Intelligentsia

I think about intelligence
     And wonder why we think our due
     Is sanctioned by our own IQ
That natural inheritance
     Compels us by unbending laws
     To evolutionary cause
That beggars to irrelevance
     The truth that brains can be a threat
     That make it easy to forget
The most compelling evidence
     That intellect may well provide
     A rationale for venal pride
Displacing sounder temperaments
     With logical proficiency
     Ignoring self-deficiency
And cultivates intolerance
     With vanity incredulous
     And tidy, hidden prejudice
That blithely leads to negligence
     Denying those less capable
     In contexts inescapable

I much prefer the elegance
     Of caring for the other guy
     Of answering a helpless cry
Of principled benevolence
     That intellect cannot be taught
     Beyond the wit of reasoned thought

I think about intelligence
That natural inheritance
That beggars to irrelevance
The most compelling evidence
Displacing sounder temperaments
And cultivates intolerance
That blithely leads to negligence

I much prefer the elegance
Of principled benevolence



Written July 5, 2018
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Marcum Wong Avatar
July 23, 2018 at 3:51 PM
An impressive Constanza Brian! I especially loved your last two stanzas. Excellent work! Congratulations! : )
Gentry Avatar
July 17, 2018 at 9:52 AM
A masterful poem with thought-provoking flowing rhymes. Congratulations on your win.
Gondolf Avatar
July 16, 2018 at 12:45 PM
A very well written Constanza, Brian, congrats on your placement. John
Densham Avatar
October 27, 2018 at 4:45 PM
Much appreciated. Thanks!
Pinet Avatar
July 16, 2018 at 12:12 PM
Congratulations Brian, your poem earned a distinguished place in my contest, it was a very tough contest to judge, well done my friend, Emile.
Densham Avatar
October 27, 2018 at 4:44 PM
Thank you Emile! Good fun and very rewarding too!
Coulstock Avatar
July 8, 2018 at 7:55 AM
It took intelligence to write this Brian.I love the intellectual sustenance for my mind and the underlying compassion to enrich my soul.You achieved both with this.Thank you.
Densham Avatar
July 9, 2018 at 5:49 AM
Thank you!
Man Avatar
July 6, 2018 at 1:36 AM
Hi Brian.. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your well crafted write this evening. I always appreciate the giftings of a pen in the hand of a poet!
Densham Avatar
July 8, 2018 at 11:55 AM
So kind. Thanks you very much.
Densham Avatar
July 5, 2018 at 7:57 PM
Written for the 'New Constanza Poems' Poetry Contest" held by Emile Pinet
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace