Home » Poems » Timothy Hicks » You Are Nothing --- As Am I

You Are Nothing --- As Am I

I used to think poetry was about expression (but some it seems would rather make it a competition) I used to think beautiful words were meant to encourage growth, not be used as a pedestal for your ego. But hey What do I know? You're the Master of the Pen in whom we all adore. Your advice is what we savor ... please tell us more! But then again Maybe you shouldn't And just listen for a minute Take a step back and breathe Don't abuse the gift you've been given You ought to delight in the fact that you are NOTHING (as am I) Because everything we write, and dream, is nothing but a gift passing by They don't come because of what you did They come because they come It's nothing glamorous Nothing special It's like the rising of the sun Each circuit is a blessing Out of our control Whether we like it or not So here's what I have to say to the friend we all know Mr. Big Shot You may be Brilliant with a capital B, have words that sing like a friggin' symphony, but have you checked the pulse of your humility? Is it still beating? Still beating? Or is it left in the corner bleeding from your Excalibur Pride. Yeah, you may be the next Emily Dickinson, or Edgar Allan Poe. Have verses that make the minstrels weep, and thoughts so mesmerizing So deep But if your soul ain't pouring on the page - if you write for reasons that are shallow - on your Magnum Opus I'd rather turn the page! (yes, it really happened! I rhymed 'page' with 'page' Shakespeare I know Must be rolling in his grave!) To tell the truth I'd rather turn my attention to the simple; to the ones who leave those subtle ripples on my heart, and on my mind. Whose treasured presence are so personal, it peaks on the edge of the divine. So no I'd really rather not dedicate my time to your perfect metrical rhymes - to your Magnifico Metaphors, your Awesome Alliteration, your Verdant Vocabulary so lush that it's scary! Your whoop-di-do-look-what-I-can-do I'm so clever How 'bout you? If your heart is full of Me, Myself and I To your poetry ... I'd rather say goodbye!

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

Funom Makama

Date: 2/25/2016 9:48:00 AM

There is this unique insurance your works always give my expectations And that satisfaction only builds more castles for my curiosity to thrive, waiting for subsequent results of your talent and thinking.

Timothy Hicks
Date: 2/25/2016 9:15:00 PM

You certainly have a way with words, Funom. But perchance too kind ... if I was a part of your castle, they might hire me as a jester ... LOL! Thanks for your visit, as always.

Susan Gentry

Date: 2/24/2016 2:15:00 AM

I enjoy critiques of what I write because I'm learning, and it feels good when something is liked or if someone really "gets" what I'm trying to say. I do contests the same way, to learn... and I may be a bit competitive in some things, so far not poetry. I'm amazed anyone even reads mine so I'm easy to please. :) In any endeavor socially there is always at least one with the ego. Quite different from experience.

Timothy Hicks
Date: 2/24/2016 9:54:00 PM

Thanks for insightful comment, dear Susan. I write just because it's because who I am ... in hopes to enlighten, entertain and/or educate .... being understood is it's own reward for me. Thanks for stopping by.

Justin Bordner

Date: 2/23/2016 1:39:00 AM

Humility for me is knowing that without love I'd be better off below than above, that talent untethered from the heart is just an arrogant passion that performs for vain applause and not for the betterment of souls. I deeply respect, and adhere to the great moral of this poem Timothy. Goodbye is better than stabbing the heart's eye my friend...J.A.B.

Timothy Hicks
Date: 2/24/2016 12:36:00 AM

Wonderfully stated, my friend. If you can feel something from what I've written, than for me, my goal has been accomplished. If I can inspire, even as I have been inspired, than all the merrier. It's a community, for me ... not rungs on a ladder.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 2/22/2016 10:44:00 AM

I expected to read som great comments and I am not dissapointed Timothy.

Timothy Hicks
Date: 2/22/2016 4:10:00 PM

It seems so!

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 2/22/2016 8:32:00 AM

Hear, Hear, Hear dear Timothy! Excellent writing that deserves my applauds, for what it worth. Whatever we have it is given to us so we have to be grateful and not proud for if we are proud then what will happen to those who were born with disabilities? Should we accuse them for their misfortune? Poet and poetry are Greek words and mean creation and creator. In Greek we call God a Poet! Poetry is the language of harmony, of the universe! Your poem is a masterpiece! A seven, dear Timothy!!

Timothy Hicks
Date: 2/22/2016 4:10:00 PM

Agree with Richard. You spark even further thoughts. Puts it into perspective. And I had no idea bout the Greek words for Poet and Poetry being Creation and Creator ... very fitting! Thanks for the praise (I'll try to not let it get to my head ... LOL!)

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 2/22/2016 10:42:00 AM

I love this response Demetrios, it is a poem within its own right.

Probir Gupta

Date: 2/21/2016 10:15:00 PM

Superb reflections. We all should pause a little and go through this macro in a micro presentation. My plain and simple view: Stimuli for poetry abound in our environment. Neurons in poets dance and even gyrate. Where there is a chemistry with words, poems emanate. Reader's recognition through contests facilitates this creativity. ....paucity of space !....

Timothy Hicks
Date: 2/22/2016 3:56:00 PM

Very much agree with what you say about creativity! An idea is thrown in the air, and everyone grabs hold of it in their own way. Your comments are practically poetry in and of themselves, Probir. Thanks so much for you intelligent comments and time spent reading my work.

Laura Breidenthal

Date: 2/21/2016 10:06:00 PM

Love this, and I was nodding with every word!!!"You may be Brilliant with a capital B, have words that sing like a friggin' symphony, but have you checked the pulse of your humility?" Love that little bit! You've got a unique voice laced with some humor and charm. People need to chill out! Always, Laura

Timothy Hicks
Date: 2/22/2016 3:55:00 PM

Yup. You got it. For me it's a community about encouragement, raising up, and digging deeper. Not a means to beat someone over the head! Thanks for your thoughtful words, dear Laura. Much obliged.

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 2/21/2016 5:59:00 PM

Dear Tim: As I always said a poet can be technically perfect but it doesn't make for good poetry, if there is not that 'something else.' Art is seeing 'unity in variety' and being able to make the connections. Humility is one of the most important ingredients of greatness. Loved always, SuZ

Timothy Hicks
Date: 2/21/2016 8:31:00 PM

Unity in variety. I like that. There must be that soul or personality, before one can write. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your insightful comment.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 2/21/2016 9:47:00 AM

I'll try to be better Timothy! Kidding aside, this is brilliant and well captured. As for me I do enjoy entering contests because the ideas stimulate my imagination. Also by entering the poem is a thank you to the person who came up with the idea. Even if I do not place I am still happy I have a new piece. Now about ego, I think the fact that we post, all of us must admit ego plays a role. We are blessed with ego and it's part of who we are. Fortunately humility can temper it.

Timothy Hicks
Date: 2/21/2016 8:36:00 PM

Thanks for reading and leaving me with things to think about, Richard. Wasn't really against poetry contests, as I've ever entered quite a few of them. Like you, I more-so just like to be inspired and be challenged to write something I normally wouldn't have written. We all probably have a bit of ego going on , there's no denying that. This was more just a word of caution for those that take themselves too seriously.

Len Gasun

Date: 2/21/2016 9:23:00 AM

An excellent piece my dear Timo. I'm so glad to read it tonight. Thank you so much for sharing and for your precious time stopping by on my poem. Got some answers to your questions in my reply box. Hope you'll have time to go back and read. I appreciate your generous feedback coz it made me realize a missing fact. Again, TYTYSM. love lots, GL

Timothy Hicks
Date: 2/21/2016 8:37:00 PM

Thanks Galeo! I'll go check out what you've replied back ... perhaps my notification didn't go through.

Sandra Adams

Date: 2/21/2016 7:18:00 AM

this one speaks to me, i am one of the ones that writes from my emotions and cannot stick within the lines of forms too often! If my emotions don't speak, i cannot write...We are all nobody regardless of where we are, i once did a poem as a project where we had to respond to a famous poets poem, i did emily dickinson and called the poem nobody to nobody! Anyway good write :)

Timothy Hicks
Date: 2/21/2016 8:50:00 PM

Thanks for your insightful comment, and telling me a bit more about the person you are, Sandra. You excel in free-verse, so forms aren't super-necessary ... just whatever is natural. I like to try a little bit of both, but it depends on my mood.

Paul Callus

Date: 2/21/2016 6:36:00 AM

This does not apply just to poetry/writers; everybody in life is endowed with talents that are there to be made use of, otherwise they'll go to waste. Keeping our feet to the ground and learning to excel with humility is a virtue. That is why sharing and learning are important, but not even these must come at a price. ~ Regards // paul

Timothy Hicks
Date: 2/21/2016 8:53:00 PM

Perhaps everyone is talented, just not everyone has the confidence or the means to polish it and let it bloom. Thanks for making me ponder. Egotism (especially when in excess) just drives me up the wall, sometimes!

Lin Lane

Date: 2/21/2016 5:47:00 AM

We're all 'nothing.' However, the ego of some comes in the form of a blindfold. Nicely pointed out, Timothy.

Timothy Hicks
Date: 2/21/2016 8:56:00 PM

Thanks for the insightful comment, Lin.

Tim Smith

Date: 2/21/2016 5:10:00 AM

Yes, I am nothing too. I'm just looking for that subtle ripple myself. Well expressed.

Timothy Hicks
Date: 2/21/2016 8:57:00 PM

Thank you Tim. There are some work that moves, and others that don't ... and sometimes it's hard to explain why! But I'm happy when I do find it :)

Eileen Manassian

Date: 2/21/2016 1:34:00 AM

Oh....Timothy. I was going to write about this....elitists really get under my skin. You have wowed me with this write...absolutely thrilling. I so hope it becomes POTD so all elitists get a read. Hugs...my dear

Timothy Hicks
Date: 2/21/2016 8:59:00 PM

I would say "thank you for the praise" but seeing how the subject is against ego, perhaps I should say something different ... LOL! Seriously though. Thank you. Egotism also drives me up the wall.