The True Weight of a Man’s Soul

The True Weight of a Man’s Soul

 

The weight of a man’s soul

is never

determined by birth, nor by

grace, or by

gender, or volume, or girth ..

Nor either

by chance, or the sum of its

mass, that

which so effectively made up

the whole

of the vessel it once sailed in ..

But rather,

the amount and the measure

of both the

kindness and love that it dealt

and did share ..

With those it encountered

for each of

those moments that together

comprised the

entire physical life of its host

here on earth,

where it both sheltered and

harboured ..

That is, until its final release

and eventual

departure, being invariably

exhaled on the

last breath of those dying

and though

priceless in monetary terms ..

It rarely, 

if ever, exceeds a grand total 

of almost

precisely, twenty-one grams ..

 

 

Reviews

[Ken Simm.]

I understand one scientist once indeed try to weigh the soul by weighing a body the instant before death and the instant after and he got a difference. Now whether that is definative proof I don't know but I think you poem rether deftly describes the concept anyway. Excellent my friend. It is a concept that cannot be defined exactly using the wrong toold for the job, words. Rather actions should be seen as doing this. Unless you are defining it using the correct words as you have.

[Neville]

yes indeed & though never proved, the idea is so very compelling .. 21 grams is nothing is it .. or is it everything .. Neville

[Masked writer]

damn thats deep
Very thoughtfull, one of knowledge for sure

~M,w

[Neville]

Bless you Mw .. so very much appreciated .. Neville

[Anita Frader]

Very meaningful piece of poetry that speaks an important truth.

[Neville]

How very kind .. Many thanks indeed my new found literary friend Anita F .. Neville 💛
read more
How very kind .. Many thanks indeed my new found literary friend Anita F .. Neville 💛

[Thomas W Case]

Superb. I love the way YOU TELL IT N.

[Neville]

the fact you came by at all made my day .. Neville :)

[Lorry]

I think popeye summed it up best by saying "we is what we is!"
Thrn again, yours is a tad more prosaic than that nev, but i think popeye in later years may have come up with something a bit more than his mad zany ack ack ack laugh and just what was he thinking? Olive oil would have snapped like a twig!
He should stick to cartoons, while you jusy keep doing what you do best... No, writing! 😊

[Neville]

I am not entirely sure whether I get your drift sir .. but shall convey my thanks, just in case I don't ..

Cheers,

Neville

[Lorry]

No worries. Ive had covid again and hopefully the misspelling didnt add to the confusion. Sir.
Am fine now, but sheesh! What does a guy have to do to get a break from that new C bomb? 😊

[Neville]

I did wunder 😁

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Neville… if you gather falling feathers you may have a Feather Quilt to protect you from the Weather. When I read your Letters I feel less lonely. May the Heavens be blessed with your Presence and Vice Versus. gently, Pat

[Neville]

my very dear Pat .. what a delightful message you have left for me here ... bless you too my friend and gently .................... Neville x

[lightsong]

So You also know about the 21grams theory :> well, who knows... if it is 21 or 12 and who cares? sure what we care about is the amount of goodness left behind in this world. do I even have to say that I agree to your words ? :>

[Neville]

Hello stranger, I hope you are well my dear G Girl .. Yes I am familiar with the 21g theory but know that for various technical reasons, it is flawed .. I remain however convinced that the soul, albeit a mystery is something precious and sacred & maybe the true essence of the individual that lives on upon passing ............ Neville

[olla]

this is a very good poem.. I haven't been around as much lately.. life and times you know.. I am glad yours was one of the first I saw this morning after Coyote and Chris had commented.. I am glad it was brought to my attention..

[Neville]

it is a real pleasure to have you visit my words dear ola .. and I am honoured that you should follow close on the heels of both Coyote & Chris .. I do so hope you and yours all remain safe and well .. I both know and can truly empathise with your life and times, you know nudge ..

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Neville.
"But rather,
the amount and the measure
of both the
kindness and love that it dealt"
The above lines. Is the weight of a great life. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry. I did enjoy this one.
Coyote

and did share ..

[Neville]

I am truly honoured that you should feel such a way about these words Coyote and as always, I thank you and send my best wishes ...... Neville

[Coyote Poetry]

Always my pleasure to read your work.

[Chris Shaw]

You know a second visit might lift your spirits. I hope so :) it was well worth a second read.

Chris

[Neville]

you know what our Chris, I think it might just kinda mighta .. maybe :)

Neville