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One Sweet Song

I grew up with philosophers 
and never realized 
how grandiose those thinkers were
before my very eyes  

Neither had a Ph.D. 
or similar degrees
or authored books that often took
supreme intelligence to read 

They had no claim to fortune or fame
but simply, lived life well 
from day to day and throughout the years
though I could never tell

The depth of all their thoughts and dreams
and how they navigated 
through mud slides and rising tides 
all the while, I was elated

Not privy to their tribulations
and mountain peaks to climb
in all their pains and aggravations 
their spirits always shined

Reminding me of Socrates 
and Plato in some ways
always finding peace of mind 
despite some dismal days

Giving until their final ends 
all the beauty and truth sublime 
until they bequeathed this world to me 
I was living as if half blind

But now I see their philosophy
all these tears and lightyears later 
my dad and mom sang one sweet song 
to me and our Creator.

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Michael Tor

Date: 9/3/2022 4:32:00 PM

Love this reflection on great thinkers who were ordinary people Terry another marvelous poem by you. Thank you for shaing my friend.

Bill Baker

Date: 9/3/2022 3:28:00 PM

God bless, mom and dad, and our Creator. Thanks for the touching tribute to your parents, Terry. Most of us realize later in life, how our parent did the best they could for who they were, but you've when a step further in acknowledging their "life wisdom", and how it plesed their Creator. Thanks for sharing through your poetry my friend, Bill

Jenna Logan

Date: 8/21/2022 5:03:00 PM

Hi Terry, there is always an underlying level of humility in your poetry. I'm wondering if you're an only child.

Jenna Logan
Date: 8/21/2022 5:56:00 PM

I hope you didn't think I was being too personal, but your manner of writing indicates to me that you had a lot of parental guidance and attention. That's a good thing, and even better is that you are grateful for the love and guidance you were given. I'm not sure why I thought so, but I did, and thank you for your kind reply.

Terrell Martin
Date: 8/21/2022 5:36:00 PM

Now THAT's an interesting comment and question, Jenna! It makes me wonder what prompted you to say so. But I'll answer your question paradoxically by saying yes and no. By that I mean I'm the "Baby boy" in a family of 5 older siblings so I was, admittedly, somewhat pampered I hate to admit. Ergo, I think your instincts were/are correct. Thx again:)