"I" Exam

Never look back unless you are planning to go that way. - Thoreau

i squinted in hindsight

discovering that i could not read the braille of truth and reason

i guess i need thicker glasses

that would surely be a good start

along with a more tactile heart

one not so easily blinded by treason

Author's Note

"Great God, I ask thee for no meaner pelf Than that I may not disappoint myself, That in my action I may soar as high As I can now discern with this clear eye." - Thoreau

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Thicker glasses & a more tactile heart? Great lyrical prescription, but no thanks! I went thru a phase where I could not remember anything from my earlier life. Then somehow it all came back to me for a bit . . . until I ransacked the attic & realized I really don't want to cling to any crap from my past! *wink! wink!* I love how your narrator doesn't sound that wild for the task of looking back! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

wow, that's rough although thoreau did write, "never look back unless you are planning to go that way". on the other hand, george santayana said, "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it". it is a fine line that we walk each in their own way. this was meant to spur thinking and it seems to have succeeded ... :)

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Love the reference to Braille
Very clever poem
Liked it

[Pete]

you of all people would see it with your "eye" avatar. thank you julie ... :)

[Poetic Beauty]

The heart blinds is with its beauty and glow often and then when all crumples into a pile of rubble.

[Pete]

all true. ouch, pass the visine ... :)

[lightsong]

When the matter of heart and love, pain and loss involved, here comes the tough experience. confusion can fill a heart suffering with pain leaving a big blurry vail over it, to heal that heart, and make it ready to be opened with a healthy way again, many can't reach this, still, if we look to it as a step by step process, to be open little by little without fear of getting hurt, this makes it easier to go.

[Pete]

can't argue with your healing thoughts. so true - many can't get past or over. we live, we search, we love. not being afraid is key. great share ... :)

[John the Baptist]

Well rhymed piece here. It appears the speaker's tendency to to look backward has blinded him to truth and reason. What is a tactile heart? One that feels more deeply? And what is the treason referred to? Evidently to truth and reason. Sounds like some reform is in order here.

[Pete]

yes, a heart that more easily feels its way in the dark and is not so prone to being hurt. we think we have things figured out and then people come along and change the rules of the game or don't follow them playing a different game leaving you lost and feeling betrayed. thoreau shunned society and went off to live in the woods to find simple truth. your conclusion is correct - reform is in order.

thoreau said that, Things do not change; we change." seems like now things are changing and forcing us to change these days. covid, political riots, police brutality, where does it end? thanks for the valuable two cents j the b ... :)