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The Vanity of Pleasure

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December 2, 2023
Placed 1st: Pick-A-Title, Vol 40 – Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Edward Ibeh

A transitory phenomenon, a grand adulation of opulent desire, Seeking mirth of heaven on earth, passions ablaze ignite fire, A destination sought after; pleasure is aim of its cherished theme, Yet, it ends in vexation and vanity~ it is an illusion, not a dream. Ephemeral as fog of dawn, as fleeting rainbow on fuchsia arc, As flirtatious infatuation of sunset~ a splendor before dark, A fantasy preceding a nightmare~ the reign of pleasure is short; Alike amber hopes of morn, stygian clouds shroud and thwart. Follies seeking triumphs eternal, are defeated as failings vain, Juxta-positioning on feelings of joy, anguish blaring of pain, Resembling a lunar cycle~ phases of life that wax and wane, Rising with ambitions of full moon, yet, retreating in disdain. Authentic is goodwill of divine, presiding over grandeur of life, Counterfeit are feelings of joy that detour into angst of strife; Permanent is the flame of heart, lit with sapient, inner light, Vacuous is search for spurious delight, futile is its phony plight. Transient pleasure does not yield, if happiness is ultimate goal, Pursuits mundane, ordinary, fail to satiate enlightened soul; Contentment can be achieved, despite the ecstasy vanity stole, In lasting inner peace and harmony, aspirations virtuous extol.

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Silent One

Date: 12/17/2023 3:18:00 AM

Congratulations on your placement in the contest..Great poem my friend

Christuraj Alex

Date: 12/16/2023 7:02:00 PM

"A transitory phenomenon, a grand adulation of opulent desire, Seeking mirth of heaven on earth, passions ablaze ignite fire" - great comparisons and contrastings. Congratulations!

Ink Empress

Date: 12/16/2023 7:28:00 AM

Back to congratulate you on your well deserved win dear vijay. I loved reading this before

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 12/16/2023 5:49:00 AM

I enjoyed your take on the theme. Congratulations on your top placement.

Edward Ibeh

Date: 12/16/2023 4:09:00 AM

An unsurprisingly magnificent piece, Vijay. You continue to floor me with every poem you write. An instant fave. Congratulations on your top win in my contest!

Bj Legros Kelley

Date: 12/14/2023 5:57:00 PM

Such wisdom flowing through your beautiful poem Vijay, it somehow reminds me of the book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament, which in turn will have me reading from that book again tonight. You are an incredible poet. This is another masterpiece.

Hilo Poet

Date: 12/14/2023 9:19:00 AM

Aloha, Vijay. You're spot-on interpreting Edwards titled piece. The Valiant few, the vanity aplenty. Valedation feeds ego's, and when said ego is starved, mentality becomes its 1st victim as it filters reality. Liken to protocol, the rest will fluster like a parrot, and in the end, starvation--in and of itself--will consume the esscence of whatever remains. I do hope that you achieve nothing less than 1st, my friend. A Fave 'tis, --well earned. Aloha, William

Hiya Sharma

Date: 12/8/2023 7:49:00 AM

Very truthfully conveyed, life is a combination of magick and ache, repetitive similarly like those lunar cycles and the real message lies in between those moments when we begin to understand the true essence. You've expressed such profound depth within these words.. "Ephemeral as fog of dawn, as fleeting rainbow on fuchsia arc", "Alike amber hopes of morn, stygian clouds shroud and thwart", "Permanent is the flame of heart, lit with sapient, inner light" Your wordsmithery is honestly golden!

Judy Ball

Date: 12/5/2023 6:35:00 PM

So well said Vijay. I like a poem with a message and this is a good one. To be self serving and seeking only the pleasure of the moment only leads to destruction. We must first seek wisdom and then we will have the pleasure of a satisfactory life which is much more lasting. Good stuff. God Bless, JB

Sotto Poet

Date: 12/5/2023 7:56:00 AM

Dear Vijay, your poem is evidence of your extraordinary prowess in weaving vibrant imagery. The lucid syntax serves to enhance the poem entrancing aesthetic appeal. It is a pleasure to read this exquisitely crafted work as it extols the merits of living a virtuous life. You amaze me with the adept use of rhyme; your poem is replete with an abundance of exceptional verses. To remember that satisfaction can be achieved in defiance of life obstacles, and that the ultimate goal should be happiness.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/5/2023 8:30:00 AM

Always thrilled to hear from you my friend. So nice to receive a vote of approval from one of the TOP poets on Soup. Thank you for taking the time to write such detailed remarks, Lasaad. Much appreciate your presence, as always.

Heidi Sands

Date: 12/4/2023 12:44:00 PM

Excellent Vijay. Well written! :)

Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/5/2023 8:27:00 AM

Thank you Heidi--appreciate your kind feedback, my friend.

Heidi Sands

Date: 12/4/2023 12:43:00 PM

Excellent Vijay. Well written! :)

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 12/4/2023 12:35:00 PM

Earthily lust so well described. Very well described.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/5/2023 8:26:00 AM

Thank you Victor--much appreciate.

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 12/3/2023 12:17:00 PM

Vijay an awesome write your write is so true, people who chase opulence riches and do not find peace within the soul will one day meet what they deserve, love is the answer and prayer and truly important is sharing and giving. a fav for me my friend, BE WELL HUGS AND BLESSINGS Jennifer.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/3/2023 12:49:00 PM

Glad to see you again my friend. Your presence on my page is much valued and appreciated. Many thanks for your kind remarks, Jennifer. Somehow your FAVE did not register. Perhaps you forgot to click on FAVE. Blessings!

Sara Kendrick

Date: 12/3/2023 4:11:00 AM

We definitely can accomplish more if we have inner peace and harmony, but sometimes that is not happening. I enjoyed reading your work. Thank you for sharing and for dropping by my page. Sara K

Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/3/2023 6:30:00 AM

You are so right about inner peace and harmony. Much appreciate your visit and kind feedback, Sara. Many thanks.

Brandy Nicole

Date: 12/2/2023 6:59:00 PM

If moments of pleasure are wrapped in vanity, then, those moments of enjoyment have been fulfilled through selfishness. That's wrong on many levels. So many in the world are only focused on reaching that moment of ecstasy, having no concern of the other person. Your thoughts are powerful, holding so much truth. My best to you, Vijay. Hugs, Brandy

Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/3/2023 6:29:00 AM

Thank you my friend for being there. Your heartfelt insights are much valued and appreciated. Many thanks, Brandy. Hugs to you as well.

Bill Baker

Date: 12/2/2023 5:39:00 PM

A FAV, for this jewel of an entry for the contest, Vijay. Your words flowed smoothly as I read this rhythmic poem. The imagery was exquisite, my friend, and the vocabulary was magnificent. You shouldn't need it, but good luck in the contest. Smiles ~ Blessings Bill

Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/3/2023 6:27:00 AM

Thank you my friend for your precious feedback and your FAVE. Your feedback is much valued and appreciated, Bill. Blessings!

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 12/2/2023 5:20:00 PM

I agree with so many of your lines and words, Vijay. This is a powerful and somewhat spiritual poem. "Transient pleasures does not yield.' You're right, vanity can steal so much joy from our souls. I love your outstanding alliterations...they added a delightful cadence to your poem. Have a splendid evening, Sara

Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/3/2023 6:25:00 AM

So very kind of you, Sara. Always a joy when you visit. Much appreciate your feedback--many thanks.

Evelyn Judy Buehler

Date: 12/2/2023 1:32:00 PM

It's a joy to read this beautifully worded masterpiece, which extols virtuous living! My favorite is the next to last verse. Best of wishes for the contest. :)

Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/3/2023 6:23:00 AM

Coming from you--it means a lot, my friend. Much appreciate your thoughtful feedback, Evelyn. Many thanks.

Joe Dimino

Date: 12/2/2023 10:33:00 AM

"A destination sought after; pleasure is aim of its cherished theme, Yet, it ends in vexation and vanity~ it is an illusion, not a dream." Wonderful use of language Vijay! I guess, if it is forced, does not sort of spring ablaze, mysteriously from Spiritual Chamber of the heart, smack one in the face immediately with clarity~ it will not last. As I often remind myself, if I have to do a lot of internal debating as what is true or false...it is probably wrong for me. Blessings my friend.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/3/2023 6:22:00 AM

Thank you for taking the time to write detailed feedback, my friend. Your thoughts always resonate. Much appreciate--many thanks, Joe. Blessings!

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 12/2/2023 9:59:00 AM

I believe you know heaven here, and you know the sound that peace makes when it knocks at your soul, love it from start to finish. What a lovely heart you own dear poet, I can't see it but I can feel it. :)

Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/3/2023 6:21:00 AM

You are so very kind, Vienna. Much appreciate your insights, my friend. Many thanks.

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 12/2/2023 6:42:00 AM

WOW!!! What a wonderful write. Good Luck... Have a great weekend.................

Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/3/2023 6:20:00 AM

Much appreciate--thank you Paula for your visit and kind remarks.

Silent One

Date: 12/2/2023 6:29:00 AM

I think this is the first poem I have read that used this title for the contest, but I could be wrong.. as always you amaze with your your verses... the rhymes as always are great and there are so many great verses here... In particular the opening line for every stanza really stood out for me especially the second stanza..

Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/3/2023 6:19:00 AM

Glad you liked the poem, my friend. Your vote counts for a lot, SO. Much appreciate--many thanks.

Tom Woody

Date: 12/2/2023 5:59:00 AM

Quite interesting, since I just recently reread the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon made similar remarks, though perhaps not as poetic as yours. For many, transient pleasures become an addiction, a drug, and they never are fully satisfied. I like Solomon's conclusion at chapter 12 verse 13. Have a great weekend Veej

Tom Woody
Date: 12/3/2023 6:25:00 AM

It's a Bible book

Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/3/2023 6:18:00 AM

Not familiar with the work you cite, Tom--but coming from you I know, those words must be special. Much appreciate your visit and comments--many thanks.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 12/2/2023 5:46:00 AM

You rose well to the challenge of the contest theme Vijay, your vocabulary is on another level, poetry at its best and good luck in the contest Enjoy your weekend. Tom

Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/3/2023 6:15:00 AM

Much appreciate your kind remarks, Tom. Hope you are recovering fast. Have a wonderful weekend. Many thanks.