On Being Human

On Being Human

 

We are

What we are

As much

Made by others

As we are

Genetics  

And by chemistry

 

We are

Not much more

Than victims

Each bound

As much by

Ignorance as by

Fear and individual

Suffering

 

We are

What we are

Subject to

Indifference and

A degree of personal

Loathing 

 

We are

What we are

Objects to be

Stared at

Ridiculed  

Laughed at and

Variously abused

We are

What we are

Make no mistake

There are no

Universal laws

And misery

Is entirely optional

My friend  

 

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

I can not disagree with anything you have written. I am reminded of Dylan Thomas and his poem The force that through the green fuse drives the flower. The endless cycle of life and death which examines nature, mortality, love and what it means to be alive. I like where you took me to with your lines. You made me think Neville. Life is too short for misery.

Chris

[Neville]

there is certainly enough misery in this world & if at all possible, I would rather not be part of it.. thank you our Chris.. and tho familiar with some of DT's work, I now feel the need to re-visit... N

[DIVYA]

You set me thinking N. Fantastic message here! I am who I am, as created by Almighty. I was sent here for a human experience. The miseries that plague me, plague all my fellow humans. Yet I feel that I am alone and unique in my suffering and pain. We need to expand our minds, become more universal.

[Neville]

thank you so much DIVYA.. I do appreciate you stopping for a while and considering my scribbles.. You are of course right when you refer to pain we as a species feel... and in our experience of our uniquely individual pain and suffering, I often think we feel alone.. I am a great believer in zanshin or open and universal mind..... Neville

[DIVYA]

The problem is that we mostly keep to ourselves when the most obvious and happiest solution is to reach out and share. An open mind is the only solution then...

[DIVYA]

And you're most welcome :)

[Neville]

thank you again.. :)

[Ana Papaya]

I struggle with this subject sometimes. I don't disagree with anything here. But sometimes I wonder who I would be if a few specific events never happened and a few specific people never entered my life.
It's for me a question of " am I who I was born to be" and if not have I become better or worse?
This really sets my head ticking.

[Neville]

there are times when I think most of us think similarly, we just dont necessarily articulate the thoughts.. I appreciate your visit and your honesty..... Cheers, Neville

[Ana Papaya]

cheers :)

[Neville]

..... cheers :)

[Lyn Anderson]

The truth is that we can be miserable in a seemingly happy circumstance or happy in the direst of situations. Until we learn that misery is optional, we are doomed to always see the glass as half empty.

[Neville]

a half empty glass is good tho innit..... thank you for this most recent visitation, tis much appreciated as always.... Neville

[barleygirl]

Your poem feels like it can be read in a number of ways, like you were anticipating that the reader would bring his/her own viewpoint into this. To me, this feels a little bit like a butt-whuppin' aimed at whiners (or maybe I've been reading too many dreary poems lately & this is what I'm bringing to your poem). Life is what it is & you've captured that with great details & a little slap at the end. Let's make our choices, huh? *wink! wink!* Fondly, Margie

[Neville]

a number of ways is fine by me... variety being the spice of life.. without it, boredom quickly sets in... and then his mind turns to butt whuppin don'tcha know... Cheers Margie wink wink..... Neville

[kitty]

When we realise that we are created/evolved, therefore not responsible for our own being... we become more accepting of the 'true reality'. We are then able to be accepting of our abilities/disabilities and are content! Very moving piece. Thanks Neville!

[Neville]

thank you kitty for visiting this page and considering my words.. much appreciated.. Neville

[kitty]

My pleasure!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right my friend. We become, who we suppose to be. The cycle of life is fair. Powerful and worthwhile words shared Neville. I enjoyed this poem.
Coyote

[Neville]

Many thanks indeed my friend.. much appreciated.. Neville

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[Neville]

I do appreciate you Coyote and true...

[Cherrie Palmer]

That is great advice, life's journey is a cloaked veil, we must decide how we face each new day.

So glad to see you back.

[Neville]

thank you so much my friend... Neville

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Misery is optional eh, great thoughtprovoking poem, I like how u muse and reflect here. It's a brilliant piece indeed. Kudos.

Pls Pleez do comment/review my newest poem too.

[Neville]

thank you for visiting these words, I sincerely appreciate your time and comment above... Neville

[Robert Trakofler]

thank goodness i am a bunny..... :0 oh crap i'm in a human body, keep forgetting! I purchase cans of misery at the market often but I always forget to get a can opener. Having a somewhat dysfunctional brain I used to grapple with the aspect of you cant out think neuro-chemistry thing a great deal but as you said in your closing line... turns out you can sometimes:) I'm pretty sure it's not just a rodent thing too. i cant disagree with any of these thoughtful lines and i'm glad you came to the same conclusion but sometimes i have to admit i miss some of those ignorance's on occasion. Drat the life of a poet

[Neville]

thank you Bb.. Neville

[Laura Kate]

Hi Neville. My first visit to your page today, I love how you blend both ideas of helplessness; having no control over the situations, society or environment you are born into, but also action, and how life is also about the choices we make. A thought provoking read - thank you

Laura

[Neville]

thank you so very much LauraKate.... N :)