Be what you are
Cats don’t imitate tigers;
Ducks don’t imitate swans;
Cocks don’t imitate peacocks.
Must you imitate to live up?
28.08.2000, Madras
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar

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If Only
if only i know how to dance
then i will dance with you
if only i know how to sing
then i will sing with you
if only i know how to be you
then i will be you not just with you
you wish, and i may make your wish my command
like the genie of the three wishes
but my dear, i am myself all through and through
i dance my own dance, and i sing my own song, and i behave
the way i am, and want myself to be
i proclaim myself, my individuality, i do not wish to imitate you,
neither you to imitate me,
for if i become you and you become me,
half of you and half of me, looking alike in all ways,
a mirror image of a self to another self
will that not be boring? and damning? and degrading?
and cheap and unfashionable?
poem by Ric S. Bastasa

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Impossiblity (Irenga)
Glorious sunset,
the western sky ablaze with shades of red.
Nature’s artistry
beyond a mans ability
to emulate or imitate.
Nature’s artistry
beyond any mans ability
to emulate or imitate.
Although they still try.
Perfection beyond their grasp.
Natures artistry
beyond any mans ability
to emulate or imitate.
But driven by some inner need
they are convinced they can succeed.
First stanza
5 syllables
10 syllables
5 syllables
8syllables.
8syllables
Second stanza
repeat last three lines of first stanza
then
5 syllables
8 syllables.
Third stanza
Repeat
Last three lines of first stanza
Then
8 syllables
syllables
Japanese style poetry
no obligation to rhyme.
(22/07/2007)
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg

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Sin.....
I've seen greatness
i love it,
i feel the wings
of the eagles of
this land
i, decrepit and
aging
lowly
creature of the
cold and slum
marvel on the
sharp claws of the great minds
ahead of me
I've seen them live
on the ivory towers
of their heads
i come late
and people ask the reason
why i seem
to rejoice
on that predicament
i bring no explanation
i have no flowers in my hands
i believe in myself
and though i worship great minds
i do not
imitate them
their passions and fame
are all theirs
they deserve a name carved
on marbles
and stones
on bold letters of gold
and embellished with
chunks of
polished diamonds
i repeat
i do not imitate them
i am like no other
i am original
like sin.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa

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Hello Shadows
Shadows imitate every thing in life
But it does not argue, fuss, or fight
And can be changed by the reflection of light
Your shadow will imitate everything that you do
For that shadow belongs to you.
The shadow of an object can
hide you from the sun
Not just you but every one.
Shadows have but one color (black)
And it is not belittled or put down
But accepted by all you see
Which makes it one of gods mysteries.
It can be seen in the sunlight
But not in the dark
It can even be seen with artificial light
And the kids have fun with it
Man! What a sight.
It has no face to show emotions
And it will always be by your side
Although at times it must hide.
The sun can not touch it, as it stares up at you
This is something the sun can not do.
The shadow will walk in front of you
Or in back, or walk on your sides
But will always be there wherever you go
For it is something that we all know
And to my shadow I say “hello”.
poem by Louis Rams

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Over Medicating With A Self Importance
We can't imitate the living of life.
We can,
However.
Prevent others from doing so.
To limit eventually,
Our own growth process.
And the evidence of that,
Does not need a tour guide.
We can't imitate the living of life.
Nor can we insist what is not visible exists.
But so much of life lived is not visible...
To expose to anyone to prove it being done.
Most of life lived when given,
Is based on sheer faith and confidence.
Patience and the giving of sacrificial time.
With the knowing in one's mind.
Something divine is keeping track of the mess,
Human beings have made in attempts to perfect nonsense.
We can't imitate the living of life.
Once one has been blessed with it.
There is something genuine and real,
About the feelings one has.
We can,
However.
Prevent others from doing so.
To leave them to live their own lives.
And allow others to learn and grow,
For the sharing of those experiences.
But many don't get this!
Without that interdependence.
We limit eventually,
Our own growth process.
And the evidence of that,
Does not need a tour guide.
We would rather destroy other lives,
With the enforcement of values and standards...
We perceive with beliefs are best for others,
When in fact.
We are hard pressed to show any evidence,
To convince within our own minds.
Of that working for ourselves.
But an over medicating with a self importance?
We can do with the right prescription.
Not to take but to test.
With the observing of the affects on others.
To arrive at a feeling of perfection.
And that,
As of yet.
Can not be found.
However.
We can always say,
What we believe has been achieved.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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We do not imitate, but are a model to others.
On Reading, 'A Few Reflections On Imitatio-Dei
reply to Hune....
i lean probably more towards the buddhist interpretation... we are all buddha, waiting to evolve.... in the same sense we are all god, taking form, evolving.... we are the hands and feet of eternal creation, continually dying and being born.... god is no more distant than the self... and we choose that... the bridge does not lead outward, but inward....
the problem lies in the 'need' to imitate... how do we imitate what we already are?
do we live? or are we imitating life? the social consciousness, the compassion, and the actions we ascribe to the divine are there within us, hidden beneath layers of ego...
we long for a distant sea when the waves are already lapping at the feet of our heart!
our heart speaks to us of this, yet all we hear are distant echoes, garbled by concepts. the fire of dialogue is lit.... we sit across from ourselves!
as always, your writings inspire both deep thought and introspection... i read them in paragraphs, gulping for air....
and i'm quite sure tonight when i'm trying to sleep, these thoughts will return.
thank you for lighting the fire!
poem by Eric Cockrell

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Well, you might as well imitate your own program because if you don't, someone else will.
quote by Allan Sherman

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First you imitate, then you innovate.
quote by Miles Davis

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Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing.
quote by Salvador Dali

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Always imitate the behavior of the winners when you lose.
I always admired virtue - but I could never imitate it.
quote by Charles II

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Do something wonderful, people may imitate it.
quote by Albert Schweitzer

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When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other.
quote by Eric Hoffer

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Where there is a crippled don't imitate is disability.

She had caprices of a marvellous unexpectedness, and how is any one to imitate a caprice?

A good composer does not imitate; he steals.
quote by Igor Stravinsky

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It is destruction to the weak man to attempt to imitate the powerful.

Insist on yourself; never imitate... Every great man is unique.
quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson

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