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A Toast To the Naive

To ALL those who think their thinking will understand life and love, war and peace, hate and forgiveness, good and evil, hell and heaven... To the intellectuals who loudly declare hope an illusion, belief delusion, religion refuge for fools, and science to be the only true god... To the socialists and communists and all progressive people who are certain humanity's makeover is just within reach, perfection awaits only correct ideology, with justice, fairness, equality for all... (as long as it's done their way). To the materialists who are bold and brave, seeing death as extinction, life as meaningless, so proud, so very proud that they, and only they know the truth: what you see is what you get... A toast to all the naive, who see but are blind, hear but are deaf, feel but are so insensate of life's Spirit, they live like mice in a magnificent palace...

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Susan Gentry

Date: 8/16/2018 12:16:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. I would love to make that toast too! A fav. Thing is, they probably wouldn't get it. :)

L. J. Carber
Date: 8/16/2018 9:22:00 AM

Thanks Susan-- it took me a lifetime to realize it, but if you can spark an 'a-ha' moment in just a single person, you've been a success. In truth, we all unseeing to some degree in this cloud of unknowing we call life.

Greg Gaul

Date: 8/14/2018 7:04:00 PM

L.J., a biting testament to the foolish hubris that I must admit I've harbored in my progressive ways. Certainty is the demon my friend. Your poem has a intelligence about it that is highlighted by its cutting edge. Congrats on your win. Keep inking.

L. J. Carber
Date: 8/15/2018 8:07:00 AM

Thank you Greg, for a truly thought-filled review. As a young man I was an agnostic socialist, so sure I was right--but I could not see then how broken I was, how fearful of love, or that we all are broken, to one degree or another. As a philosopher (maybe Voltaire?) said once, if God did not exist, we would have to invent Him.

Jan Allison

Date: 8/14/2018 4:39:00 PM

I especially like the final stanza Len, congrats on your win:-) hugs Jan xx

L. J. Carber
Date: 8/15/2018 8:01:00 AM

Thanks Jan-- must confess, I'm partial to it too!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 8/14/2018 9:44:00 AM

That is it. You have nailed it. They ARE mice!! Too bad for them...unfortunately. Best wishes, Gershon

L. J. Carber
Date: 8/14/2018 9:46:00 AM

Thanks Gershon

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/14/2018 8:01:00 AM

I’m not sure what it has to do with the contest but either way it is an excellent poem. Congrats on your win.:0)

L. J. Carber
Date: 8/14/2018 9:44:00 AM

Thanks Richard

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib

Date: 8/14/2018 7:04:00 AM

What a poem! And that last line. An incredible ink. Congratulations on your win! xomo

L. J. Carber
Date: 8/14/2018 9:44:00 AM

Thank you Maureen

Line Gauthier

Date: 8/13/2018 9:57:00 PM

I enjoyed your take on this challenge, LJ. Congrats on your podium finish.

L. J. Carber
Date: 8/14/2018 9:45:00 AM

Thanks Line--I guess it was a bit 'out of the box' but it seemed relevant in a way.

Funom Makama

Date: 3/2/2016 8:25:00 AM

What a lovely page with a profound group of words. I am loving every aspect of this piece. Thumbs up friend and a definite 7

Leo Larry Amadore

Date: 1/17/2016 4:21:00 PM

"What the wise doubt, the fool believes. Who is it then that love deceives?" Louise Bogan, "Juan's Song." And just, who, really are the "naive?" Truly the "intellectuals" who fail to "see", are "blind", "hear" but are "deaf"? Or perhaps, really, the "others?" An interesting write; I enjoyed reading it.

Pete Yuhas

Date: 1/17/2016 1:55:00 PM

Nice Write Len, first time reading your work.