Suzette Richards | + Follow Poet |
Quatrain | + Fav Poem | Comment | Email | Print |

Ignorance Is Bliss

… where ignorance is bliss,  / ‘Tis folly to be wise.

Informed about the choices—
the mainstay o’ adulthood—
we often smother voices;
in good stead they have stood.
Grapple with, analyse
a destination grim:
a web of intrigue; lies
which we quote verbatim.
Some opportunities
present itself to us
with practicalities.
We often wish to cuss,
but many chances missed
in pursuit of prize.
Where ignorance is bliss,
‘tis folly to be wise.

The quote is from the final stanza of Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College, by Thomas Gray (1716–71). 
This is an example of gnomic poetry.

Copyright © Suzette Richards | Year Posted 2022

Please Login to post a comment

FJ Thomas Date: 1/8/2023 10:38:00 AM Ignorance is bliss until one realizes their ignorance, then hopefully we would move to correct that present state... wishful thinking on my part lol. Awesome write! How have you been Suzette?! Login to Reply Suzette Richards Date: 1/8/2023 9:32:00 PM Some people seem to flourish in a state of ignorance. I'm well, thank you. Keep well :))

Len Gasun Date: 8/9/2022 1:33:00 AM This is briliant my dear friend Zette. I love its inspiring message. I love its special form too. Thanks for sharing and the learnings. I enjoyed this awesome piece a lot. God bless you and your writings always. Hugs.. hugs.. Login to Reply Suzette Richards Date: 8/9/2022 7:24:00 AM Thanks for the positive feedback, Len :))

Quoth Theraven Date: 7/31/2022 10:46:00 AM Suzette, Enjoyed this. Has a lilting quality with a reverberating, albeit tongue-in-cheek, message. -Richard Login to Reply Suzette Richards Date: 8/1/2022 12:52:00 AM Yes, if we can't laugh at ourselves ... It took me many years before I realized how ignorant I am on many subjects. Thanks for reading, Richard:))