There's the Rub

Oh but to rest this mad toiling mind!
Sleep? Nay, to sleep perchance to dream
Dreams. Ay, there lay the problem
How, then, to find solace
Can it be achieved... 
true peace of mind? 
Not in life
but in
death

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020



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

Date: 12/1/2023 10:07:00 AM
Just found this while strolling about the PS pages. Glad I happened on it.
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 2/24/2025 7:04:00 PM
Thank you John :)
Date: 3/27/2021 7:27:00 AM
Probably true, but I am in no rush to achieve that state. ;0)
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 2/24/2025 7:03:00 PM
Lol, we would be of the same mind there Rick.
Date: 3/13/2021 7:07:00 AM
Such is the struggle of true poets, an active mind that never rests but we thank God for the grace of a pen. Nicely portrayed here Flo. Blessing my friend, Carl
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 3/24/2021 10:16:00 AM
Thank you so much Carl. It's always uplifting to hear from you.
Date: 1/13/2021 12:32:00 AM
So many nights I struggle to sleep. Only true peace of mind. Beautiful poem, dear friend. Hugs Eve
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 1/13/2021 2:29:00 PM
Thank you but how are you feeling dear Eve?
Date: 1/5/2021 11:35:00 AM
Counting the minutes till the sandman comes, Lovely Nonet Flo, hugs
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 1/13/2021 2:28:00 PM
Hey Joseph :) Thank you very much.
Date: 1/4/2021 4:37:00 PM
being an insomniac i can relate to this! good nonet, they aren't easy
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 1/5/2021 7:56:00 AM
Thank you Charlotte. We're twins with the insomnia!
Date: 1/4/2021 3:37:00 PM
Excellent nonet, FJ. Janice
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 1/5/2021 7:56:00 AM
Thanks Janice!
Date: 1/2/2021 6:06:00 AM
Great summary of "to be or not to be" clever indeed. always, Laura
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 1/2/2021 2:17:00 PM
Hey Laura! How have you been? Thank you :)
Date: 12/30/2020 4:52:00 AM
I have one of those over active brains myself. Sleeping and dreaming does help to clear the mind for sure but one can visit nature in some form which will help. Choose life. Sara
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 1/2/2021 2:16:00 PM
Nature is always a reprieve :) Thank you Sara
Date: 12/29/2020 10:23:00 PM
I like not to be a total pessimist. I'm sure that at times I do get a peace of mind. But as I grow older I realize death will end al earthly worries..so long as we ave led a righteous life. ~~
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 1/2/2021 2:15:00 PM
I agree Victor :) Thank you.
Date: 12/29/2020 10:56:00 AM
FJ, wonderful write, I do believe that death brings peace, the end of pain for many, the end of worry and torment to a place of peace, I suffer from bad dreams often and just get up and do something until sleepy again(I have been known to do housework in the middle of the night!) I actually get my best sleep on the sofa when I am suppose to be watching TV _Constance
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 1/2/2021 2:15:00 PM
I used to night clean as well :) I think a lifetime of a lack of sleep is catching up with me though; I can no longer just be active while awake. My mind is active but my body drags. Thank you Constance :)
Date: 12/28/2020 12:22:00 AM
Now i truly understand your comment on my 'a thief called time' Your poem a theme that so many of us can relate to. Love the classic touch here too..All the best for the new year...
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 1/2/2021 2:12:00 PM
Ah yes sir :) I do not sleep much; and when I do rest is oft stolen by disturbing dreams. Sooo tired most of the time. Thank you Harry :)
Date: 12/23/2020 5:22:00 PM
and yet death be our pardon, free from this world of tangled webs and lies, could that my hand be put upon to dispel all such things though I have no power I await the final outcome when the dark spirit appears to carry me down the river Styx...Merry Christmas my dear poetic friend
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 12/25/2020 6:11:00 PM
Oh my how very Elizabethan Frederic! And how very happy are we to not actually have to traverse that river! How are you my friend? :)
Date: 12/22/2020 11:44:00 AM
- Dear sister, we are all day flies ... a little dot at a point in the universe - surrounded by the dreams of eternity - "Live each day as if it were the last" and "Look at the day as a gift that you have unexpectedly received" - I wish you and your family a Marry Christmas :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 12/22/2020 1:12:00 PM
Definitely appreciating each day as a gift søster! Thank you Anne-Lise
Date: 12/22/2020 9:47:00 AM
Although we sometimes have difficulty falling asleep now, eternal rest awaits. I like to think our departed loved ones do enjoy peace of mind at the end of their lives. Beautifully penned, FJ. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season! Hugs, Carolyn
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 12/22/2020 1:10:00 PM
Thank you Carolyn :) Hugs right back atcha!
Date: 12/20/2020 6:23:00 PM
Willy is shaking up in Poetry Heaven somewhere. Nicely done! ~ The Thane
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 12/22/2020 8:39:00 AM
Lol thank you dear nobleman for giving me so much time. Stay safe GW!
Date: 12/20/2020 8:25:00 AM
Hi, FJ. I appreciate the reference to Shakespeare. There is no peace in sleep, for dreams are not always pleasant. Only in death, when we are conscience of nothing is there true peace.
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
FJ Thomas
Date: 12/20/2020 10:50:00 AM
Exactly Jenna :) No pain, no suffering, no worrying about loved ones still living in a terrible world... nothing. Thank you ;°)
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter
Hide Ad