Failsafe is Self Delusion
Deny temptations of soft ride,
ease superficial, risks unquantified,
choosing “safe way”, straight road comfort fed,
idea[l]s mediocre are poor guide,
deride free choice, autonomy, self pride, -
exchanging fad, conformity, for bread.
Despise stop-gap solutions qualified
everywhere as failsafe when, allied,
complacency and status found in bed,
incestuous are chosen for free ride,
denigrating options for scope wide,
endure more than participate, choice dread.
Dreams sacrificed to mirage fears short-sighted
turn self-prophetic, lead to future blighted.
(c) Jonathan Robin
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Decide Against Stereotypes - 1294 - Current Version
Decisions take, nor hesitate nor bide
Excessive time awaiting from outside
Comprehensive answers coveted.
Independant mind must coincide
Directly with the will to win, not hide.
Existence is too short - life soon is fled.
Decades dovetail to centuries beside
Entrapped spectators, waiting on the side,
Challenge refusing, witless walking dead
In fear of fear, refusing to decide.
Dare! Few remain who answers seek inside
Earth's soul? Most stillborn seem brief hour sped!
Distrust that moment Fortune's tide
Entwines ambitious greed, feeds fears inside,
Cause, Effect confuses, Fate's fickle thread
Identified as true cue. Conformist thread
Dark homage pays 'authority'. Most slide,
Endure life's strife stings, by siren songs misled.
Dissipation seldom may provide
Exit gratifying, - seems as suicide
Counter-intuitive conformity, instead
Is chosen to 'gain time'. Disqualified,
Double-bind conformist blind would wed
Empty acceptation's altar, all trust fled.
Desires down-graded, dreams by self denied,
Elicit slight pity, sagacity short-supplied.
Care take avoiding firewall State hosted,
Internet providers' censorship decried
Deals stereotype behaviour blow wicked,
Expel ranks serried, round-hole pegs deride.
Dissatisfaction offers gloomy glide,
Expectations suffer, priorities collide.
Comfort zone, lost, counts cost, bewails with dread
Intensive pressures as horizons wide
Disintegrate, bemoans bad luck denied
Expressions of free will, dice loaded lead.
Dreams frequently minority divide
Essentially from crowd whose hands are tied.
Conspicuously by inaction. Look ahead!
Inner clarity, options authentified,
Draws upon convictions tested, tried.
Equity sifts sure leader from lure led.
Dare, dare not, often men from men divide
Ever as the masses, mystified,
Criss-cross zigzag, numb, dumb, scope gainsaid,
Initiatives restrained, fence sitting, cut and dried
Decisions drained, unblessed by wisdom wide.
Efforts, unrewarded, rot instead.
Deny temptations of soft ride,
Ease superficial, risks unquantified,
Choosing 'safe way', straight road comfort fed,
Ideals mediocre prove poor guide,
Deride free choice, autonomy, self pride,
Embrace conformity, exchanged for bread.
Division equals crime unjustified.
Equation lose/lose, efforts time denied,
Creates conditions delicate, contested.
Input focussed fairly, fortified,
Defies both wishful-thinking, unjust pride,
Excessive pseudo strength, defeated, ousted
Disqualify dud deals unjustified,
Emotions sapped, surfing life's watershed
Cutting communication, compassion shed.
Isolate self-censorship, convinced truth lied,
Drops principles, truth, trust, strips bona fide
Emancipation, high ideals stops dead.
Dimmed vim, responsibilities most chide,
Endure more than participate, they dread
Conscious freedom's fountainhead,
Innate birthright inhibiting beside
Doubts self born, stay torn, dare not provide
Emotional integrity board, bed.
Despise stop-gap solutions qualified
Everywhere as failsafe when, allied,
Complacency and status found in bed,
Incestuous are chosen for free ride,
Denigrating independence wide,
Endure more than participate, choice dread.
Deft deeds one needs, advancing from inside,
Excluding bias, crimes unrectified,
Challenge compromise, leave naught unsaid.
Identify the many ways your stride
Distinguished is from superficial slide
Each day by those behind, through putting self ahead!
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Decide! - 1294 - Initial Version
Dreams often the minority divide
Essentially from masses mystified.
Champion truth not falsehood, for ahead
Is clarity, options authentified,
Draw down from experience allied
E'er with convictions leader sifts from led.
Dreams too too often man from man divide
Ever as the crowd, preoccupied,
Criss-cross zigzags, some dumb stay, hope fled,
Initiatives restrained, life bled, cut and dried,
Drained by false fears, unblessed by wisdom wide,
Expectations high deny instead.
Deny temptations of soft ride,
Ease superficial, risks unquantified,
Chooses 'safe way', straight road comfort fed,
Ideas second rate accepts as guide,
Derides free choice, autonomy, self pride,
Exchanging fad conformity for bread.
Distrust that moment Fortune's tide
Entwines ambitions in its fickle thread,
Cause, Effect confuses as Fate's tread
Is feared by those to blind convention wed,
Dark homage pay 'authority'' to glide
Empty through life, by siren songs misled.
Disqualified whose deeds unjustified
Emotions undermine, who have gainsaid
Communication, dialogue have shed
Isolated self from ethics, lied,
Dropped principles and trust, stripped bona fide
Emancipation, high ideals stopped dead.
Dim, most responsibility do, chide
Endure more than participate, and dread
Conscious freedom's fountainhead,
Inhibit their own birthright, squat beside
Doubts self born, stay torn, dare not provide
Emotions true to surf life's watershed.
Decades dovetail to centuries beside
Entrapped spectators, waiting on the side,
Challenge refusing, witless walking dead!
In fear of fear, refusing to decide.
Dare! Who is there their answers seek inside
Earth's soul? Most stillborn seem their hour sped!
Decisions take, don't hesitate or bide
Excessive time awaiting from outside
Comprehensive answers coveted.
Independant mind must coincide
Directly with the will to win, not hide.
Existence is too short - life soon is sped.
Deeds Mankind needs, advancing from inside,
Excluding bias, crimes unrectified,
Creating bridges, leaving naught unsaid.
Identify the different ways your stride
Divides from those who, superficial, slide
Each day, - those most behind putting self ahead!
(10 September 2005)
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Decide against Stereotypes - 1294 - 2007 Version
Dreams often the minority divide
E ssentially from masses mystified.
C hampion truth not falsehood, for ahead
I s clarity, options authentified,
D raw down from experience allied,
E ver convictions leader sifts from led.
Dread far too often men from men divide
E ver as the crowd, preoccupied,
C riss-cross zigzags, some dumb stay, hope fled,
I nitiatives restrained, life bled, cut and dried,
D rained by false fears, unblessed by wisdom wide,
E xpectations high deny instead.
Deny temptations of soft ride.
E ase superficial, risks unquantified,
C hooses 'safe way', straight road comfort fed,
I deas second rate accepts as guide,
D erides free choice, autonomy, self pride, -
E xchanging fad, conformity, for bread.
D istrust that moment Fortune's tide
E ntwines ambitions in its fickle thread,
C ause, Effect confuses as Fate's tread
I s feared by those to blind convention wed,
D ark homage pay ‘authority' to glide
E mpty through life, by siren songs misled.
Disqualified whose deeds, unjustified,
E motions undermine, who have gainsaid
C ommunication, dialogue have shed,
I solated self from ethics, lied,
D ropped principles and trust, stripped bona fide
E mancipation, high ideals stopped dead.
Dim, most, responsibility do chide,
E ndure more than participate, and dread
C onscious freedom's fountainhead,
I nhibit their own birthright, squat beside
D oubts self born, stay torn, dare not provide
E motions true to surf life's watershed.
Decades dovetail to centuries beside
E ntrapped spectators, waiting on the side,
C hallenge refusing, - witless walking dead! -
I n fear of fear, refusing to decide.
D are! Who is there their answers seek inside
E arth's soul? Most stillborn seem their hour sped!
Decisions take, don't hesitate or bide
E xcessive time awaiting from outside
C omprehensive answers coveted.
I ndependant mind must coincide
D irectly with the will to win, not hide.
E xistence is too short - life soon is sped.
Deeds Mankind needs, advancing from inside,
E xcluding bias, crimes unrectified,
C reating bridges, leaving naught unsaid.
I dentify the different ways your stride
D ivides from those who, superficial, slide
E ach day, those most behind through putting self ahead!
(1 July 2007)
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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His Place is Precious - 0189 - Initial Version
Turn from temptations of soft ride
along straight road of safety, comfort, ease, well fed,
where peace eternal, free from pride,
appeals, - appears an easy answer when all's said!
Distrust that moment when the tide
of Fortune, at the flood, entwines in fickle thread,
enticing, sickled Time at side,
man with her siren song: by lust, ambitions, led.
The silent seconds greedy glide:
dovetail decades to centuries for waiting dead,
so few of whom dared seek inside
earth's secret soul. Seemed stillborn when their hour was sped.
Whate'er the reasons that decide
the insolence of the individual; bled
by fears, or blessed by wisdom wide,
or, hope denied, twisting in heat fond heart or head,
his place is precious. Don't deride
the diff'rences that oft divide his awkward tread
from those who, superficial, slide
through life, those most behind who think themselves ahead!
(10 October 1981)
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Individual Insolence
Spendthrift, swift second thoughts so greedy glide,
dovetail decades to centuries for waiting dead,
so few of whom dare seek inside
true soul; seed weeded, cower stillborn once hour’s sped.
Who falter, hesitate, or hide,
issues undermine, gratuitously misread,
dodge deadlines, ostrich imitate, divide
themselves from future freedom: futile chicken-head.
Priorities with force collide
with weal’s wheels steel inlaid, braid geometric tread
when feelings, mind, can’t co-incide.
Run coach and horses through approach to safety wed.
Turn from temptations of soft ride
along straight road of safety, comfort, ease, well fed,
that shutters, clutter free, outside;
walls off, denies, discomfort, challenge, when all’s said.
When oligarchies petrified
pay off panhandling populace with circus bread,
repression’s often found allied
with intolerance, oversight unbiased shed.
Voice stifled, choice requalified
by hierarchies restrictive, equity ousted,
iconoclasts disqualified.
Monopolistic int’rests top/down hammerhead
humanity, termed thorn in side.
Justice is often misapplied by state control ghost hosted.
Distrust that moment when the tide
of Fortune, at the flood, entwines in fickle thread,
enticing - sickled Time at side -
man with her siren song: by lust, ambitions, led.
Beware all those who’d hitch their ride,
queue jump at the expense of others, snatch board, bed,
by selfishness unjustified
stirred, careless of accounts to render overhead.
Whate’er the reasons that decide
the insolence of the individual; - bled
by fears, or blessed by wisdom wide,
or, hope denied, twisting in heat fond heart or head,
his place is precious. Don’t deride
the diff’rences that oft divide his awkward tread
from those who, superficial, slide
through life, - those most behind who think themselves ahead!
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Individual Insolence - His P[l]ace is Precious - 0189 - Current Version
Spendthrift, swift second thoughts so greedy glide,
dovetail decades to centuries for waiting dead,
so few of whom dare seek inside
true soul; seed weeded, cower stillborn once hour's sped.
Who falter, hesitate, or hide,
issues undermine, gratuitously misread,
dodge deadlines, ostrich imitate, divide
themselves from future freedom: futile chicken-head.
Priorities with force collide
with weal's wheels steel inlaid, braid geometric tread
when feelings, mind, can't co-incide.
Run coach and horses through approach to safety wed.
Turn from temptations of soft ride
along straight road of safety, comfort, ease, well fed,
that shutters, clutter free, outside;
walls off, denies, discomfort, challenge, when all's said.
When oligarchies petrified
pay off panhandling populace with circus bread,
repression's often found allied
with intolerance, oversight unbiased shed.
Voice stifled, choice requalified
by hierarchies restrictive, equity ousted,
iconoclasts disqualified.
Monopolistic int'rests top/down hammerhead
humanity, termed thorn in side.
Justice is often misapplied by state control ghost hosted.
Distrust that moment when the tide
of Fortune, at the flood, entwines in fickle thread,
enticing, sickled Time at side,
man with her siren song: by lust, ambitions, led.
Beware all those who'd hitch their ride,
queue jump at the expense of others, snatch board, bed,
by selfishness unjustified
stirred, careless of accounts to render overhead.
Whate'er the reasons that decide
the insolence of the individual; bled
by fears, or blessed by wisdom wide,
or, hope denied, twisting in heat fond heart or head,
his place is precious. Don't deride
the diff'rences that oft divide his awkward tread
from those who, superficial, slide
through life, - those most behind who think themselves ahead!
(4 October 2009)
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Ride My See-saw
Ride, ride my see-saw,
Take this place
On this trip
Just for me.
Ride, take a free ride,
Take my place
Have my seat
Its for free.
I worked like a slave for years,
Sweat so hard just to end my fears.
Not to end my life a poor man,
But by now, I know I should have run.
Run, run my last race,
Take my place
Have this number
Of mine.
Run, run like a fire,
Dont you run in
In the lanes
Run for time.
Left school with a first class pass,
Started work but as second class.
School taught one and one is two.
But right now, that answer just aint true.
Ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah ah
My world is spinning around,
Everything is lost that I found.
People run, come ride with me,
Lets find another place thats free.
Ride, ride my see-saw,
Take this place
On this trip
Just for me.
Ride, take a free ride,
Take my place
Have my seat
Its for free.
Ride, my see-saw.
Ride, ride, ride, my see-saw.
Ride, my see-saw...
song performed by by Moody Blues
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Through the Metidja to Abd-El-Kadr
I
As I ride, as I ride,
With a full heart for my guide,
So its tide rocks my side,
As I ride, as I ride,
That, as I were double-eyed,
He, in whom our Tribes confide,
Is descried, ways untried
As I ride, as I ride.
II.
As I ride, as I ride
To our Chief and his Allied,
Who dares chide my heart's pride
As I ride, as I ride?
Or are witnesses denied—
Through the desert waste and wide
Do I glide unespied
As I ride, as I ride?
III.
As I ride, as I ride,
When an inner voice has cried,
The sands slide, nor abide
(As I ride, as I ride)
O'er each visioned homicide
That came vaunting (has he lied?)
To reside—where he died,
As I ride, as I ride.
IV.
As I ride, as I ride,
Ne'er has spur my swift horse plied,
Yet his hide, streaked and pied,
As I ride, as I ride,
Shows where sweat has sprung and dried,
—Zebra-footed, ostrich-thighed—
How has vied stride with stride
As I ride, as I ride!
V.
As I ride, as I ride,
Could I loose what Fate has tied,
Ere I pried, she should hide
(As I ride, as I ride)
All that's meant me—satisfied
When the Prophet and the Bride
Stop veins I'd have subside
As I ride, as I ride!
poem by Robert Browning from Cavalier Tunes (1842)
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Choice Voice
Ideas, ideals, freethinking underlined,
no negligence can know whenever they
allow free range where spirit well designed
marks space to catalyse choice chance which may -
if choice is choice not circumstance designed -
new windows open through which interplay
another to another insight wind,
make constant progress, interwoven play.
Infinite voice, choice opportunities
new ground may break, stake scope, whole soul hope frees.
(17 February 2012)
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Deux Routes: des routes et des déroutes
DEUX ROUTES
Two roads appear here, one to errors past
Will lead whatever speed her journey takes
Open options t'other, old mistakes
Role reversed through interaction fast
Offering fair freedom to forecast
Active advance freewill in conscience makes.
Destiny must favour mind which wakes
Sensitive to others, self, at last
Allowing future fortunate, feast fast
With welcome banquet may replace. Hope breaks
All walls as palls are lifted, bread AND cakes
Ideal on menu offer fine repast.
The choice: rejoice/refuse luck's olive sprig,
EDge lose or choose free voice, joy's whirligig.
Acrostic Sonnet TWO ROADS AWAITED
10 January 2009
robi03_1838_robi03_0000 ASX_EJK
notes
French Title Translation:
Two options - on roads and on defeats
bread AND cakes: See Marie Antoinette when informed that the people were revolting, demanding bread because of starvation she replied: 'Let them eat cake'
Deux Routes: des routes ou des déroutes poem © Jonathan Robin
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Ride The Sky
Much too long Ive been a prisoner here
The hour has come to break out
Shackled and chained almost goin insane
Its better to live on the run
Set me free, set me free
Send me a sign, wanna leave it all behind
Ill be leaving the hands of doom
Rearrange the master plan, take the future in my hands
To be free and not trapped anymore
Chorus ride the sky, ride the sky
Give me wings to fly, ride the sky
I have to think for myself and then act
In conformity of my own thoughts
No one should tell me whats wrong and whats right
Why dont you leave me alone
Set me free, set me free
Chorus
Chorus
song performed by by Helloween
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Stranger in Strange Crowd
STRANGER IN STRANGE CROWD
Dreams stranger’s path divide
from crowd’s uneven t[h]read
who's tissue, issues poorly understood, through dread
is left behind, swirls second rate as flotsam on life's tide,
noise windmills, senses silent, life-blood sped,
bled white, so often fearing fear, by wisdom wide,
unblessed, unsteady set sights low instead.
Despite stress, sentiments denied, imagination set aside,
stranger story stores till head heeds heart, until desires well led
fire understanding rich allied with empathy sustaining ride.
Swift Pegasus is supplied
with neither saddle, A to Zed accoutrements life tears to shreds
when vested interests, motives pure collide.
Defy temptations of soft ride
along straight road which, comfort fed,
selects ‘safe way’, too often dreads
free choice, autonomy. Self-pride
corresponds to quest for bread.
Distrust that moment Fortune’s tide
entwines in fickle thread
conformity, convention wed.
Scorn empty homage, those who glide
through vain p[l]ain life, misled.
Survival instinct, safe homestead, a ‘living wage’, priorities
appear, as opportunities to seize as each spins finite set
tripped, snipped, then ripped by Norms with ease.
Far from madding crowd who dares assign
himself true rôle in life, who thinks,
who sifts chaff, grain, drains lees from wine, palms pearls from swine?
Who, intact, acts and interacts, discerning fiction, facts,
opposes expedience, authority which hoodwinks
manipulated herd unheard, which lacks
true overview impartial, thus reacts
rather than responds, its armour: chinks.
On each new generation weigh rigid systems spawned by Fate unkind.
As pawns most men play puppet parts in Time’s relay game of tiddly-winks.
Is search for self through mirrored minds
just base reflection on sight lost?
Insisting on base ‘skills’ man finds
intuitions atrophy - cost
greater than he thinks.
We must rethink, must redefine
reference frames most use today,
foresee the patterns Change will sign
as chance advances sans delay,
prints the future’s inks.
Stranger in crowd learns to disguise
rainbow to grey coats' pinstripe ways of thought,
'won't look too good nor talk too wise',
yet still attracts attention, caught
by paradox or kinks.
Stranger in crowd in any guise
knows his goal’s not what others taught,
retains ability surprise - not what they thought
[s]he thought they thought they sought.
Reward: solitude's sinks.
Learning is a process which reminds
of staged cocoon to chrysalid
endlessly repeated until hope's blinds
are drawn, we're hid, nailed neath yoke coffin lid,
‘and Lethewards do sink.’
Restraints of social intercourse
pass through a metamorphosis
soon held acceptable divorce
none dare dismiss
between who sips, who drinks
Pierian spring whose sprays revitalize
the search for source.
New challenges set minds ablaze,
speed rate man needs to change his course,
as once wild world shrinks.
It is difficult to integrate
progress, change, to leave behind
tenets once held inviolate –
the stays and props once used to bind
Earth to its own s[t]inks.
When man from monkey split, force fields
lost ground to sleight of hand although
as last recourse they’re held to shield.
Yet Information Age remoulds
our clay as on the brink
of sensing other ways to play
life’s game exist outside strife the past
epitomized, seek interplay
between odd intuitions cast
off once as missing links.
Banished be those whose actions snide emotions undermine, gainsaid
have equity and ethics shed, dropped principles, stopped bona fide
voice for free choice ahead.
Responsibilities most dread, endure more than participate,
ignore past’s lessons future spread, surrender birthright, hopes berate,
fear future watershed.
Self-born doubt, consistent scorn, provide a fertile breeding ground for fear
of validation, absent guide. Most tremble, fearing onward ride unclear,
paralysis abed.
Decades dovetail as wa[l]king dead
observing others from the side,
halt, hesitate from birth to bed,
stagnate, refusing to decide,
seem stillborn their sands sped.
Man needs advancement from inside,
excluding bias, stranger's stride
divides from superficial slide,
a different tread would thread
through life, aims flame horizons wide.
Open mind must never be denied.
Shun those whose lower standards, led
through mirage mind-sets lined with lead,
to think themselves ahead!
P.S. Persto et Praesto...
Stranger in Strange Land must learn to grock
between appearances, nor spurn, nor lock,
but key into essentials, yet stay free
as world awakens to its Future Shock.
Here high I.Q. or gift of second sight
fail in the scales however smart or bright,
if peace of mind, serenity, few find
to burnish daily bind with inner light.
Yet inner light is what Life's all about.
Who cares a curse for economic clout
as purse may fail but heart which true to self
remains, for cash cares little, conquers doubt.
27 September 1996,19 March 2005,16 December 2006 12 September 2008
robi03_1089_robi03_0000 XXX_EJX
for previous version see below
Stranger in Strange Crowd
Dreams stranger’s path divide
from crowd’s uneven t[h]read.
Second rate, silent, life-blood bled,
most fear, unblessed by wisdom wide,
set sights low instead.
Despite stress, thoughts unreplied,
imagination set aside,
stranger story stores till head
heeds heart, until desires well lead,
fire empathy allied
with understanding rich to ride
upon swift Pegasus supplied
with neither saddle, A to Zed
accoutrements life tears to shreds
when motives collide.
Defy temptations of soft ride,
along straight road which, comfort fed,
selects ‘safe way’, too often dreads
free choice, autonomy, - self-pride
reflecting quest for bread.
Distrust that moment Fortune’s tide
entwines in fickle thread
conformity, convention wed,
pays empty homage just to glide
through vain p[l]ain life, misled.
Survival instinct, safe homestead,
a ‘living wage’ priorities
appear, as opportunities
to seize as each spins finite set
cut by the Norms with ease.
Far from madding crowd who dares assign
himself true rôle in life, who thinks,
who sifts chaff, grain, drains lees from wine,
palms pearls from swine, spurns authority
politic which hoodwinks
manipulated masses blind.
Upon each generation weigh,
rigid systems spawned by Fate unkind,
pawns play puppet parts in Time’s relay
game of tiddly-winks.
Is search for self through mirrored minds
only reflection on sight lost?
Insisting on base ‘skills’ man finds
intuitions atrophy - cost
greater than he thinks.
We must rethink, must redefine
reference frames most use today,
foresee the patterns Change will sign
as chance advances sans delay,
prints the future’s inks.
Stranger in crowd learns to disguise
rainbow to grey coats' pinstripe ways of thought,
'won't look too good nor talk too wise'
yet still attracts attention, caught
by paradox or kinks.
Stranger in crowd in any guise
knows his goal’s not what others taught,
retains ability surprise -
not what they thought [s]he thought they thought they sought, -
exits solitude's sinks.
Learning’s a process which reminds
of staged cocoon to chrysalid
endlessly repeated till blinds
drawn, we are hid ‘neath coffin lid,
‘and Lethewards do sink.’
Restraints of social intercourse
pass through a metamorphosis
soon held acceptable divorce
none dare dismiss
between who sips, who drinks
deep knowledge spring whose sprays
revitalize the search for source.
New challenges set minds ablaze,
speed rate man needs to change his course,
as once wild world shrinks.
Its difficult to integrate
evolutions which leave behind
tenets once held inviolate –
the stays and props once used to bind
Earth to its own s[t]inks.
When man from monkey split, force fields
lost ground to sleight of hand although
as last recourse they’re held to shield.
Yet Information Age remoulds
our clay as on the brink
of sensing other ways to play
life’s game exist outside strife the past
epitomized, seek interplay
between odd intuitions cast
off once as missing links.
Banished be those whose actions snide
emotions undermine, gainsaid
have equity and ethics shed,
dropped principles, stopped bona fide
voice for choice ahead.
Responsibilities most dread,
endure more than participate,
surrender birthright, hopes berate,
ignore past’s lessons future spread
as watershed.
Self-born doubt, consistent scorn, provide
a fertile breeding ground for fear,
men squat beside an onward ride unclear
of validation, which can’t guide,
Decades dovetail as wa[l]king dead -
observing others from the side,
stagnate, refusing to decide.
Most hesitate from birth to bed
seem stillborn their sands sped
Man needs advancement from inside,
excluding bias, - stranger's stride
divides from superficial slide
a different tread would thread
through life, horizons wide
aims at, will not be denied
like those whose lowered standards led,
through mirage mind-sets lined with lead,
to think themselves ahead!
P.S. Persto et Praesto...
Stranger in Strange Land must learn to grock
between appearances, nor spurn, nor lock,
but key into essentials, yet stay free
as world awakens to its Future Shock.
Here high I.Q. or gift of second sight
fail in the scales however smart or bright,
if peace of mind, serenity, none find
to burnish daily bind with inner light.
Yet inner light is what Life's all about.
Who cares a curse for economic clout
as purse may fail but heart which true to self
remains, for cash cares little, conquers doubt.
27 September 1996,19 March 2005,16 December 2006 see below ‘Search’ initial and alternate version of this poem and ‘His Place is Precious’
Search
Is the search for self through mirrored minds
only a reflection on sight lost?
Concentrating on base ‘skills’ man finds
intuitions atrophy - the cost
is greater than he thinks.
Man must think again, must redefine
the frames of reference most still use today,
anticipating patterns Change will sign
as chance advancements which won’t brook delay,
to print the future’s inks.
Far from the madding crowd who can assign
himself a goal in life, true rôle to play?
Who can sift chaff from grain, drain lees from wine,
palm pearls from swine, avoiding interplay
politic which hoodwinks
the masses whose manipulation blind
hard on each generation’s hopes does weigh,
as if all pawns were, spawned by Fate unkind
to play pale puppet parts in Time’s relay
game of tiddly-winks.
Learning is a process which reminds
one of stages - cocoon to chrysalid -
endlessly repeated till the blinds
are drawn, until we’re nailed beneath a lid,
‘and Lethewards do sink.’
Yet the restraints of social intercourse
are passing through a metamorphosis
which soon shall be accepted as divorce
that no-one will be able to dismiss
between who sips, who drinks
deep the spring of knowledge whose fair sprays
revitalize the system’s search for source.
Today new magic sets the mind ablaze!
The speed at which mankind is changing course,
as the once wild world shrinks,
is difficult to integrate, the ways
conceptions will evolve and leave behind
tenets once inviolate, the stays
and props the passing age employs to bind
itself to its own stinks.
When man and monkeys’ trees split, fields of force
lost ground to sleight of hand from day to day,
although the former shield stayed, last recourse.
Yet as the information age remoulds our clay
it seems we’re on the brink
Of consciousness of other ways to play
the game of life outside that strife the past
epitomized, exploring interplay
between internal motivations cast
off once as missing links!
27 September 1996
His Place is Precious
Turn from temptations of soft ride
along straight road of safety, comfort, ease, well fed,
where peace eternal, free from pride,
appeals, - appears an easy answer when all’s said.
Distrust that moment when the tide
of Fortune, at the flood, entwines in fickle thread,
enticing - sickled Time at side -
man with her siren song: by lust, ambitions, led.
The silent seconds, spendthrift, greedy glide: -
dovetail decades to centuries for waiting dead,
so few of whom dared seek inside
earth’s secret soul. Seemed stillborn when their hour was sped.
All those who strive to hitch a ride
at the expense of others, led
by selfishness unjustified
accounts must render overhead.
Whate’er the reasons that decide
the insolence of the individual; - bled
by fears, or blessed by wisdom wide,
or, hope denied, twisting in heat fond heart or head,
his place is precious. Don’t deride
the diff’rences that oft divide his awkward tread
from those who, superficial, slide
through life, - those most behind who think themselves ahead!
10 October 1981
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Perfect Little Heart
When I think about it
Does anybody win
Taking for yourself and giving nothing
Now that were apart
I see it wasnt really love
I can ride down the road
And let my soul run free
You may think it over
But no matter what you say
Youre talking to yourself
And getting nowhere
There aint no second chances
No reason to pretend
Im gonna ride down the road
And let my soul run free
Now that weve grown apart
It seems so very sad
Why did it turn so bad and I remember
You said that all good things
Must surely end
Never mind all the hearts
That lie broken
I know Ill never make
The same mistake again
I doesn matter what you say
Now I think about it
We all need a little time
cause if we aint got love
We aint got nothing
The doors are opened wide
On my one and only life
Gonna ride down the road
And let my soul run free
I know Ill never make
The same mistake again
But I will always be your friend
Now that weve grown apart
It seems so very sad
Why did it turn so bad and I remember
And I remember
Let my soul run free
Let my soul run free
Did I break your perfect little heart
song performed by by Uriah Heep
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Cusp Choice - 0548
Coincidence spins web when into place
life slips choice puzzle pieces in due time.
Flair/feeling twins awareness of fall, climb,
keys karmic scene between lines few dare face.
Dreams decode subtle signals, interface
past, present, future, patterns sees through grime,
aligning intersections, prose rerhyme.
Pace swift and slow tune into links to trace
instinctive correspondence, interlace
unique potential, untapped options prime,
deny the base which smothers in its slime,
Cause, effect, await cusp's state of grace.
"Chance" intercepts flow's waves, 'free choice' would bring
order into chaos, tune fate's [s]wing.
(15 January 2008)
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Dare She?
Some sentiments destabilize
when inner thoughts through other eyes
by magic pen may formalize.
Perhaps, despite protective sighs,
hope lies ahead, helps shed disguise?
Tight rope walk from walled citadel,
beset by fears Time can’t dispel,
sits one who may have loved too well, -
emotions dares nor share nor tell,
lest betrayal breach hope's shell.
Stands, reflects with much surprise,
upon commitment’s even ties, -
scarred by a past which “self” denies,
scared behind sweet sparkling eyes, -
lest she should lose herself, fair prize.
Is real from drawbridge cusp choice free
or reel rewound where wounds may be
reopened although memory
real_I_tease would hide, - stiff fee
to pay for ransomed soul at sea.
Reality may coincide
with dreams when two, as one allied,
advance together, prospects wide
embrace with motives bona fide
face future fearless, side by side,
all former errors rectified.
Fate scoops hope's bottle from life's sea -
half-full? half-empty? - destiny
plays games with will, reality.
Combine, merge, urge purge, splurge surge, key
into choice voice, rejoice, set free.
For 'what will be' can't stay inside
time genie's bottle, chance denied,
must scene tranlate to act, play ride
from start through end as plot supplied
threads to conclusion which may guide
fresh start for heart wait's weight defied.
Careful, fearful, fitful, she
herself seems her worst enemy,
seeks protection, amity.
What controls her destiny?
dare she let go, for once not flee?
Maybe its time to realize
that though fleet Time so swiftly flies
compromise can’t circumsize
future options that arise
to offer comforting replies.
She, where others buy and sell,
for silver pawn their souls to Hell,
sheltered beneath protective shell, -
more flirt on call than siren bell
though on hid softness fond thoughts dwell.
Who’d wish her heart he satisfies,
may seek HER truth where most, less wise,
confide blind trust to logic’s lies…
In harmony hope's answer lies,
shared peace, that love alone supplies.
poem by Jonathan Robin
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The Tracks of Time - Acrostic Sonnet
Too many straight-line certitudes adopt,
Heed not coin’s “other side”, nor feel the pain
Expressed when understanding’s lacking, train
Themselves to close their minds. Why choice is stopped
Remains a mystery, yet so few opt
Against the stream, theme focus tight restrain.
Choice is important! Why must most abstain,
Knowing needed growth, remain like propped
Stiff puppets strung along in life till chopped?
Open minds which for solutions strain
Find solace in discovery. Insane
The path seems from which all free-will is dropped.
Is it so difficult to cast a net
MEaningful, so easy to forget?
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Momentum
Til recently Death leaked
waters of wisdom wide
in Lethe’s sterile ditch, ~
left precious little guide
for generations which
absorbed vain preview sneak
of knowledge wells inside
the sum of learning rich
which might as base abide
to speed the future’s ride.
Tomorrow waits to speak
with unsuspecting tide
as waves of learning stitch
themselves together hide
little or nought, may hitch
ride at a rate unique -
momentum to provide
deep answers ~ what’s the glitch? ~
that mankind in its pride
may for the worst decide...
poem by Jonathan Robin
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Encore: Foreplay/Long Time, Free Ride
Daytona Beach y'all want some more?"**
"We're gonna take you back in time Daytona."
**Foreplay/ Long Time**
It's been such a long time
But I think I should be goin', yeah
Cause time doesn't wait for me, but it keeps on rollin'
So Sail on, on a distant highway
Well I've got to keep on chasin' a dream
But I've gotta be on my way
Well I guess there is nothing left to say.
Well I'm takin' my time, I'm just movin' along
You'll forget about me after I've been gone
And I take what I find, I don't want no more
It's just outside of your front door.
It's been such a long time, It's been such a long time. Yeah
**Free Ride**
The mountain is high, now the valley is low.
And if you are confused on which way to go.
So Rascal Flatts is here to lend you my hand
And lead you into the Promise Land.
So come on and take a free ride. (Free Ride)
Come on and take me my by my sides ya
Oh come on and take a free ride. (Free Ride)
(Daytona take one with us)
All over the country, Said there is nothing the same.
And if nobody is winning yea this kind of game.
We gotta do better,Say its time to give in.
You know all the answers................
So come on and take a free ride. (Free Ride)
Come on and take me by my sides yea.
Come on and take a free Ride.
Well Im taking my time.
Yes I'm just taking my time.
Yes Im taking my time.
Im just taking my time.
**Daytona you better hold on cause here they come**
**We hope y'all enjoyed Free Ride**WOOOOOO
**Daytona That Rides On Us**
song performed by by Rascal Flatts
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Re...Motivations
Motivations vary, life's scheme stream
Advances under winds of time and tide
Unties response/reaction knots, fills dream,
Destined idea[l]s in harmony abide.
Empowerment and Destiny may seem
Contradictory, common sense defied,
Our free will's voice for choice may weave Way's theme,
Refuting seasons' treason reasoned ride.
Real zest within maintains truth's laser beam
In ways few dare decypher, spirit guide
Ever reflects reflections unforeseen -
Reel karmic? Knowledge? Matrix seek and hide?
All life's [s]pent s[t]age enacting causal link:
Seek cause/effect? I AM because YOU think...
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Decisions
DECISIONS
When choice, once clear, uncertain grows,
when confidence is in the throes
of conflict as the hands of fate
turn counter-clockwise, retrograde,
decisions must be made.
As lost hands may not be replayed
act, don’t delay, and fears may fade,
so plan ahead, anticipate
life’s pattern to its ebbs and flows
key in, diverting current woes.
When doubt, once abstract, shadows throws
to dim the spirit’s inner flows,
the mind must not procrastinate,
though expectations seem betrayed
where visibility has greyed.
Decisions must in time be made.
Tomorrowrs no safe barricade!
As rates of Change accelerate
Chance cannot, even if it chose,
avert Time’s arrows, flighty b[l]ows.
No door remains forever closed.
Internal or external foes
undermine the strongest state.
Initiative displayed
may turn the sharpest blade.
Decisions, if delayed,
beyond all reason Reason trade
for self destruction, - taken late
may compromise, harm, or foreclose
free choice, voice suffocate.
22 June 2005
robi03_1283_robi03_0000 XXX_EJX
© Jonathan Robin
poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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