Nosco

Knowledge does not come to us in details, but in flashes of light from heaven. - Thoreau

You don't know me.

How could you?

You've not done what I did.

Not hidden where I've hid.

Not felt what I've felt.

Not knelt where I've knelt.

Surely never dwelled where I dwelt.

You've not cried when I cried.

Nor seen where I died.

You've not watched me dance.

Never been inside my cardboard manse.

Take hold of my withered, calloused hand and I will show you.

With blind eyes.

Realize.

You haven't the slightest clue.

My shoes don't fit you.

My truth can't convince you.

You've never held a ticket to Hell's zoo.

Lack of breath doesn't even make me turn blue.

Nay, you don't know me.

How could you?

I scarcely know myself ...

Author's Note

"I should say that the useful results of science had accumulated, but that there had been no accumulation of knowledge, strictly speaking, for posterity; for knowledge is to be acquired only by a corresponding experience. How can we know what we are told merely? Each man can interpret another's experience only by his own." - Thoreau

Reviews

[Sami Khalil]

Always speaking the truth which is enlightening. We are all unique with different experiences. To know someone or their emotions, you have walk in their shoes, be intimately familiar with their desires, know their intentions which is hard to do. You add your voice to Thoreou which is marvelous.

[Pete]

indeed. we get to choose who we let into our weird little worlds - what a privilege. thank you for sharing thoughts sami. appreciated ... :)

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! I do agree. That is why we have inner circles of friends and influence. You are welcome sir Pete...

[barleygirl]

Early in life, to have someone "know" me seemed like a desirable thing, but usually not happening to any satisfying degree! Always having wanted to be a writer, early on I felt I needed to make myself "known" (thru writing) since I felt so odd & unlike "normal" people, I was sure nobody knew me. Then as life went on, I realized I never knew myself to any significant degree. The older I get, the more unknowable I feel people really are. Thank you for piquing this little itch, often lingering . . . the unfathomability of knowing anyone (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

i feel the same way - ditto. as time goes on i think it's getting even harder to know people. technology is limiting human interaction. there's an old saying that, "You never really know someone ..." most of us don't know who we really are until our backs are to the wall ... :)

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

A most truthful peice that allows the reader to wonder more on placed times, well done, good read.

[Pete]

thank you thomas. in our humanity, we oft erroneously think we know people and various other things. to live is to know and to hope divine ... :)

[R.J Calzonetti]

When I read this a day or so ago it really grabbed me by the throat and wouldn't let go. That's how a poem built on emotion becomes powerful.

[Pete]

hmm. thanks r.j. hope it lets go before it chokes you out (just kidding). my best to you as always my darkside friend ... :)