Merit is where merit’s found,
Nor by convention bound;
Not from the hallowed halls alone,
Nor from the pathways tried and known,
But from the wilderness shall come,
Of odd construction, as think some;
For truth shall tutor such as seek it,
Though their semblance may not speak it,
As with Tesla, passing strange,
Nut to wit, he filled the range;
For, at times, the world must turn
Upon a patent clerk in Bern,
And greatly knowledge had been tardy,
Had Ramanujan had no Hardy.
Merit is where merit’s found:
Be careful, then, to look around.
Be gentle with your self
you’ve been strong and courageous through drama
your troubled heart’s deserving harmony
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: 2nd place 2025, Honorable Mention 2026
Tyranny can start in innocous ways.' In nudges and flattery
Setting a stage.' It can be mocking.? And hectoring' quote
Morality with invective stings' its antidote i am considering? Which may well need to be a charge against
Its political wing.? With no further deliberation i advise..
Overwhelming assinine-ations.' A large dose of their own
Medicine.' Would clear up much; of the mess we are now in.'
Progeny of the people of merit,
May not for sure would inherit merit.
Take fire and sandalwood,
The ash born smells no good,
To wit, O never generalize a bit.
_______________________
Translation |27.01.2025|
Poet’s note: Sanskrit has thousands of verses of wisdom called Subhashhitam. This verse says that the progeny of people of merit may not necessarily inherit the merit. Sandalwood is all fragrant but when burnt along with fire the ash produced is not so fragrant. The transliteration of the Sanskrit verse follows:
Na vyaaptireshaa guninah
gunavaan jaayate dhruvam |
Chandana-anala sandagdhah
na bhasma surabhi kvachit || 203 ||
Man of merit knows merit,
No one else devoid of it.
The mighty knows what might is,
No one else who from fight flees.
Koel knows spring’s worth, not crows,
Tusk lion’s might, mouse ne’er knows.
_________________________
Translation |30.10.2024|merit, cuckoo, crow, spring, lion
Poet’s note: Sanskrit has thousands of verses of wisdom called Subhashhitam. Only a man of merit knows what is merit, a strong man knows what is strength. Cuckoo knows what spring is. Elephant knows lion’s strength, not mouse. The transliteration of the Sanskrit verse follows:
Gunee gunam vetti na vetti nir-gunah,
balee balam vetti na vetti nir-balah |
Pikah vasantasya gunam na vaayasah,
karee cha simhasya balam na mooshhakah ||
Fully-filled pots make little sound,
Half-empty, too noisy are found,
Noble men of knowledge
Show conceit nor raw edge,
The meritless clamour around.
_____________________
Translation |14.10.2024| pot, pride, knowledge, merit
Poet’s note: Sanskrit has thousands of verses of wisdom called Subhashhitam. An empty pot makes too much sound, not the pot full of water. A man of knowledge from a noble family never feels too proud. Only those that lack merit….this ‘words of wisdom’ says. The transliteration of the Sanskrit verse follows:
Sampoorna kumbhah na karoti shabdam,
ardho ghato ghoshham upaiti noonam |
Vidyaa kuleenah na karoti garvam,
gunaih viheenaa bahu jalpayanti ||
My poem "The meek/humble"
THE MEEK
Oh, praise be to the meek and mild,
Whose calm spirit humbly compiled,
A life lived with grace and care,
Deserving of admiration and prayer.
They stand tall without a boast,
Content to be seen as the host,
Of all the peaceful and pure,
A soothing light that forever endures.
Their patience is a welcome sight,
For they choose to embrace what is right,
Guided by that still small voice,
They always make the selfless choice.
The meek are ones who shall inherit,
A place in heaven just like merit,
May we learn from their gentle ways,
And follow in humble steps all our days.
For when we stand with hearts so kind,
The world becomes a better mind,
A place where love and hope take root,
And we can all live,
we can all flourish,
we can all be astute.
Written by: Abdulai kpaka Mansaray.
~~Exceptional merit is easier to achieve
by those who in themselves believe~~
Written July 28, 2022
If one is not selected on merit,
He never deserves any credit
dyke of righteousness
built across our life river -
swells pool of merits.
Second Place in STRAND PICK 7,any theme,any form Poetry Contest sponsored by Brian Strand
Oh these lovely tones in gloaming skies,
I know you feel it too, that warmth...
I'm so content with my second chance
with you...my fears now fleeing.
Let me paint the love reflected in your eyes.
Let me wipe the doubt from yesterday's tears
As we walk together in new hope and let
The end of this pier be our new beginning.
4-19-19
Picture number 3
Sponsor Eve Roper
A-scend
I-nto
N-atural
E-levation
E-xpecting
M-erit
A-nd
R-eward
I-n
E-normous
H-ope
O-nce
M-ind
E-mploys
R-ighteous
E-xcellence
Z-one
Topic: Birthday of Ainee Marie Homerez (December 25)
Form: Vertical Monocrostic
relationship
merit badges
handed out
after each
unspoken
test given
within the
game of
prove that
you care
demerits
given when
the test is not
passed
R-eceive God-given merit,
E-verytime you do His will;
Y-our heart is truly filled with a huge thousand thrill.
J-ust receive God-given merit,
O-n pleasing His holy name;
H-e loves the obedient child,
N-ot the wicked one in shame.
R-eceive God-given merit
E-ach day you remember
Y-our life comes from Him
E-very twenty-seventh
S-eptember.
M-ay you receive God-given merit,
E-arly as you open your eyes;
R-eturning back the glory
E-ven the honor to see the sunrise.
T-ry your best to praise Him for you shall get some credit;
E-arnestly learn to thank Him and receive God-given merit.
The Four Fields Of Merit:
First is Filial Piety
Second the Dharma
Third is Charity
And fourth the Fauna
With Christmas and New Years approaching, I just wanted to remind everyone of the importance of generosity. In Buddhism, there are four fields of merit: Our parents/elders, the Buddha/Sangha/Dharma, the poor and needy, and wildlife/animals. Good acts done in these categories will generate great karma.
So in addition to helping your parents/grandparents, please consider the following good causes in the other three fields of merit:
Animals:
All Creatures ( http://www.all-creatures.org )
Advocacy of protecting animals/list of shelters
Poor:
Unite For Sight ( http://www.uniteforsight.org )
Sight restoring surgeries
Buddha Dharma:
Buddha Educational Foundation ( http://www.budaedu.org/en/ )
Free Dharma materials in many languages
Poem released into Public Domain
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