Ron, you hit the nail on the money. I 'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who sees this. This work speaks of excellence by an excellent poet. I love it.It makes me think.

Excellence is rare but as long as there are real poets there will be some things worth reading and absorbing into our spirits. Well penned Ron, made me think.

While most people do seem to settle with mediocrity, and remain quite comfortable in it, there are some of us that steer away from it, the reason why I am your fan, Ron.

Your last stanza is perfect Ron. Mediocre certainly does not exist in this or any of your works. Thank you for the unique way you expressed Mediocre. May peace and love be always with you. Jon Michael

Ron,
You certainly are not Mediocre by any means.
This was fantastic as always!

Peace, love and light
Amber

Great points here Ron. I recall sitting under a jet engine turning some wrenches slowly just so the boss would stay off our backs. Then one day I said to myself, "I am sick and tired of being a monkey in the middle mediocre nobody" so I started to get better at what I was doing and soon I was called the "jet engine expert". That day changed my life. Good people will take care of you if you go out of your way. No, it has not always been easy but in the long run it helped me develop an appreciation for others and gave me a caring attitude for others in need. I visit homeless shelters and foster homes regularly. I help out when and where I can. Folks who claim democrats are better than republicans forget Able Lincoln was a republican and FDR was a democrat. Both presidents gave their hearts and souls to this great country. Today if a president trips on a rock it's in the news. So since nobody is a saint they are all labeled bad while in office. They begin to be mediocre because they are afraid to do anything wrong. Most in congress are no different so what are we raising? A group of frozen chosen who try to please everyone and forget where they stand because they change opinions with the wind. That's sad.

" Mediocre," one heard way back when, teachers said it,
parents meant it and we believed it was true...

Always,

Deborah

There are still gems to find Ron...
I've just found one!
Diana....

A sad refrain, indeed - with a lot of very sad truths in this 'modern world' we've now created.

I like this! Thank you for sharing! :)

Again, this is cleverly, witty, meaningful, and also well-expressed. I'm always impressed with the disciplined writing of rhyme and rhythm. Thank you, Ron. Love and peace,

Regis

Congrats on a beautiful poem!

Ron ... Amen my Friend ... Amen !

Mediocrity ,,, thy name is Apathy ...

An uncaring for excellence. Not just in writing, but also in all aspects of life.

Uncaring for Global Warming ... Uncaring for Starving children ... Uncaring for so-called "collateral damage" in all wars ... Uncaring for re-electing corrupt officials ... Uncaring for Disabled Veterans ... Uncaring politicians, especially Congress, and more specifically, Republican "Do Nothings" ... Uncaring for homeless "Street People" ...

and more, More, MORE !

WORST OF ALL, THE APATHY OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC !!!

Yes Ron ... Mediocrity is now ... "Our most important product!"

Peace ... Tom ...

I remember mediocre, that is what my English lit teacher used to say about my stories & I accepted it & coveted his decision...until I got to AD, I never saw so many ratings that were considered to be quite top of the line, as it were...I would be more than happy to receive a mediocre review every now and again...-e-

I want an award for "award wanters"!

Love ya!

Jane

Cream will eventually rise to the top. Authors who love language and seek truth and beaut will be celebrated past their lifetimes, like vintage wines.

I recently attended an awards ceremony at my GD's school, and every kid got an award for something. Anymore, it seems awards are handed out for the most trivial of things, and there's little incentive to strive to be better. When we start awarding mediocrity, mediocrity becomes the norm, and we're the less for it.

Michael D.

Such is NOT the quest of many people, sadly. Keep looking, for "classic" or perhaps a phrase to define it, "spending time with something worth remembering" for with enough of us forging influence on those with "no preference," those of us "with preference" will find some reward. "The great way is easily found for those with no preference."

We all hope of finding such