As an old strategy dictates,
‘By losing that pawn,
One wins the whole game.’
It is the Old School
And ancient culture of men
Who knew life to a certainty,
For what it was worth and
Did not strive for the illusive.
Taking a step backward,
They found happiness nestling
In their own hands;
They flayed their hopes and desires
By making a final understanding
That happiness was totally fictitious
And gave up the quest for it, at all.
Today one’s personal qualities
Have an organic unity,
Which finds its explanation
In a type of social environment
And spiritual groundwork,
That nourishes them
Until the mellowness occurs.
To make one’s mellowness occur
Is an unremitting toil when men,
Almost strangle themselves to death,
Ride the hot race of authorities
And pursuit of an imagined bluebird.
We strive for happiness which is fleeting and hard to define. Most feel happiness can be achieved through wealth, but I believe it's a state of mind. A mindset that I'm incapable of attaining.
The "illusive" indeed. Today, far too much of life around us is in pursuit of that which creates but momentary reality, some rewarding, some disappointing, yet all seemingly preferring immediate gratification even when it is apparent that there is more for the patient mind and heart to learn and enjoy. Wonderful metaphor here, Alex. Fully appreciated.
Never mind that "imagined bluebird", and I do love your use of that, the maddening world today is enough to stress anyone out who chase it! Quadruple Bypass. We all need to take that "step backward" at times and find our "mellowness".....I love that word!
While Debtors prisons no longer exist, many people continue to be persecuted for crimes related to poverty or inability to repay money owed to municipalities. This practice remains in an injustice that needs to be rectified.
Love ya!
Jane
Sandie
PS: Great picture by the way.