We Don't Live

Deep thoughts for a Friday

We don’t live our lives in black and white,

Or at least, we were never meant to.

The world’s alive with a vibrant energy,

Full of people that pulse in every hue.

 

We don’t live our lives inside a box,

Or at least, that was never the plan.

The world’s a kaleidoscope of individuality,

As unique as a snowflake, or grain of sand.

 

We don’t live our lives immersed in hate,

Or at least, love's supposed to conquer all.

Still we bury our conscience and carry on,

Unaware we're headed for the ultimate fall.

Author's Note

Not sure what I'm trying to say here...the words are in my head, trying to get out...this is pretty rough atm. :)

Reviews

[Dave]

I taught U.S. history for quite a few years. I always tried to stress the strengths that are to be found in individuals, no matter what race, religion, ethnic background, that have contributed to our great nation. I always had difficulty with the calling of America ,"The Great Melting Pot."

I felt a "melting pot" reduces all the elements in it to the lowest common denominator. Instead I tried to portray us as a gigantic mosaic where each group brings their uniqueness and through all of it manifests a "work of art" a 'nation' the likes of which the world has never seen before.

[ReedWrite]

Great way to look at it...a gigantic mosaic. Thank you for the read and review.

[Dave]

You are more than welcome. I expect to be reading more of your writing.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'We Don't Live'
ReedWrite,
Beginning each line with 'We don't live' caused me to wonder, to question, to do an exam of how I think. How do I live and interact with others and how do I view differences in personality, life style...so many things to numerous to mention. I am just one person in a great big world. I think that every one is just trying to live and find meaning as best they can. We look and embrace so many things. Well your above piece was very good and needed too. Thanks for the honest write from the heart.
Kathy

[barleygirl]

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! This is a great message, much needed in our current world of strife & division. I like the way you start each stanza with a statement, then you kinda walk it back a little in the next line, & finally the last two lines of every stanza paint a picture of a deeper meaning. I love it when a poet crafts a message with parallel structure, like this . . . making variations on a theme which go together well & show a different viewpoint.

[ReedWrite]

TY Barleygirl!
Your reviews are always so rich and meaningful. You see people's work through very unique eyes...and what you pull from the pieces and share is always so insightful. Thank you so much for reading and commenting.

[Pete]

quite deep. thought provoking. there are no absolutes - we're all mixed bags. love survives because that is they way it was meant to be - no good thing ever dies. hate does not survive. we carry on being who & what we are in love and that is the essence of life, unique ...

[ReedWrite]

You are wise, Pete...and I agree with those words. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment.

[William Liston]

To me, this piece speaks of the beauty within the various shades of life. We're all connected, like pieces of a puzzle, trying to fit together and form one beautiful image, but nevertheless, we're all different pieces.
I will admit, though, that you lost me at the last line, but the overall essence of the piece still bleeds through clearly, especially with the smooth, unforced rhyme to aid in the readability.
Thank you for sharing.

- William Liston

[ReedWrite]

Thank you, William. I appreciate your comments.

[Wajiha Nayeem]

you are the most vibrant writer i must say.
such a wonderful thought it is that you expressed.
beautiful and true.

[ReedWrite]

Thank you, Wajiha!
Appreciate your review.

[Wajiha Nayeem]

pleasure was all mine..

[andrew mitchell]

we are all like puzzle pieces that come together as a whole but sometimes the puzzle is broken but comes together again and again nice work poet.

[ReedWrite]

So true. Thanks for dropping in to read it, Andrew!

[Kelly Scheppers]

"The world’s a kaleidoscope of individuality,
As unique as a snowflake, or grain of sand."

Those two lines alone could stand on their own merit! And the photo gives great impact to your words!

[ReedWrite]

Thank you so much, Kelly. Appreciate your review.

[Troy Henson]

Well put together and quite thought provoking. Thank you for sharing:)

[ReedWrite]

Thank you, Troy!

[Phill Oz O'fee]

If everyone felt alone and isolated in a crowd, the intensity of denial radiated between each of us would blot out our individuality, as we had all succumbed to ‘sameness’! Thank heavens for diversity, well highlighted within the poetic contents of your write … well done my friend!

[ReedWrite]

Thank you so much, Phill. Appreciate you taking time to read and comment.

[Anonymous]

Simply put, this is an excellent poem, I really enjoyed it! :D

[ReedWrite]

Thanks so much, Sami!