Home » Poems » Sara Etgen-Baker » I Wish I Had Poetry Contest-Blindness

Sara Etgen-Baker | + Follow Poet |

I Wish I Had Poetry Contest-Blindness

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Sara Etgen-Baker.

(“Blindness”-Image courtesy of nytimes.com)

Line of inquiry

The ego within forced me to resist

But now I wish I had effused a love mist

With aplomb and flair, just kind of left it there

For self-aware souls passing by, who choose to pair

“The moment you become aware of the ego in you, it is strictly speaking no longer the ego, but just an old, conditioned mind-pattern. Ego implies unawareness. Awareness and ego cannot coexist.” Eckhart Tolle ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If only we all could perceive The blindness that lives underneath The darkness that lives inside That we so often try to hide but always seems to slide to the outside If only we all could catch That blindness before it hatches Into something that begins to define The relationship, the pairing, between one human and humankind. If only our egos we all could see What we do to you and me Allowing the darkness to seep through our pores And penetrate the minds, bodies, and souls Of any innocent bystander Who happens to clash with the wrath of our own blindness. If only we could grasp—our resistance Is our lack of self-awareness, Our combined individual blindness, Our inability to see our ego’s refusal to infuse love and compassion into our hearts and souls. If only we all would believe That what we claim to be a problem of society Is rooted deep in the cavities Of the blindness that lives underneath Our own individual lives.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

John Lawless

Date: 3/22/2024 3:57:00 AM

If only the "if Only's" were followed by the what if's" and the "what if's" followed by ...hmmmmm....thanks a lot Sara....this is gonna haunt me all day...well done

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 3/22/2024 4:00:00 AM

thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights, John. I agree with your train of thought...sorry to have 'haunted' you but hope the ghost of 'what ifs' left you alone during the night :-) have a splendid day, Sara

Daniel Caplin

Date: 3/21/2024 10:01:00 PM

Hi Sara , this struck a cord , we are all capable of a variety of chosen blindness , the more exposed you become to suffering the more you see, but without empathy one lives in perpetual darkness , self is greater than all else , beautiful and true words , good luck in the contest for I Wish I Had . Daniel

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 3/22/2024 3:58:00 AM

thanks for visiting, Daniel, and for sharing your insightful words. I agree. Without empathy one lives in ego, and self-serving darkness. Sad but a reality for many. Appreciate you, Daniel. Have a pleasant Friday, Sara

Gershon Wolf

Date: 3/21/2024 8:43:00 PM

Excellent poesy Sara... Personally, I'm right up there with the best of them: Can't see my way out of a paper bag.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 3/22/2024 3:56:00 AM

thanks for your kind words, Gershon, and for your bit of Gershon wit...put a smile on my face. Have a pleasant Friday, Sara

Paige Hind

Date: 3/21/2024 7:59:00 PM

I read his book The Power of Now. A beautiful and inspiring poem, Sara- hugs

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 3/22/2024 3:55:00 AM

I haven't read that particular book, but have other books by him. He has a subtly in his writings that I appreciate. Thanks for your comments and visit. Happy Friday, hugs, Sara

Hilda Greenhough

Date: 3/21/2024 5:31:00 PM

This is an interesting look ar a basic personality traits. Very well done.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 3/21/2024 5:56:00 PM

thank you for visiting, Hilda, and for sharing your insightful comments. I appreciate your complimentary words as well. Have a splendid evening, hugs, Sara

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 3/21/2024 1:15:00 PM

I enjoyed reading this wonderful write. What an ending. "Good Luck" Have blessed day writing away.................

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 3/21/2024 5:55:00 PM

thanks for your visit, Paula, and for sharing your thoughts. Wishing you a blessed evening, hugs, Sara

Silent One

Date: 3/21/2024 1:00:00 PM

An excellent take on the contest, your poem serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of personal growth and self-reflection in creating a more compassionate and harmonious world. It encourages readers to look inward and confront their own darkness in order to cultivate a brighter, more empathetic existence.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 3/21/2024 5:54:00 PM

thank you, Silent One, for your visit and for your insightful comments. Grateful for your in depth read and thoughts. You 'get' me! :-) Hope you have a pleasant evening, Sara

Jay Narain

Date: 3/21/2024 11:10:00 AM

Toughtful poem on self awareness. We have to forsake the darkness of self ego to see the brightness of humanity.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 3/21/2024 5:53:00 PM

wise and well said words, Jay. I agree! Thanks for sharing! Appreciate your visit today, Sara

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 3/21/2024 8:26:00 AM

- It applies to many areas in life, Sara - Put it away completely, it's not always as easy in practice - A thought-provoking poem :) - hugs

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 3/21/2024 5:52:00 PM

I agree with you, Anne-Lise...keeping ego in check isn't always easy. Glad you found my poem thought provoking. Thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts. Have a great evening, hugs, Sara

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 3/21/2024 6:19:00 AM

What thoughtful ponderings. I think you keep your ego very much in check. I think without an ego very little would be accomplished. A balancing act for sure.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 3/21/2024 5:51:00 PM

wise words, Richard. I agree. Balance is the key. Subdued ego has a place. Thanks for your kind words about my own ego...I work at it...sometimes, though, I'm most unsuccessful :-) thanks for your visit. Have a pleasant evening, Sara

Vijay Pandit

Date: 3/21/2024 6:13:00 AM

A deep search within, Sara. Your poem resonates with self awareness--urging to broaden minds beyond own narrow sphere. Powerful thoughts.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 3/21/2024 5:50:00 PM

thank you, Vijay, for stopping by and for appreciating the self-awareness image...you 'got' my intention. I'm grateful! enjoy your evening, Sara