I used to think I carried too much
I realize now I was the one being carried
I disguised pride as humble undertaking
My faith was weak because it was in me
Today I cried out in tears of joy so fierce it felt angry
That joy was merely the floodgates of recognition
To finally realize all life's blessings carried to me
Like a bread line wrapped around corners of buildings
I have been carried all my life by God
My armor feels made of second chances
My faith has finally toughened despite years of boasting about it
I'm quieter now — this faith is strong but quiet
It sits in my bones behind my new gray hairs
I shall rest now, thanks to faith's many gifts: resilience.
At five, whole world a wondrous gleam,
A bottomless, bright, benign dream,
Each step a secret, shine so bright,
Moments like fleeting sunbeams’ light.
Fifteen years, a smooth shifting tide,
Where fervent feelings faintly hide,
A quest for self, a whispered plea
Of who I am eternally.
Thirty now, the path quite defined,
With purpose clear and heart entwined,
A steady stride, a settled grace,
Carving own dreams in time and space.
At fifty, wisdom starts to bloom,
Dispelling shadows, chasing gloom,
Reflecting past sweet or sour years,
In the span of time, without fears.
At seventy, some desired rest,
Where peace and quietness are blessed,
A life well lived, a journey's end
On loved ones, memories, depend.
Time
So many days of glory have swept by
So many sorrows bring tears to my eye
Memories of glory swell me with pride
On a journey without a compass, what a ride
All the blossoms those days brought forth
And always off course from never knowing true north
All the while the darkness draws near
These memories grow ever more dear
I knew you in the springtime,
when shoots were green
and blossoms a-bloom! Mornings
Rosy pink and Fresh! No tint of gloom.
Our summers hot, fiery--sultry!
Unlike the autumn, spotted, with
scent of the tomb – now winter,
nearer the final page – stupid youth
my preference not wise old sage!
“The Wheel of Fortune” turns
as Kay sang – also the dead are
recycled some faiths believe --
circles upon circles, cycles of
time, history been that, done
that, still is that again and again --
I’ve loved you before, vowed
we eternal, just mouthing “Till Death
Do Us Part”...was it old age or war
our many separations? Is
love better the second time around?
The third, the fourth!? Count life’s
stock certificates, issues of reissues? –
those tears of Rome, of the cross, the washes
of the past are no different from
the floods of today...some do,
some pray...nothing changes!
Hollywood awards its counterfeit
films and compositions – I could
be rich, were I a dishonest mere
study. Imagination far deeper
than an Emmy or Oscar – a new
name means nothing to a recognized
old countenance. “When will they
EVEr Learn?”-- not yet apparently!
A muse, a mist, a lover's kiss,
assists another sage.
He taps his crown, and jots it down,
and scripts another page.
His quill is dipped, and well equipped,
accomplished for his age.
So deft of hand, mature command,
perhaps to earn a wage.
An anxious calm, a tense aplomb,
reactions hard to gauge.
Reviews astound, perhaps he's found,
an exit from this cage.
Twas sought afar, from schools and bars,
he's the topic, he's the rage.
A wisp, a glow, now scripts the show,
of stars from screen and stage.
OF HEARING AND LISTENING
Don’t just hear the words,
Listen and understand them:
Be in awareness:-
“It’s bad not knowing what’s said;”
“Not caring to know is worse.”
Leading a nation is the highest moral responsibility that only wise and temperate men ought to assume.
However, if a fool by trickery or deception succeeds in gaining power, he will soon lead his nation to its doom!
Demetrios Trifiatis
22 September 2026
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*Dear friends, this poem was inspired by Plato's Republic. From my postgraduate studies in philosophy, I know Plato's thoughts. Seeing what is happening in the world today, I recalled his words. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Spending one's time thoughtlessly is like throwing one's life away.
Using one's time constructively will certainly help one win the day.
Demetrios Trifiatis
22 September 2026
Learn from the past whether or not you were there
Of those who dismiss it ~ beware
as man's knowledge abundantly grows … worldwide wisdom further depletes
A whale moves through the clouds—no splash, no wake only its large blue body passing through white meadows of air. A rabbit sits between its shoulder, still as dandelion seed. Neither is surprised by the other’s presence. The whale carries its silent wisdom; the rabbit, its innocence. They travel together beyond roads and maps, where wonder is the order of things.
through drifting cloudbanks
a rabbit rides the whale's back
sky without ending
OF FAITH AND TRIBULATIONS’ FATE
All tribulations
Have their overcomings;
Just, seek God’s guidance:-
If I should die
Before the dawn, overcome
by a morbid scene. Rise up!
My soul – step to the Light!
And the brighter dream heart
Keeps. Caged men may be subjects
Of time, forced to obey and
Bend, but the spirit once freed minds
No such rules, will love where it
Wants~ or offend. So, laid down I may be – cleaned,
Drained and perfumed—beyond then, life’s hurtful
Rhetoric~ nevermore be gloomed.
a hush holds its quiet determination;
a spark slips in as fascination;
a breath gathers slow observation;
a thread forms a soft combination;
a glance offers brief examination.
Wisdom Categories
Definition | What is Wisdom in Poetry?
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.
Related Poetry Forms
sanity, knowledge, intelligence, prudence, poise, experience, understanding, foresight, acumen, caution, savvy, sophistication, judgment, gumption, stability, comprehension, learning, erudition, information, circumspection, sagacity, sapience, discrimination, enlightenment, solidity