Helen J Radford Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

I was thinking how distracted we all are by materialism. How we always look 'out there' for answers: life, God, meaning, when we have them all within us all the time. I was thinking how we try to delay aging, constantly dieting, popping fat burning pills. And the stuff we collect is obscene! How often do we stop to breathe, look within and truly listen. All that led me to try and write again. It's  been a while so not my best work, but written from the heart nevertheless. 

Life

Behind the scars and the bumps and bends
Lies wisdom.
In the lines and the aches and pains
Is etched ‘experience’.

We live in this body for a while.
incarnate, living in physicality, in duality
with the spirit deep within, and while
discernment grows, the chassis rusts

and eventually it turns to dust - 
it was only borrowed after all.
Physical being is to finite as
the soul is to infinity. 

So in the quest to seek eternal youth,
be circumspect and don’t forget the truth.
Nurture the soul instead, listen to its voice.
Search within and don’t be distracted by the

lure of materialism. Hoard acumen, poise,
prudence, and grow in understanding.
Don’t get  choked by the weeds of greed. 
We are only a short time here, make it count.

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Johnson Vdev May 18, 2025 at 6:19 PM My favourite subject. Strong message indeed. The last two lines says it all. Great Helen J Radford June 16, 2025 at 12:51 PM Thank you ????

N.D Chibunna March 3, 2025 at 1:19 AM Nice poem. So real and profound. I love the realism and thought provoking words. Thanks for sharing

Oliver Mckeithan February 13, 2025 at 5:54 AM Well said. It is easy to get caught up in all the "stuff" and forget what really counts. The book of Eclesiastés labels it as a chasing after the wind. Great poem Helen J Radford February 13, 2025 at 5:57 AM Thank you Oliver. Yes indeed. I appreciate your appreciation ????