I'm spending too much time writing on napkins, this time in a coffee shop. But you can observe people there, including the youth who is obsessing with the thought that he already should have made a mark in life.
Young man with
the tasseled locks
over the pasty face
stirring self-absorbed,
wasting life
at the plastic spoon between
the silken long fingers
in the coffee cup
with the frazzelled failure
of unrealized self-importance.
Don't fret with
what is not yet
in your grasp.
But consider this--
sticks that slide
through the hands,
all smoothed and polished,
are easier to hold
than the rough ones,
still covered with
bark and splinters
that toughen the hands
so thoroughly
for the stone-hard grasp
we must have
to traverse the twisting climb
of this life and the next.
Consider that those
who succeed in this climb,
grip over grip,
hand over hand,
come to realize the futility
of soft-handed arrogance,
that comes too easily,
the terrible fall
of self-pride.
Great message in this poem Jerry. Very much enjoyed it.
Anna
Reviewed by Gianetta Ellis (Reader)
Reviewed on May 24, 2009
Wonderful and wise; if only this youth could read this too! You have a gentle, nurturing way of offering guidance through the wisdom gained from experience. This feels very comforting, very inspirational.
Jerry this is a precise bird's eye view indeed.
Hope someway if not but subliminally the observed could sense your thoughts that can enhance there future.
Many though Jerry got these rough hands from climbing over dead bodies to get where they are, and more so do it everyday, what you accomplish in this life is half as important then that which comes, I have a strong feeling that you might have prejudged that young man, but be it as it may, hard work if that is still the norm, using ones hands to accomplish it, is only struggle of one kind, some struggle using their brains only, and might feel themselves superior, either one would benefit from not getting to uppedy about it.
As always with blessings! Jasmin Horst
Wonderful imagery and I love the message. You need those toughened hands to hold on to life and make it through everything that is thrown at you. Excellent. Liz
The thing I love about your poetry is that your imagery comes alive and allows me to immerse myself in the character's life that you describe...
Some of my favorite things about this poem...the tasseled/frazzled word choice in the first stanza, the meaning, the image of the soft-handed arrogance... the addition of the word silken in that first stanza made the image come alive and carried it throughout the poem.
Thanks for always delighting us with your words. This one is a keeper!
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Regis
well done!
Gina
Anna
of self-pride.
And many have fallen to just that.
Jerry this is a precise bird's eye view indeed.
Hope someway if not but subliminally the observed could sense your thoughts that can enhance there future.
All the best,
Gwendolyn
As always with blessings! Jasmin Horst
Some of my favorite things about this poem...the tasseled/frazzled word choice in the first stanza, the meaning, the image of the soft-handed arrogance... the addition of the word silken in that first stanza made the image come alive and carried it throughout the poem.
Thanks for always delighting us with your words. This one is a keeper!
Cryssa :~)