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Adulthood In Practice For Adult Contest

Adulthood in Practice (For Adult Contest) There came a time when I began to see That this life was about more than me. And as that view sharpened in my sight I saw a line separating wrong from right. If by choice I placed myself in the wrong, I knew I could not abide that place long. I saw my presence there hurting others— My infinite family of sisters and brothers. It struck me that each of my selfish acts The well-being of others a price exacts. But if I chose the right, hard though it be I was giving selfless service responsibly. Being an adult means directing one’s being To lifting lives and in compassion believing. Again and ever still it is the time-tried case Of putting unconditional love in first place. There are those who believe this is naïve. To self alone they cleave—and misperceive. Despite age, they are adults in name only Numbered of humankind’s lost and lonely.

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Skat A

Date: 4/30/2015 7:50:00 PM

PAUL, Congratulations on your win. SKAT

Paul Schneiter
Date: 4/30/2015 10:03:00 PM

Thank you, SKAT. It's gracious and thoughtful of you to stop by and acknowledge my win.

Jan Allison

Date: 4/29/2015 5:42:00 AM

Dropping back with my congrats:-) hugs jan xx

Paul Schneiter
Date: 4/29/2015 6:16:00 PM

Thank you, Jan. How very fortunate I am to have your cyberspace friendship.

Carrie Richards

Date: 4/28/2015 2:53:00 PM

Naive' it is not. Wise, it is.....indeed, to practice putting another's needs first. The sign of true adulthood. I do agree !! Congratulations on a well thought poem !

Paul Schneiter
Date: 4/28/2015 5:36:00 PM

Thank you, Carrie. I value and appreciate your kind, encouraging comment. All the best to you and your loved ones.

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 4/28/2015 2:53:00 PM

Wonderful win Paul....LINDA

Paul Schneiter
Date: 4/28/2015 5:39:00 PM

Thank you, Linda. Much of what I know about writing poetry I learned from you and two or three other Super Soupers. When I joined Soup, you were the first to welcome me. I haven't forgotten that. Blessings!

Faye Gibson

Date: 4/28/2015 2:33:00 PM

Great write, Paul; our world needs more of this wisdom. Congratulations!

Paul Schneiter
Date: 4/28/2015 5:44:00 PM

Thank you, Faye. I'm grateful to you for your thoughtfulness in commenting and for the generous compliment. Poets like you make this site something, as my Mother would say, "to write home about."

Rob Carmack

Date: 4/28/2015 1:43:00 PM

Congrats Paul for you placement and the wisdom in this poem.

Paul Schneiter
Date: 4/28/2015 5:48:00 PM

I value and appreciate your kind, encouraging words, rob. Thank you, thank you!

Sandra Haight

Date: 4/28/2015 12:48:00 PM

Wow, Paul, such an amazing poem that fulfills the theme so well on so many levels and is so nicely rhymed. A huge congratulations to you for your 3rd Place win and for your prize! Sandra

Paul Schneiter
Date: 4/28/2015 5:52:00 PM

Sandra, you are a sweetheart for sending so many kind, encouraging words my way. Please know of my gratitude. As soon as I have time, I'm going to read some of your poems and make a comment or two. Something tells me they are excellent.

Debbie Guzzi

Date: 4/25/2015 7:46:00 PM

Amen & Awoman ;) Light & Love

Paul Schneiter
Date: 4/25/2015 7:51:00 PM

Thank you, Debbie. I'm grateful for your comment, and yes, indeed, let there be "Light & Love" (it's always in fashion).

Kp Nunez

Date: 4/24/2015 8:40:00 PM

Excellent take, Paul. Hard to do, but ultimately, still the best. Blessings for the contest! :) Kim

Paul Schneiter
Date: 4/25/2015 1:39:00 PM

Thank you, Kim. I treasure praise and words of encouragement from you; they always help to renew by desire to write as well as you do.

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 4/24/2015 8:05:00 PM

G'day Paul... nicely rhymed and a beaut message that should be heeded to, although as you stated, some are only adults in name only, and unfortunately they have been taught to be like this from adults - thank you Paul - Lindsay

Paul Schneiter
Date: 4/24/2015 8:16:00 PM

I like to think that all Aussies are as thoughtful as you, but, of course, that isn't realistic. Still, it's fun to imagine it. . . . Thank you for your encouraging, supportive comment. Please know of my gratitude. You help to make this site the marvel that it is.

Nigel Fox

Date: 4/24/2015 4:20:00 PM

Yes your right ! Your so so correct ! And your compassion ! And your adulthood ! Guidance to all given so freely ! How Nice !

Paul Schneiter
Date: 4/24/2015 5:09:00 PM

To my knowledge, poets are at liberty to express a point of view. Perhaps, though, I have been misinformed lo these many years.

Jan Allison

Date: 4/24/2015 3:20:00 PM

Learning right from wrong - realisation that our actions have such a massive impact on other is a valuable lesson - wise words in the final stanza:-) Hugs Jan xx

Paul Schneiter
Date: 4/24/2015 5:06:00 PM

Thank you, Jan. You probably know more than I do about the U. S. author William Dean Howells who believed that every individual act affects, in one way or another, all of society. I read some of Howells' work in college, and I suppose his influence has had a lasting impact.