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Notes About The Poem

Written for Sotto Poet's contest, Stocism as a way of life.

Stoicism teaches us to focus on the things we can control—our thoughts, emotions, and actions—while accepting the things we cannot, such as the actions of others or the natural course of events going on in the world around us.

I am not a follower of Stoicism, but I feel self control is very important. It is not easy to achieve, especially with the world we live in and bias media and TV shows. People will always believe what they feel is right, so the important thing for an individual is to have good morals and principles and adopt an open mind... After all hate does not eradicate hate...

Lets hope for a peaceful world where everyone can exist without any prejudice or discrimination.

On a seperate note.. Do you ever wonder if this will be your last poem?

Stoicism Sonnet

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. 
Today I am wise, 
so I am changing myself.”
Rumi

In a world where ego still reigns supreme,
soul searches for a place seen in a dream.
An inn where there's no room for ignorance,
where no race of people seek dominance.

But, first one must turn to self reflection,
cleanse a heart for virtue with affection.
Adopt morals that bloom like white flowers,
soften loathing thoughts through sincere showers.

We cannot change woes out of our control,
nor save everyone we choose to condole.
Be a lamp against gloom of falsehoods,
a remedy for those with poisoned bloods.

With sincere eyes spread a message of peace,
ease malice minds, so injustice can cease.

A sonnet with ten syllables per line.

emotionsperspectivephilosophysonnet

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Anne-Lise Andresen

November 29, 2023 at 9:22 AM

- Congratulations on your win in the "Stoicism As Way of Life" contest...great writing, S.O. :) - hugs

Sotto Poet

November 28, 2023 at 1:16 PM

Silent One, your sonnet is a profound and insightful reflection, coupled with a practical perspective on life, reminding us of the limitations of trying to change others. Instead, our focus should be on personal growth and transformation. ; I love the Rumi quote and the video. Congratulations on your well-deserved first-place win.

Jim Slaughter

November 28, 2023 at 11:08 AM

Ambitions well worth striving for...but somehow seemingly very difficult for mankind to achieve. A very evocative piece, nonetheless, S O.

William Kelii Kekaula

November 24, 2023 at 12:01 PM

Perceptive depths, Silent One. Structrual conceyance with stab-lizing consequences, and on the whole, I truly enjoyed your interpretations of US's contest. BOL, my friend. Aloha, William

Valsa George

November 20, 2023 at 9:47 PM

Very sagacious thoughts.... and a pragmatic view of life. We can't change anybody. What we can do is changing ourselves. Love Rumi's thoughts ! You always pick up his powerful quotes to highlight your point!

Joe Maverick

November 11, 2023 at 11:27 AM

Well this is a most constrctive and well Construed piece SI.' You have invested a lot In its creation..I use the word pointedly B t w, I feel better for reading through your Lines.'

Meymei Rose

November 7, 2023 at 5:34 PM

Thank you for “poetraying” that place as you describe in the first paragraph. I believe in such a place of healing

Sam Kauffman

November 7, 2023 at 11:46 AM

Perfectly expressed, SO! "Be a lamp" - light on a hill. "Soul searches for a place to dream." What an extraordinary phrase, just one among so many. I kept thinking about a phrase that I woke me up the the other. day. "Be people of good will." How elegantly you have expressed that thought. Truly this poem is a blessing - two minds in sync! This is a fav for me. Best wishes for the contest. Blessings to you and gratitude.

Susan Manley

November 6, 2023 at 4:44 PM

I love this poem Silent One. Though I wage war with words and tear bullies up with intellect. The reality is I am the peacemaker. I see both sides to most realitys and am gifted with that want to find common ground and ways forward. And for people to stop dehumanizing and demonizing or taking public dialog into a sport game. Its not, we all lose. And humanity wastes precious time, lives and resources. Bigger games on the world stage are being played. Time waits for none of us.

Linda Alice Fowler

November 5, 2023 at 6:00 PM

wow - this whole poem comprises emotive thoughts in multiple directions. Love its thought-provoking messages. :)

Bill Baker

November 3, 2023 at 5:41 PM

A thought-provoking sonnet, Silent One. A good entry for the contest, IMHO. The sonnet is well-written and the message you offer is both doable and on an individual level, conducive to a peaceful existence if in isolation. While engaged in the world we live in, radical behavior by others is, going to impact the bubble a person lives in. (IMHO) When I'm unable to handle the physical situation I find myself in, I turn inward and seek help from my Creator. The Creator can handle it. Bill

Ayesha Iqbal

November 2, 2023 at 10:07 PM

Your words speak louder to the souls who love peace, kindness, and light.. I sincerely believe one can always try to adopt good morals and improve.. as you said in your poem too brother. I hope it's not too late before the last chance of redemption and repentance comes. Your words are so beautiful and healing as always.. brilliantly inked!!

Hiya Sharma

November 1, 2023 at 8:55 AM

This sonnet reflects so much wisdom and philosophical depth, that if incorporated in life, can make everything much more beautiful for us humans and every creature..All we need to do is hold pure morals close to our hearts, be empathetic and spread kindness, because already this world is like a black hole with dark magnetic effects of ego, dominance, lies and hate. "Adopt morals that bloom like white flowers,soften..through sincere showers","Be a lamp..remedy for those with poisoned bloods" True

Hiya Sharma

November 1, 2023 at 8:57 AM

You've crafted this so brilliantly! Conveying so much truth within these words that have such precious messages.. I love that quote by Rumi too! Best of luck to you for the contest!

Paige Hind

October 31, 2023 at 12:10 PM

Loved it! So much truth...

The Situation

October 31, 2023 at 11:24 AM

Great work here. It is the pieces that take work that are the best.

Andrea Dietrich

October 31, 2023 at 10:12 AM

Great sonnet, Silent one. I was reading the top part, with all your intelligent ideas, and thinking to myself 'but this is not a sonnet' Then I realized the sonnet was beneath the introduction. I sure hope I can come up with a sonnet as full of wisdom as this one.

Joseph P. DiMino

October 31, 2023 at 9:46 AM

From your sincere, poetic lips to the ears of ranting world. Well done! Well said. Blessings.

Kim Rodrigues

October 31, 2023 at 6:24 AM

Hate does not eradicate hate and in a world where the unthinkable has been done, where we are seeing atrocities that do not speak of being civilized, things I can’t even speak of, a world where freedom is being squelched, ideologies of hate are being introduced…where does our peace come from…where truth is found…We look to our Savior!

Silent One

October 31, 2023 at 6:42 AM

I don't think there will be a savior Kim.. sadly.. and the unthinkable has been done for centuries now.. just a vicious circle going around and around..

Vijay Pandit

October 31, 2023 at 5:25 AM

With sincere eyes spread a message of peace, ease malice minds, so injustice can cease-- powerful message so succinctly delivered, SO. Your Rumi quote is awesome, enlightening.

Arastu Goyal

October 31, 2023 at 4:29 AM

Loved this! I liked your wise and meaningful sonnet about todays world! Really enjoyed the metaphors that you used, nice work!

Maria Williams

October 31, 2023 at 4:06 AM

As a wise man once said...; If you want to change the World, then change yourself. There is so much going on in this world, with everyone having an opinion about any and everything, that sometimes it's just better to disconnect, meditate and pray for Peace instead. A great poem S1. Good luck in the contest. Hugs

Ink Empress

October 31, 2023 at 3:57 AM

Creative and profound write this is! Meaningful one that conveys so much! I am with you there! Ego destroys all, unfortunately we live in a world that contradicts what they preach, preach for peace and humanity but one race and religion seems more important the rest, the hypocrisy of the wind that carries tales! Well if you want to change the world, first change the face in the mirror! Open you heart and arms for kindness a place that welcomes affection and love, not hate! How are we supposed to

Ink Empress

October 31, 2023 at 3:59 AM

Make a difference if we sound just like the hate thats taking over this world! A very gentle and wise poem this is! Conveys so much and as i read this im listening to michael jackson “ they dont care about us” well coincidence but fits the mood! Love this! Goodluck for the contest! Well said and written

Stoicism Sonnet

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