.
Don't get me wrong, I love my country
and that can never be undone
but it makes more sense to measure
who I am by what I've done.
For when my heart stops beating
and my time on earth is through,
the only thing strong enough to last
will be the loving deeds I do.
What is it then, you ask, that makes
my life wealthy and well-spent?
The greatest joy I know are poems
which, into this world, I've sent.
To know that some small words I wrote
have eased a troubled, aching heart.
There is no greater feeling.
There is no greater art.
And maybe someday, years from now,
in some far-off place and time,
some traveler will find my grave
and brush away the leaves and grime.
He'll kneel down in the grass,
lay his hand on the cold stone
and say, "I came here to thank you.
You made me feel much less alone."
I suppose that's why I struggle
to find the right words to say -
to be like the poets who guided me
when I had lost my way.
So I'll keep on writing poetry
until my life is through at last,
and I'm honored that they'll be read
centuries after I have passed.
And if you ask me what I'm proud of,
I won't hesitate. I know it.
I'll say it loud and clear, my friend . . .
"I'm a writer. I'm a poet."
Author notes
Written March 3rd, 2004
In a list
A contest entry
- Callin all poets!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by avendesora.
300 points, ended July 24, 2004, 44 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
-
You have a great ending with real punch, showing pride in what you do. The poem has a moralistic message which is totaly relatable. It has a conversation tone in the language used to get the meanings across. Well done...alby
-
Genius
well i see why you won gold... you are an inspiration -
Insightful
It is indeed a deep spiritual insight you have.. to identify oneself by face and location is.. shallow.. but to look deeper and see who you really are, to say.. well why would it matter if I looked like Brad Pitt or if I was born in a rich family.. it is what I do with the time I have in this world that matters.. well you know.. I would say you got it absolutely spot on and right, no it doesn't matter if a person is not the best looker in this world... it does matter how they enrich the lives of those around them and make the world a better place. This is a true treasure of a poem. Well done Mark. -
"Horror face"?? Now, now, that's not very nice . . . but funny! lol To heck with people who don't get it. Aside from all the deep, angst-ridden reasons for needing to write, it's just plain fun, too. Isn't that good enough? That's one of the curses of the modern age - thinking if you don't get paid for it, it's not worth doing. Whatever happened to the old saying, "Virtue is it's own reward"??
Mark xo -
oh you have said it all in a piece...there is freaking mam who asked me "I dont know where these poems are gona take you"
silly old ugly weird witch didnt know that atleast i would be remembered by my children and grand children through my poems
and she!!!??????uhmm might be because of her horror face
Ankita xo -
Thanks, Susan. This is an old one. The contest it is in was back in April of 2004. I just thought I'd pull it up into the light again. lol Thanks!
Hugs back,
Mark
-
excellent~
This is wonderful
You create a masterpiece every time you pen a poem this one is no different sweetie......
Just amazing this poem is and best of luck in the contest its a winner in my book
I posted a new one too hope to see you drop by
Hugs
Susan~~~
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haha wow... nice work!!! amazing...very good... i loved the simplicity of the title but the depth 'inside'... quite long though... im not very fond of long poems... but what the hell!! i loved it..all worth it..keep it up n hope u did well in the contest
-
This is one of the better long poems I've read on this site. Reading this I kept thinking it was finished as you closed one idea only to scroll down and see another verse. Each time I would say to myself, "a shame. this is good, but it's going on too long" UNTIL I read the next group of stanzas when I said to myself, "Wow! I'm glad that was included." This occurred numerous times throughout the poem. Not only is it a credit to your craftsmanship to hold the reader's attention for longer than most poets, but it gave the poem a feel of passionate delivery and spontanaety. (You know how when someone delivers an inspiration orally they often stop and start, giving pieces of their speech in bursts, attacking the subject from different angles each time? Like that.) Anyway, this is a wonderful entry. I happen to understand the being-proud-of-race thing, but you make your point well and not disagreeably. Well-written! Good luck in the contest!
Sheryl -
wow i LOVE THIS POEM...beutifull writing...thnak you for sharing...and all the other thing that people alredy said are true
-
oh wow! this is pure brilliance! i love this to sweet juicy wonderful death. this is so brilliant. you are one of the poets who have guided me along a little, and i thank you for that. Mark, this is absloutly wonderful, i mean. WOW. i swear my jaw is on the ground right now. I love this, as i said, to sweet juicy wonderful death. great job, Poet.
I love this, great job Poet and Friend
By the way, glad to see you are still ok and not harmed by the hurricane Katrina thingy. phew, I have been so worried about a lot of people I know from this site who live in america. glad to see you are ok.
Love this.
-
Beautiful write! I don't really know what to say to this one that has not already been done so I will simply say good job and take my leave. Thank you for sharing!
-Dan -
fantabulous!
Wow. This piece is one to be aspired to. It is so masterfully written. The words are so well chosen and your voice is so strong and filled with spirit and conviction. *is in awe* Just really fantastic work. -
You are indeed a poet and with each poem that drips from your pen you create the most beautiful masterpieces. They say that when you have a collaboration of a brilliant mind, heart, and talent connected together, you can expect a masterpiece and that is what I see here and in so many of your fine works. This is so full of truth and honesty that for some, it may be painful because they will see bits and pieces of themselves. but I have never known you to be afraid of speaking the truth and I guess when it's all said and done... that is what I associate most with your name. Great job hun.
(`'•.¸(`'•.¸ ¤ ¸.•'´)¸.•'´)
~~~Touchof1der~~~
(, .•'(¸.•'´ ¤ `'•.¸)`'•.¸)
-
This is easy to read and certainly pleasant. I really like the message of how important what we do is especially as opposed to what we are. The writing is somewhat simplistic which is not a criticism. Personally I would feel somehow ill at ease in proclaiming myself as a poet, but maybe I should be envious of this. good one.
-
Inspirational!
And yes you speak the truth,we are not remembered for looks,money or race.Kindness, a helping hand,warm smile these are all the sum of the things we do.And as we reach out to others through the written word maybe some suffering soul will have his burden eased.Inspitaional an so very true. -
What a marvellous poem!Truly poignant and moving.It sounded so amazing and I absolutely loved the rhythm and the flow.As for the content,it was so wonderful! You ARE a true poet at heart...and this poem was a masterpiece! Really can't say anything much now because I'm so amazed by this write..
Keep writing,poet
-
Well poet you have written an introspective piece. Writing words that are timeless is a beautiful gift, that you possess. This is crafted quite well to tell of your interest in being a great poet for the world to treasure, as you, yourself treasure & share the talent with which you've been very blessed.
I'm not all that good at the ryhming poetry, but I've tried. I've thouroughly enjoyed this. I admire that poetic quality of the sing song of rhyme. Its very beautiful with the way this tends to weave and wind the tale you have to share from your heart the gift of a poet.
I'm reminded reading this of a line from a song...something about not being able to take things with you when you go...that they don't make hearst with a luggage rack. The flip side of this is that you can leave something of you for the world.
-
this poem was amazing, the rhyming was great though the ending was a bit rough i still loved it, very memorable poem and alot of good points
-
I love the message of kindness in this write Rick... I think kindness needs to be shared more often and indeed it is something to be proud of. Race really does mean nothing in the end...wonderful writ, good luck with the contest.
Red -
Eye of Insight
Heh, very moving. It does make one appreciate the art of being able to write. I think my only problem with this poem is that you seemed to feel the need to justify yourself, "Don't get me wrong, I love my country and that will never change..." Heh, it's not a problem, it's just something I'm noticing. In today's world it's very hard to make an absolute statement like you were trying to do, without offending someone. I s'ppose it's always been like that...it's rather sad. -
This is so easy to read and flows so well, that it would seem you spent many hours getting the rhyme and meter nearly perfect. Something I wish I had written - very inspiring!
-
FInest
a tremendous write up a fascinating journey into your thoughts and aye! I am proud to read your poem..so also the way you are proud to be a poet..carry on writing..it puts a smile to the one reading--Shubs -
Often I'm confused myself at what the people around me claim to be proud of when there's no reason for them to feel so when they didn't really earn anything, when they were born with it. And it's very true that when we expire and leave this earth it's not what we looked like, our career, or where we were born. It's how we affected the people and world around us and how those effects continue on into the future. Great write.
-
I think we all as poets hope that one day our poems will touch hearts and ease pain, and let the world know that we are here and want to help. very good write.
-
WOW! This is a masterpiece if I have ever read one. Yes, if we as poets can help ease another's heartache or bring somebody joy than we have done a great thing. This is the only piece I have ever read by you but I tell you now that I will be back to read many more.
Your words flowed so perfectly and seemed to come with ease in this write. You seem to be one with a beautiful soul and a big heart for people and there's no better way to be than that.
Be Well and Be Blessed. Pen On Fellow Poet
-
"Don't get me wrong, I love my country
and that can never be undone
but it makes more sense to measure
who I am by what I've done.
For when my heart stops beating
and my time on earth is through,
the only thing strong enough to last
will be the loving deeds I do."
This is so beautiful! I could not believe how amazing this really sounded- especially the rythem of these few lines, they really caught me by suprise-
a beautiful, poetic work. The ending was nice, also -
Paydirt!!!
Regards, John -
'...I suppose that's why I struggle
to find the right words to say -
to be like the poets who guided me
when I had lost my way.
So I'll keep on writing poetry
until my life is through at last,
and I'm honored that they'll be read
centuries after I have passed.
And if you ask me what I'm proud of,
I won't hesitate. I know it.
I'll say it loud and clear, my friend . . .
"I'm a writer. I'm a poet."'
God Bless You for this one, my happily wanderin' Friend...I adore it, Mark...such Truth & Beauty within this piece...If this isn't golden, I don't know what is, Scribe...Yes, more than a 'mere Poet'...you are one of the truest voices of my own generation, my Friend...This is glorious, Mark...You know I love pieces about the Art & Craft of being a writer...you've mastered it with this piece...Bravo!!! Encore!!! Sustained Standing Ovation!!! Homage... 
♥ Wanda
-
well I must say Rick....your doing a mighty fine job of making your words re iterate the life in them wonderfully...this is an old poem that keeps coming back...lol.....great thing though....to revive a lost writing and put it in front of the living...lets just hope in the end...
Long after the days you had jotted
all your words down for the history of poetry....
will never be forgotten.....
long live the might of a poets pen....
though the ink become dry....
the parchment become brittle...
but the words remain fluid in the minds eye of all the living souls present...
Malabu
-
Very nice sentiment and very nice work. -Al
-
Thumbs up!
Hey now, you have proved your point again, this is a place I need to be in. Thanks for more encouragement for me to be a part of this wonderful thing of Allpoetry. I am beginning to see the beam of life pressing through the reason of writing.
Edited on Jun 03, 4:16 p.m. because 'hun'. -
WONDERFUL
yipee
mark this is from heart hun
this one had rhyming which impresssed me
and yeah
yet again simple words.....still has loads of content to say
its peefectly true that nothing is remembered except the things we do!
good thought
I see most of your poems are in first place
narrative lilbit
thisis what makes them special
keep penning
-
Don't worry. I won't hold it against you if you don't buy my vitamins. haha Poets have to do something on the side, right? lol Glad you enjoyed this one. It's one of my personal favorites because I hear it inspires other poets to keep writing. That's the biggest kind of reward.
Mark -
Perfection
Oh this is absolutely beautiful, when I thought of my poem, I was in stitches here all by myself! Now THIS is poetry!!! Some of the MOST beautifully perfect poetry I have read out here! I am reviewing a true poet in every sense of the word! Almost makes me want to buy your vitamins! hahhaha, not that I don't need them! You are the type of poet I only wish to be! Awesome work! I will be back! You are bookmarked
Edited on May 15, 2:46 because 'typo'. -
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful comments.
I posted this one a long time ago so I had to go back and reread Tony's comments. He's a cool guy. As you know, we just disagreed on the pride issue, mainly because he's very influenced by the Bible and I'm not. The funny thing is I agree with him somewhat. I think it's important to maintain humility because there is always so much more to learn. But if we do well, I don't think there's anything wrong with giving ourselves a pat on the back, either. After all, confidence comes from trying and succeeding repeatedly. It also comes from overcoming obstacles and accomplishing something that is meaningful to us. When we are rewarded for our efforts, pride naturally follows. We can be proud AND maintain a humble heart, or as Kipling wrote, we can "walk with kings yet not lose the common touch."
Quick story -
Benjamin Franklin used to meet once a week with an equally brilliant friend. They would sit and talk for hours, impressing each other to no end, but they would always go outside and stand under the night sky when they were finished to meditate on the universe. Eventually, one of them would ask, "Do you feel small enough yet?" They were proud of themselves and what they had accomplished, but they always ended by reminding themselves of how small they were and how little they really knew. I think that's one of the keys to life.
I agree completely with your feelings about writing. It's a mysterious thing. I get so immersed in writing, I don't think of anything else. My mind is usually 20 places at once so that's a blessing for me. lol So there is great happiness in writing, then the added happiness of sharing it with others. No downside!
Re. your question about the title, I usually pluck the title from the poem after it's written. When the poem is finished, the title is usually clear to me.
Thanks again for your wonderful comments. I appreciate it.
Mark -
beautiful
I scrolled down reading through the comments. And one stood out that seemed to bother me. "Tony". Might I just say quite plainly. There is a vast difference between gloating/arrogance and pride. The sense of pride with which you speak of isn't a false pride.It is the pride that comes from knowing you made a difference. No matter how great or how small. And if through our poetry we are able to take some one away from the world in which they live and transport them into ours. What harm have we caused. For me the biggest thrill comes from being able to have the reader see what I see, feel what I feel, to get the essence or the slightest inflection that my poem is intended. I brought the reader into my world for one brief moment, they thought of nothing else. And you my friend, have the capacity to do that. You have given me a mini vacation, so that as I drove to work, the sky was a little bluer, the sun a little brighter. I am always amazed when I read the works of someone such as yourself. The range of talent that you possess. It makes me realize that while I have far to go as a writer, I am at the same time encouraged by it. The title of this piece is what attracted me. I have a question though, did you work the poetry from the title, or vice versa. Eloquently written with a flow that when spoken out loud empowers the words and gives life to them. God gave each of us a gift. These gifts were not meant to keep secret but share with the world. ~Michelle~ -
omg!!!!! this has te be one of the most awesome poems i have ever seen. i love it i love it i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i dunno what else to say. my favorite part though was when you saidTo know that some small words I wrote
have eased a troubled, aching heart.
There is no greater feeling.
There is no greater art.
And maybe someday, years from now,
in some far-off place and time,
some traveler will find my grave
and brush away the leaves and grime.
He'll kneel down in the grass,
lay his hand on the cold stone
and say, "I just came here to thank you.
You made me feel much less alone."
that is the effect that you have had on me and the effect that i hope to have on others. please keep on writting such beautiful poetry. -
refreshing
simple a nice reminder that in the end when all is said and done what is written on the grave-site marker determines the strenght of your heart and all the healing seeds you left along your visit here on earth today...
-
This is unbelievable. It flowed so well and delivered an awesome message. I have read a few of your pieces already and I really like your style of writing (it talks to me) I will be going back and commenting on them as well, when time allows. I am greatful that you took the time to comment on my poem because it helped me discover your work. Talented!! Awesome writer. Thank you for sharing.
Take Care
Beth -
This is absolutely wonderful! It's good that you don't care about peoples looks, and you do care about their accomplishments. You made it rhyme so well, too, and it flows beautifully. I look forward to reading more of your work
~Pandababy
-
This wonderful! I agree...D&C 18:10 "The worth of souls is great in the sight of God." hehe!!! Great job!! I love this!! Byes! Always, Sam
-
Yes you are and a very good one at that- congrats!
David -
Very well written, Mark. You give us a good reason to keep on writing poetry. I especially enjoyed the the brilliant lines "but it makes more sense to measure who I am by what I've done." A weighty and profound statement.
Best wishes,
Moses
-
I Feel The Same Way About It!
What a large Heart you hold, Mark!!! I have always felt this way...why be proud of genetics or luck of the draw? Be proud of something you did, you said, you made, you wrote, you painted!!! As the saying goes, 'Life is God's gift to you; what you make of it is your gift to God'...what a guy! It is an honor to share this space with you, my Friend...swan
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This is such a wonderful piece of work....I am very impressed. I am so glad that I got to read it. Cheryl
-
what can I say when you have covered everything just so perfectly and honestly here I embrace the fact that reading just a lovely comment bought me here to read this today
words ever so softly spoken amem
-
This is an excellent write! There is little i could say about it besides...you spoke to an undeniable truth. In the end, you cannot take anything with you...and what you leave in the hearts and minds of others is what will remain.
Really liked this.
UB
-
Hi Gregg,
Thanks very much. I guess I was most influenced by the Romantic period, as much of my poetry tends to rhyme and tell a story. I've been snubbed in many a contest around here because my work is just way too long. haha But if it was okay with Byron, it's okay with me.
I appreciate the kind words. I took a look at your author's page and homepage and would like to say congratulations for all you've made it through. You obviously have let none of it defeat you. You're a great example of man's indomitable spirit and, I'm certain, an inspiration to all who know you. I'm heading out the door right now but I look forward to sitting down with your work soon.
Thanks again,
Mark -
I hope to see this in a textrbook of modern poetry to show kids today that poetry after all these centuries is loud and strong...thanks for the contribution of this poem and a refreshed beleive that poetry is not dead yet as long as poets come up with works like this
-
what can i say to you mark that i haven't said before...it feels so repeticious but truly the way you have of putting thought into poetry amazes me...it's always so real and so tangible...this in my eyes is another masterpiece...so well written and the emotion and feeling made as clear as crystal...bravo!!..hugs...leanne xxx
-
Out of touch??? No, I believe that you are right on the mark with this poem...sharing a belief I've had for so long. I've never quite understood why people have so much pride in things that are the easiest to come by...and lay far too less value on kindness...morality. You said it well and you said it true. You get my applause! I can see that I'm joining the ranks of many in giving those.
Thanks for sharing! Naena
-
a must-read for poets
my first reaction after completing this brilliant piece was to swallow and take a deep breath. it inspired me, to realise what a power writing can be - you've expressed this in such feeling, such meaning - a highly philosphical and message-pregnant piece, that is easy to understand and relate to.
you've embraced the themes here and are obviously perfectly at peace with who you are and what you do... it's such a perfect embodiment of what poets try so hard to be. it's personal, it's symbolic...it's a like a race condensed into one. thanks for expressing what i could not.
the flow is heroically sustained...attention-gripping, with rhymes simple but clever. you write with such talented ease i just find myself shaking my head in awe when i finish reading a piece of yours - the rhymes seem to come to you right out of nowhere. you're a poet that never seems to run out of inspiration...inspiring others as you go along.
i think i can't get enough out of the mood you've created here. it's spellbinding. it makes us poets proud to be poets...(i think i'm babbling here, i'm really floored) congratulations on a star-studded poem! another bookmark to add to my list. -
God i absolutley loved it!!!!
-
Hi Leenie,
Thanks for commenting. I just had to respond to your comment - "I used to have nightmares of my funeral in which no one would come other than my family because I had no influence on the lives of others. That is my greatest fear."
That's a terrible fear but you're very fortunate that it is one which is easily remedied. All you have to do is love people, which I'm sure you already do, and stay involved in the world. The only people who die alone and unloved are people who have decided, consciously or not, to shut themselves away in a dark room somewhere. The wide world is dancing right outside but they spend their lives "knee deep in the river and drowning of thirst." I've done it myself a few times after losses I was afraid of repeating. But in the words of Frank Sinatra, I always eventually "brushed myself off and got back in the race." The world is open to all of us, at any age. All we need to do is venture out. (Smiling a lot helps, too.)
Not preaching, just sharing.
Peace,
Mark
"One who walks a road with love will never walk that road alone again." - Charles Thomas Davis
Edited on Mar 08, 3:24 because 'i edit everything!'. -
You are amazing! I can't believe I hadn't read this until now! I kept thinking I'd read it..and boy, was I wrong. Poetically this flowed perfectly - impeccable rhyming through-out. You had amazing ideas, and your view point of life is just..well I think it's right on. I think you've got your head on straight, and you understand things to an insightful depth I can only admire. You are the poet I look up to, as you have looked up to others before you. You've never let me down - and this piece only adds to your magnificent collection. Someday within my soul will lie a piece of your poetry and it will help me develop in so many ways. You're simply amazing my dear. I'll appluad, but make sure you know mine is the loudest - and lasts the longest
(Oh, you don't know what to do with 3000+ points? Sheesh! shoot some my way to your unadopted daughter lol, jk)
Mmmm...love affair... -
Hi Rixi,
Yeah, I knew as soon as I wrote that last verse that somebody would say, "You're a poet and you didn't even know it!" haha I guess I was kind of playing off that old line, too.
Nice to meet a cockney lass, and someone other than me who uses the word "shite." My parents are from Ireland so that was always a favorite around our house. haha
Thanks for stopping by!
Mark -
Very good!So true!
Gee!You really are a poet!I really enjoyed this alot.It's true that the art or poetry we leave behind will live on.It really tells who we are.I read on your author page about people expecting poets to be miserable.I don't beleive that.I just think that the ones who are sad,depressed or miserable have a way to express it,and so you naturally hear about it more often.I and many others,have had a lot of sadness,but I have puposed to concentrate rather on the positive and on the healing and destiny that God has for me.I will never give anyone the satisfaction of making me hate them.That only effects the one doing the hating.I think we can all choose happiness-no matter what pain we've suffered.I really liked your poetry.I do look forward to reading more! -
Mark, you have a style about you that I've always admired... and I do today.
-
That's okay. You're always welcome in my house.
Mark -
I keep on coming here...
-
Hey Tony,
Thanks for the elaboration. You make a lot of interesting points.
I guess I called pride a complex issue because there are so many opinions on it just in this contest. I personally consider it a simple thing, too. If a person has done good things in the world that have helped many other people, s/he has the right to be proud. Not arrogant, just "very happy with oneself" - which is really how I would define pride.
I guess our difference lies in the fact that I'm not "religious" and feel that western religion has a tendency to belittle mankind by calling us all hopeless sinners, not allowing us to be proud, humbling ourselves before God, etc. To me, pride and dignity go hand in hand. Life on earth is hard enough without begrudging ourselves of internal rewards for living a righteous life.
Regarding the Christmas story, etc., I wasn't saying people "should" do good deeds strictly for themselves, only that I don't care if they do. As long as the good gets done and people are helped, I don't care if the person is an atheist. It's a good point you make about the Nazi's thinking they were doing good, but I was obviously referring to giving to charities, helping old ladies cross the street, that kind of thing. lol
As far as the Bible, I hate to say this but I don't completely trust it. It has passed through too many power-hungry hands over the centuries and many believe it was edited numerous times, most notably by the Council of Nicea in 532 A.D. I wonder how much of it was reworded by church leaders to gain control of the masses, leaving us with a strict, humor-less version of Jesus and an unforgiving God who needs to threaten his children with eternal damnation in order to make them behave. If a mortal father wrote ten rules on a piece of paper, posted it on the refrigerator and said to his kids, "If you don't do all these things, I'm going to torture you for the rest of your life" (eternity for a child) - he would be thrown in jail and no one would consider him to be a wise parent, yet we accept it as healthy coming from God because the Bible says we should, a book written by men in a brutal, superstitious time. Threats of hell just seem beneath an omnipotent and loving God.
I really didn't want to get into religion but I couldn't make the points I wanted to make without doing so. I believe in Jesus and God but I have trouble with anything people have a hand in. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that people will do just about anything for money and power. In a time when poverty was much more difficult than it is now, and usually meant the difference between life and death, the need for power was even stronger.
At great risk of becoming a crashing bore, let me tell you a quick story -
A friend of mine once told me that she read one of my poems (Just Live) to her father on his deathbed. He had always been a remote and private man but something in that poem caused an avalanche of emotion in him. (It describes four stages of a man's life, the last being him lying on his deathbed and talking to his children and grandchildren, so it was pretty much identical to his situation.) After they cried and held each other, they talked for hours and she bonded with him in ways she was never able to in thirty years of living with him. I don't take full credit, of course, because the man was faced with his own mortality, but something in my little poem helped break down his defenses enough for my friend to be closer to him than she ever had before. She lost him forever the next day. I'm proud that I could help make that happen for her. If it's a sin, so be it.
I know my doubts about religion might anger a lot of people, and I hope I didn't offend you. I know I'm an opinionated bugger. If it's any excuse, I'm from California. I'm supposed to be a nut. lol
Thanks again. Have a nice Sunday.
Mark
Edited on Mar 07, 5:32 because ''. -
Hi Mina,
You are so right about acts of kindness. One kind act or word can stand out in a person's memory forever. For instance, when I was about 9 years old, it was the last day of school and my teacher gave the class a little speech before dismissing us for the summer holiday. She asked if I would stay after class. I thought I was in trouble for something, of course. The class left and she asked me to take a walk with her. She told me that she thought I had a very kind and sensitive nature and that I was her favorite student. I was shocked but beaming with pride inside. Her name was Mrs. Neil. I don't remember many of my teacher's names, but I remember hers, because she took the time to be kind to me. She was about 70 then so she's probably passed on by now, and here I am writing about her, and so she lives on.
The story about your sister is perfect. People think they're unhappy from a lack of love, but they're really unhappy from a lack of loving, and giving.
My fear with all this positive talk is that I'll come off as trying to sound like Mr. Wonderful. The fact is I grapple with cynicism and contempt for mankind constantly. Sometimes I'm like the monk in the cave who loved humanity (as a concept) but didn't deal with people very well. haha It's hard not to be dismayed in this world because everybody is not living their lives the way I think they should, and I feel like turning my back on humanity and looking out for "Number One." Then I hold out my hand to help someone and feel their hand in mine - that connection that tells me we're all pilgrims on the same road, and we should help each other - and I'm reminded about what matters. Being selfish is easy but the easy way is never the wise one.
Thanks for "getting it."
Mark -
¦:¬{
Dear Mark,
It was a name my boss gave me because of how hard it seemed for others to get away with things around me or take advantage of me. (LOL) But hey Mark, you never can tell, it could have just meant I was great at being humble...hummm...(LOL)
About pride being complex:
Pride is not complex, it is simple, one should not be proud, one should be at wonderment of the world around him but not caught up in it, not being proud does not stop one from being a person of action, it lightens the load by releasing the burden of the measure of the world from upon those doing the work. I am not saying I am an innocent man, but I am not ignorant of the truth either.
About your Christmas story:
Wrong, one should not do good things strictly for themselves (their pride) for they are deceiving themselves, for how are they to truly judge what is good if it is solely based on their own self worth (deception); perhaps those who gave to the Nazi Party back in Hitler's Day thought they were doing themselves and other Germans good by helping to build a greater Germany, but if they had had their pride taken away from themselves by force, and then been forced to look upon others as equals with humility, then had to gaze at the effect that their support had had, they would have been forced to see the evil they professed, though they thought it had been good.
About definitions of pride:
There is only one kind of pride. It is my understanding that "pride," is mentioned 46 times in the King James Bible, "proud" is mentioned 47 times, "haughty" is mentioned 10 times; and that a meticulous study of each time these words appear will lead to only one conclusion: They are never spoken of positively, only as sin and evil; Never is it suggested or implied that pride in any form is a virtue.
Sincerely, Tony El uhm uhm el Humble
Edited on Mar 07, 4:19 because ''. -
was just gonna come here and leave a comment "and you didn't know it" me being the slightly sarcastic wee chicky that i am, but i did read your poem, and you've made a lot of good points in it. I have racial pride i guess in a way, cockney gal living in the highlands is bound to promote their country a tad when everyone is putting it down just to piss other people off. works a real treat lol. but true enough, people shouldn't be proud of things that they didn't contribute to, it's taking the credit for other people's struggles and achievements and thats just shite. i get proud of myself when i've done something i think is an achievement or worthwhile. i think, pride and cockiness have a close tie or summit. you can think you've done something good, and people tell you so so you get proud but the more people inflate your ego the cockier you get i guess. i'm rambling sorry, excellent poem about what pride should be
~rix~
Edited on Mar 07, 3:53 because 'this long a comment is bound to have a typo or two... maybe five...'. -
~Only one that can give of ones self can truly see the
gift of giving~
I remember giving a quarter many years ago to a little girl
that was crying... we were both 7 years old
She looked at me like i had three heads LOL
Her friend tho that was with her that day became my life time friend Only good can come out of giving
How could anything bad come out of it?
What a wonderful message this poem sends
This world will never become a better place if we dont truly
give of ourself
I so can relate to the Salvation Army story
My purse was so heavy with change at Christmas time this year
So i stopped at a Salvation Army kettle outside of the mall
and emptied a good chunk of it into the pot It lighten my load that day and at the same time helped someone less fortunate then myself.. i felt
My sister was with me and said, im glad you want to give your money away.. because im not! Well, if your could of seen her
face how rotten and miserable she looked.. when she said that!
My point was proven LOL I'm sure those people don't stand out in below zero weather for not a good cause.. Think i was PROUD that day because i wasn't her
Anyway, i think there are different meanings for the word proud
or pride and if you can help another person along the way i would say that is the most important kind
You should be very proud of the message you sent here today!
You are a Beautiful poet and a Wonderful inspiration
to all of us
May we all follow in your footsteps~~
Much Love ~ Mina
-
Peacelink,
Thank you for your beautiful comments. (You chose the perfect name for yourself!
A philosopher named Bertrand Russell said. "Religion is the dragon at the gate of prosperity in the world." I don't think so. I think it's racism. Greed is a biggy, too. But as I wrote in my poem Journey to God -
Oh, if only they knew, Jack! If only they knew!
What a wonderful world they might win
if they could only see past their differences
to the spirit that dwells within."
Thanks again for the encouragement. I appreciate it very much.
Mark -
Hi brokencrayon,
I appreciate how you feel. I had a feeling I was going to upset people a little with this one, particularly the line, "To be proud of a thing like race, one must not have accomplished much." lol
The reason for that line, I think, is this -
I had a brother who had a lot of problems - mainly drugs and all the things that go with it - and he had a lot of friends who were the same way. They never accomplished anything, couldn't hold down a job, were in and out of jail, constantly stoned, always finding conflict with people and then blaming it on them, wondering why the cops wouldn't leave them alone, etc., etc., and they were all going on constantly about the inferiority of other races. It always made me sick. No matter what they said, I heard, "Well, I haven't done a damn thing with my life, but at least I'm white!"
Living in L.A., I know a lot of Hispanic people who are decent, God-loving, hard-working people. Living in their insulated world, all they knew about were criminals they saw on the news and judged the entire race by them. So when they would put down Hispanics, I would usually say, "Most of them speak at least two languages and hold town at least two jobs. How many languages do you speak? How many jobs do you have?"
People of every race do this. I guess what I'm saying is there is a fine line between "racial pride" and bigotry.
My parents are from Ireland and I grew up around a lot of Irish people. When I go back to Ireland, I experience something called "recognizing one's tribe" but I never really feel like I'm a part of them. I guess I'm an outsider/observer by nature. There's always a sense of comfort being around people who are like ourselves and have the same frame of reference, language, heritage, etc., but I have never understood pride in these things. I can only feel pride in the things I have achieved on my own. I'm "grateful" that I live in America, but proud? I don't know.
Have you ever heard someone say "nice car!" to someone. Usually, that person says, "Thanks!" as if they built the car themselves. All they did was buy it. It's kind of the same thing. All I did to be an American was be born here. I didn't build it. If I founded it, wrote the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, fought the British, and tamed the frontier all by myself, THEN I'd be proud. haha
As far as gender, I can't say I'm too proud of that, either, because men are responsible for almost all of the violence in the world and always have been.
I guess I'm pretty messed up, huh? lol
Thanks for balancing your criticisms with kindness. i.e., not getting mad at me and ripping me a new one. lol
Mark -
Um... what can I say but WOW! I loved the flow of it and it truly kept me reading. Kept me wanting to know more. Not many have the talent to do so especially in longer poems. Thanks for the comment on my poem as well and Good luck to yoU! though you won't be needing it if you know what I mean! GREAT JOB!
-
Amen to that....wow you should go on a campain and speak for politicians...you have a strong vioce!! i think speech is something you excel in greatly...nicely done...
I don't know what i could say my favorite part is...it's all pretty good, to be honest, i love it!!!
Great job!!! Thanks for sharing your opion and views and this write...
Keep up the great work!!!
Take care
And
God bless!!!
-Stacy-
p.s
you know it's good -
Nice poetry skills......i will use you as my inspiration. you should take a look at mine and tell me how i should improve. well anyway nice job, this was great....
Take care and good luck for the future
~CoRy~ -
well one o the reaons I am commenting is t get the points but then i actually read the poem and it was really good!you seem to know how the words flow and where they go.very good!
-
Hi Tony,
Thanks for your comment on my poem. I have a few questions and I hope I won't come off as disrespectful, because that's not my intention.
If pride is sinful, why is your nickname "Tony the Great"? haha (Again, no offense. I just thought that was kind of a funny contradiction.)
I can understand your point. Pride is a complex issue. I
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