Empty Hands
Empty Hands
I arrived with nothing, an empty vessel
No thoughts or opinions
No knowledge of what was around me
Simply hands held out for help.
Along the way I began to learn
My opinions were molded by those around me
My thoughts in line with the popular beliefs of my clan
My personality shaped by those assumptions.
Soon I began to walk on my own
Developing thoughts beyond what my teachers had told me
Confused but driven by the need of something more
I found myself floundering in unknown territory.
Afraid of the unknown yet unwilling to be still
I pressed forward and developed my own beliefs
Though it was contrary to the norm I felt empowered
It seemed that nothing could stand in my way.
I had become self-reliant and needed no one
My head stuffed with ideas that I approved of
My journey had taken me to the false security of self awareness
My hands were filled with all that I had to offer.
What could stand in my way?
Convinced that I could conquer anything
I feared nothing, making the path my own design
I was convinced that I alone was in control of my destiny.
But then all that seemed right in my world began to crumble
Like a towering wall weathered beyond repair
It came as a surprise to many when it fell
But in truth I had known all along that something was wrong.
Even the most egotistical among us must look in the mirror
The most unwilling to change know very well that all of their rants have little basis
But we continue to lie to ourselves making it easy to deceive others
All the while our hands are overflowing with things.....but contain only emptiness.
This I'm afraid is the destiny of the children of men
When they fail to recognize that destiny is not controlled by their will
But instead by one who lives just beyond the edge of our sight
While participating in every part of our lives.
Can this arrogance and self-reliance be changed?
I believe it can be eradicated by its nemesis ....humility
A heart that falls silent instead of defending its actions
Only truly empty hands seeking help can hold hope! JB
Copyright © John Brooks | Year Posted 2014
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