Home » Poems » Duke Beaufort » lesson for life

Notes About The Poem

lesson for life

What doesn't reflect happy styles?
When people rely on their wiles
With hearts in our work
We won't have to smirk
But wear an abundance of smiles

introspectionlifelimerick

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 7/22/2025 1:04:00 PM

I’m not apposed to a woman’s wiles provided they are pointed in my direction.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/28/2025 8:29:00 AM

Richard…spoken at a true gentleman.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 7/19/2025 11:31:00 AM

- A little late... but, better late than never as they say... congratulations on your p.o.t.d., Duke :) - hugs

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/21/2025 1:25:00 PM

Hi Anne-Lise. No one can ever be late to a smile party. It’s always a pleasure hearing from you!!!

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 7/19/2025 8:20:00 AM

Congratulations on your POTD win. What a creative/fun write and picture. I love to give out smiles. "Smile" I have been off the computer for a few days. Have a blessed day with your wonderful win...................

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/21/2025 11:50:00 AM

Thanks Paula, it does make life so much more pleasant to have a positive attitude. A smiling face is a good thing, but an internal smile is something incredible. Hope you have both!!!

Deb M

Date: 7/18/2025 11:40:00 PM

Two mighty fine poets getting together can only result in a positive….. as your poem clearly shows.Congratulations to you both Beau and Lin on POTD!….Debx

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/19/2025 7:25:00 AM

Deb, very kind you are. It's a lot of fun to work with some very talented people here. Smiles!!

Janice Canerdy

Date: 7/18/2025 2:55:00 PM

Duke, your well-written limerick conveys a strong theme! I taught school for many years. I REALLY put my heart into it. I smiled much more than I frowned! Janice

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/19/2025 7:21:00 AM

Janice, that's a sure sign of a good teacher! In all that we do if we can make it fun, it seems to indicate that our heart is going in the right direction. Smiles!!

Beej Simrov

Date: 7/17/2025 10:48:00 PM

This is really cute, and I like that the central theme is to not be banal or wile...those are good words to know. Congrats on the POTD and the collab, lovely to see :)

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/19/2025 7:15:00 AM

Beej, you're very kind. Funny how being here does give us the opportunity to grow our vocabulary. I've also noticed that. You're absolutely right that we need to be kind to each other. take care and smiles!!

David Kavanagh

Date: 7/17/2025 2:53:00 PM

Congratulations Duke and Lin on a most thoughtful and pragmatic POTD, one has to be able to smile if they want to survive on the soup, but its also quite fun giving as good as you get, cheers David

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 4:25:00 PM

Thanks David. It's a difficult lesson for some, but we welcome everyone and cast our vote for civility, honesty, and smiles!!! Take care, sir!!!

Brandy Nicole

Date: 7/17/2025 11:27:00 AM

Time and wisdom teach us many things about ourselves and others. Some need a little more encouragement, and that's okay. We're all different. Uplifting words and understanding help when sharing poetry with those around us. Congratulations Duke and Lin, on Poem of the Day. :) Brandy

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 12:24:00 PM

Brandy, ahh you have wisdom!!! What you're saying is right on target. We appreciate it and realize that we can lead people to our philosophy, but they have to decide to take it in our not. We can't force-feed anyone here nor do we desire to. Smiles!!!

Jim Slaughter

Date: 7/17/2025 10:07:00 AM

And a very good collaboration it is, indeed. Congrats on POTD, as well, Duke...et al.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 10:23:00 AM

Thanks Jim, your comment is much appreciated. A little tenderness and willingness to understand others can go a long way to help us all get along. Smiles, of course!!!

Lin Lane

Date: 7/17/2025 9:18:00 AM

Duke, I am overjoyed to see our Limericks chosen as POTD. I didn't post separately so all credit would go to you. The smiles you always offer in your comments are now being returned. Thank you, everyone for being so supportive!

Lin Lane
Date: 7/18/2025 9:26:00 AM

I've asked you to remove my limericks. It's all yours, Duke. I know my own lane and I'm proud to own it. Others should take note of boundaries, but that must be foreign territory.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 9:26:00 AM

Lin, you are a selfless and kind contributor to the site, and we're all very fortunate to have you here! Smiles and tenderness shall prevail (at least here)!!!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 7/17/2025 7:07:00 AM

Good advice, all of it. Nice job. Congrats on the collaborative POTD, gw

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 8:03:00 AM

Thanks Gershon. Lin should get all the credit as she has great sensibility and passion. We can all disagree, but what matters is the way we treat each other even if we have different ideas. I hope you are well and sending you smiles!!

Bill Baker

Date: 7/17/2025 6:48:00 AM

A well-written collaboration, well deserving of the POTD honor for you two. Congratulations for sharing your thoughts with us through your poetry. Bill

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 7:54:00 AM

Hi Bill. We have fun doing this sort of thing. We like celebrating good things in life and letting us all experience the joy of just being. It's funny that we can even reach a thrilling existence without any mumbo jumbo....just being honest with each other and friendly too. Hope you are well and sending smiles!! Maybe this should be poetry cafe....that way we can enjoy without slurping. Take care!!

Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 7/17/2025 6:26:00 AM

Hello Lin and Duke, Wow, POTD that shows a circle of kindness and candor in a world full of noise and misunderstanding, it really is possible to choose warmth, humility, and intention when we write and speak to one another. What moves me most is the way you both craft space for collaboration without losing respect for one another’s truths. It's not just the lines themselves, but the spirit behind them why we keep coming back to write, to share, to be better friends and poets. I’m genuinely grateful for our circle. Summer Blessings, Duke and Lin, Daniel

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 7:47:00 AM

Daniel, you are a bright star and voice of reason! It is possible to be kind even to those who disagree with us or who leave us less than positive comments at times. We can forgive them for sure. The sharing is incredibly satisfying indeed and for sure you get it! Sending you smiles kind sir!!

Sotto Poet

Date: 7/17/2025 6:08:00 AM

This excellent poem underscores the value of kindness and optimism in dialogue, especially among poets. It promotes intelligent speech while preventing jealousy and confusion. The poem also discusses the bond between poets, emphasizing the worth of mutual respect and understanding while advocating a positive and uplifting attitude in creative talks. Words like "trivialities," "banalities," and "surly" imply discord, but phrases like "abundance of smiles" and "cultivate a new attitude" promote optimism.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 7:34:00 AM

SP, you get it. What we're doing here is supposed to be fun. We might ruffle a few feathers in trying to make a point, but at least we can express ourselves and also try to understand what others have to say.

Janice Canerdy

Date: 7/17/2025 5:54:00 AM

Duke and Lin, CONGRATULATIONS. Your POTD makes an excellent point. I've been fortunate in that no PS member has ever responded to my poems with unkind, rude comments. Janice

Janice Canerdy
Date: 7/21/2025 8:01:00 PM

THANKS, Duke! Janice

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 7:25:00 AM

Janice hello. That is indeed fortunate. However, if someone does, it's always good to remember they may have some insecurity or obsession. I'll check out an entry of yours and try to be kind (LOL) Smiles!!!

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 7/17/2025 5:48:00 AM

Congrats to you and Lin Duke. Lesson for the day, :)

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 7:15:00 AM

Thanks Linda, you understand! That makes you part of the body of the good! Smiles!!

Tom Woody

Date: 7/17/2025 4:50:00 AM

Oh gosh golly. Congrats congrats. I feel a blog coming on...

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 4:52:00 AM

Tom, just remember...don't let your head swell too much! We need to have some humility! LOL!!! Smiles!!

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 7/17/2025 4:02:00 AM

congrats on POTD designation to you both

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 4:38:00 AM

Sara, you are very kind. Many Tys! We are just trying to be artistic and have fun at the same time.

Tania Kitchin

Date: 7/17/2025 3:38:00 AM

Duke and Lin, a wonderful collaboration and with a powerful message. Congratulations on POTD!

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 4:30:00 AM

Hi Tania, Boys and girls just want to have fun! Hope you are well and smiles, of course!!

Keith D Trestrail

Date: 7/17/2025 3:20:00 AM

Duke, I loved you in The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the anti-hero from the villain. Congrats on your collaboration with Annie Oakley.

Tom Woody
Date: 7/17/2025 4:53:00 AM

I've analyzed as well. Still working on my version of Soup Creek...

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 4:48:00 AM

I do say, that's very clever!

Keith D Trestrail
Date: 7/17/2025 4:32:00 AM

That’s me, Making Analytical Great Again!

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 4:27:00 AM

Keith, I'm thinking you have a very analytical way of looking at things and a kind heart as well. Yes, Annie is quite the character. She does shoot straight indeed. You made me smile. There's so much fun we can all have. Take care.

Karen Jones

Date: 7/17/2025 1:32:00 AM

Many congrats on POTD, its a great collaboration Duke and Lin. Oh my there is a glitch trying to correct.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 4:20:00 AM

Karen, seems like your comment was overwritten somehow. However, I know you were here and consider you most welcome. Take care and smiles!

Jan Allison

Date: 7/17/2025 1:31:00 AM

dropping back with many congrats on POTD, its a great collaboration Duke and Lin I've seen cutting remarks on a previous POTD by a newbie - humour is subjective and if folk don't like what we write - don't comment - its not rocket science x hugs jan xx

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 4:17:00 AM

Jan, Lin is a very special person on this site. Her poetry, like yours, is a pleasure to read and think about. She helps make this place a great place. When you get to know her work as we may, you see she has a very kind heart and makes a lot of sense. Smiles, of course!!

Tom Cunningham

Date: 7/17/2025 12:59:00 AM

Congratulations to you Duke and Lin on today's POTD honour. Well deserved too. Tom

Duke Beaufort
Date: 7/17/2025 4:13:00 AM

Hi Tom, much appreciated. We really appreciate very much what you add to this site and we love reading your work. That's what this is all about!! Smiles!!