Wisdom

I cannot say that I’ve grown wise through all my passing years. Yet one can surely win apprise with open eyes and ears. I see ego garbed as majesty blurting nonsense called opinion and hapless pawns of travesty, misled by such dominion. Then pride, that common drivel, pours like rain into my ears. Heralding the frivol— playing on my fears. Wise and precious minds soar higher than the rest. Overlooked, disparaged and maligned, shame they’re oft suppressed. By wise enthralled and fools appalled, these two of diverse kind. How is it then they’ll be recalled? By what they leave behind.

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Kelly Deschler

Date: 4/6/2017 8:03:00 PM

Often times in life the fool ends up being the one who was underestimating the precious minded... Your perfectly rhymed quatrain leaves behind much to think about. Very, very well written, Mark!

Mark Peterson
Date: 4/6/2017 11:10:00 PM

Your comment is replete with your particularly acute sagacity, Kelly. In fact, I think if yours were the only response received to any of my poems, I would be awash in consummate delight.

Scott Thirtyseven

Date: 4/1/2017 8:29:00 AM

So slick and easy on the eyes. So sharp and engaging of the mind. Nice.

Mark Peterson
Date: 4/3/2017 5:28:00 AM

What a lovely comment for one of my poems--one of the nicest ever.

S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri

Date: 1/30/2017 11:19:00 PM

"Wise and precious minds soar higher than the rest. Overlooked, disparaged and maligned, shame they’re oft suppressed", wow how true and clever. Awesome poem here in enviably superb flow and rhyming. Your phrasing artsy and elegant as well, 'ego garbed as majesty' touches on the human condition. Kudos eminent poet. Nice to read from your pen again , I hope u will too my latest. And hapy new yr.

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/30/2017 11:24:00 PM

Thanks my dear friend for your lovely and humbling comments. These are what makes possible my continuing work, for I do not think of myself as anything but ordinary compared with the magnificent talent found elsewhere on the Soup, including your own.

Eileen Manassian

Date: 1/24/2017 2:25:00 PM

Such words can only come from a man of wisdom, dear. :) Lovely poem. Good to read...Hugs

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/29/2017 5:58:00 PM

Thank you, dearest Eileen. Your precious words mean a lot. No wisdom required to realize that.

Daver Austin

Date: 1/22/2017 9:14:00 AM

"By wise enthralled and fools appalled." Right on! Nice to read someone who has something to say relevant to our times. Enjoyed this one by a fine poet. daver

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/29/2017 6:04:00 PM

Poetry makes all our voices a little louder, doesn't. Even so, a poet's whisper endures far longer than a despot's rant. Thanks for commenting, Daver.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/21/2017 9:24:00 PM

the ending on this is awesome. By what they've left behind. I love that!!

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/29/2017 6:15:00 PM

The words of some are illustrative of error while poets' rhymes are like promises and prayers. Thank you for supporting my poetry, Andrea. Your words are precious.

Jan Allison

Date: 1/21/2017 6:17:00 PM

Such an entertaining write, you are a wise man indeed Mark ... I guess I'll just leave behind a mountain of poop poetry lol:-) hugs Jan xx7

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/21/2017 8:29:00 PM

Jan, your poetry is precious to me, as are your kind remarks on my work without which I would be unable to continue, lacking confidence in my verbiage.

Chuck Melugin

Date: 1/21/2017 10:18:00 AM

Mark, Wisdom, more precious than rubies--Your words soar above also! 7 My best to you, chuck

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/22/2017 11:05:00 PM

It was my hope that this message would get through. Thanks so much for this comment, which keeps me going. Otherwise, I lack the confidence to continue.

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/21/2017 6:15:00 PM

Chuck, much appreciation to you for your visit and remarkably uplifting words. I'm seldom confident about my poetry, so good friends with cheering remarks are always helpful and sustain me.

Paul Callus

Date: 1/21/2017 7:37:00 AM

I can assure you, Mark, that you have not wasted your years, and life's experiences have made you wiser! I would be happy to be remembered for a little bit of good than for being proud and egoistic! Regards // paul

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/21/2017 8:27:00 PM

Thanks for your reassuring remarks, dear friend, without which I would be unable to sustain work. Indeed, you'll remain in memory, and your pen will continue its work no matter what.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 1/20/2017 10:20:00 PM

Ha ha, this was a blast to read. Introspective and entertaining.:0) A worthy 7.

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/20/2017 10:57:00 PM

Thanks, Richard! Hadn't thought I could ever introspective and entertaining. Nice enough that I could be either.

John Fleming

Date: 1/20/2017 11:31:00 AM

Fantastic poem - Fantastic wisdom! Really enjoyed this one, Mark. All the best - Cheers! :) john

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/20/2017 11:19:00 PM

Erased my comment by mistake. Your positive comment gave me confidence and saved my poetic life, which I was about to give up. Can't thank you enough.

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 1/10/2017 6:46:00 PM

Mark, I think about that every time I hear a quote from a poet. Poets from ages ago still have their words repeated and it gives me hope. Not that I am comparing myself, but if my family and friends alone remember me by my words then it will all be worth any time expended. I enjoyed your poem very much. I hope this will be a wonderful year for you. Blessings, Connie ; )

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/10/2017 7:42:00 PM

Connie, thanks so much for commenting. We impact the lives of others by what we say and do. To fall asleep knowing that the world is a better place for our having been alive—whether for poetry or some other reason—is sufficient justification for the air one displaces from moment to moment. You have done well in this regard.