Paul Schneiter Poet Rhyme

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 April 30, 2015 at 7:50 PM PAUL, Congratulations on your win. SKAT Paul Schneiter April 30, 2015 at 10:03 PM Thank you, SKAT. It's gracious and thoughtful of you to stop by and acknowledge my win.

Jan Allison April 29, 2015 at 5:42 AM Dropping back with my congrats:-) hugs jan xx Paul Schneiter April 29, 2015 at 6:16 PM Thank you, Jan. How very fortunate I am to have your cyberspace friendship.

Carrie Richards April 28, 2015 at 2:53 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 April 28, 2015 at 5:36 PM Thank you, Carrie. I value and appreciate your kind, encouraging comment. All the best to you and your loved ones.

Poet Destroyer A April 28, 2015 at 2:53 PM Wonderful win Paul....LINDA Paul Schneiter April 28, 2015 at 5:39 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 April 28, 2015 at 2:33 PM Great write, Paul; our world needs more of this wisdom. Congratulations! Paul Schneiter April 28, 2015 at 5:44 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 April 28, 2015 at 1:43 PM Congrats Paul for you placement and the wisdom in this poem. Paul Schneiter April 28, 2015 at 5:48 PM I value and appreciate your kind, encouraging words, rob. Thank you, thank you!

Sandra Haight April 28, 2015 at 12:48 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 April 28, 2015 at 5:52 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 April 25, 2015 at 7:46 PM Amen & Awoman ;) Light & Love Paul Schneiter April 25, 2015 at 7:51 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 April 24, 2015 at 8:40 PM Excellent take, Paul. Hard to do, but ultimately, still the best. Blessings for the contest! :) Kim Paul Schneiter April 25, 2015 at 1:39 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 April 24, 2015 at 8:05 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 April 24, 2015 at 8:16 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 April 24, 2015 at 4:20 PM Yes your right ! Your so so correct ! And your compassion ! And your adulthood ! Guidance to all given so freely ! How Nice ! Paul Schneiter April 24, 2015 at 5:09 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 April 24, 2015 at 3:20 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 April 24, 2015 at 5:06 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.