The Game Played and 45 of 81, Poems from the Tao, Poetry, Spoken Word and Thoughts on Choosing Sides
The Game Played
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Times are tumultuous. Things are changing rapidly, moving forward and reverting back. Steem has split and a new Hive is born. Fear of a contagion breaks some apart and brings some closer together. The wise see clearer and understand what is worth keeping, what is worth nurturing, and what was never worth fighting for to begin with. Maybe even ... that fighting is rarely worth it and a misuse of energy and resources ... that no matter what you are fighting for, it will weaken you. Strength is only rebuilt when the fighting stops and the nurturing begins again.
Or maybe ... I just need to pick a side and hope its the winning one.
***
The Game Played
gamblers, trestle up
before claiming your seat
at the table
make sure the crescendo
of your cha-ching
doesn’t overwhelms the cut
of your bustle
fortune will play sleight of hand
lending thoughtless ninnies
faux-grace and knave-like masculinity
take heart …
a diamond or clover
and remember
even the luckiest fool
with a horseshoe-affected shuffle
can be beaten by the bluff
of a spade-wielding scoundrel
(Published in Monsters, Avatars, and Angels. Link can be found at the bottom of the post. The poem was originally conceived on steemit.)
***
The problem ... sides are illusions. If the spread of a virus tells you anything ... there are no sides and there are no borders. We are in this together, no matter how badly or kindly we treat each other.
***
45 of 81
The beauty of landscape is best comprehended
With a long view
Each part pales to the sum of its whole
Seeming imperfections blend perfectly
From space the earth is naught but beauty
No view is ever long enough
To take in the complete beauty of the Tao
If you see anything but beauty
Take a step back
The master does not care for perfection
He trusts only the work of the Tao is ever done
Spoken Word
(Published in 81, Poems from the Tao. Link found at the bottom.)
***
If we treat each other well, we grow stronger; if we war among ourselves; we become easy pickings for death and destruction. So what really matters then ... how we treat each other and not what happens and not what imaginary side your pick. Everything else is just a game. Enjoy the game, but don't let it fool you into believing you can win while another loses.
And don't let it convince you to destroy our true strength ... the love and kindness we grow together. It is all one garden. I will not be picking sides or enemies. Put another way ... I pick you but not just you. My advice ... nurture what you love; keep it strong; don't weaken it with warring within.
Disclosure ... this was also posted on steem as well. Given its message, perhaps you may understand. In the future, I will endeavour vary my posts between platforms. Wishing everyone success.
All words and images are my own. Click on any images below if you would like to read more or support my writing.
Wonderful writing! I'm glad to see you posting here. :)
Thank you, LS. Nice to see you here too but I do think I will not abandon the folks that stay with steem either. I hope we will all find a peaceful way to co-exist:) It is everyone's best interest.
These are both really nice. The first a bleak warning, the second a comfort.
Love this
Thank you, Owasco. You have picked out the lines that are bit of a mantra for me in times of turmoil:)
Sorry, I'm sorry to have to respond from another answer but my peakd doesn't give me the option to respond directly. I love your publication with a message of reflection and the invitation to know ourselves from the inside, the human being has infinite possibilities and gifts that never end up being known because of that self-destructive capacity and the desire to live quickly other things that are not really important in life. A beautiful reading, full of positive energy. Thank you for sharing. My support and a hug here, beautiful @prydefoltz
Thanks so much, Mary. I hope you are keeping well:)
I dont see it as a black and white, all or none type of deal. Just not a war in my eyes. I plan to post on both, sometimes the same stuff, sometimes not. I always approached this from what I prefer to do, instead of what I think others want me to do...knowwhatimean 😁
I know what ya mean:) Thanks, Paul. Safety in numbers:)
Such beautiful work, @prydefoltz! Love this:
Thank you, Jayna:)
@prydefoltz,
Hi Pryde,
Alas, "peace" does not seem to be of much interest to anyone these days. I tried to inspire ... and failed. Once people determine they want a war, good luck in talking them out of it. I too intend to keep posting on both sites. I'm also participating in Voice Beta.
Good for you for possessing the courage to speak about this publicly. You have my salute.
Long live ... poets. :-)
Quill
Thank you, Paul. I think peace acts as a force in the same way that war does. It is subtle in its way but it is spread and felt just the same as chaos. Haven't you ever been around someone who makes you feel good and soothes even though you arrived depressed or even incensed. Enough of us just have to decide to be that person and work at it. You would know as an ex soldier ... and me to a lesser degree with martial arts ... but you have to work at it to become an effective warrior. The same goes for us peace mongers. It is a commitment and practice. But after awhile, it becomes second nature and clearly the better way.
I think too ... I offered this without also offering my two cents about who was right or wrong and that allows some space to develop in the middle and room for both sides to succeed.
I think the development of HIVE is a great thing, no matter how it came about.
See you here and see you on the flipside too:)
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Love your poetry! I've chosen to only publish on HIVE, and that decision is totally because of Justin Sun. I don't think badly of others who are still posting on steemit, and I accept their choice to do so. Steemit is just too toxic for me, personally, and I'm happy that I've said goodbye to it.
Thank you, free-reign. Steemit is rather quiet now, to be sure.
Makes sense...Not beautiful for you? You're not far enough...To a degree. There's the perfect distance for everything, for every viewer. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder...(Don't stare Beholders in the eyes, simple Dungeons&Dragons wisdom)...
Is beauty beautiful when out of sight?
Still, I agree if you want to find beauty (or good...or sense in something), you can. If you want to find imperfection, you do.
Cheers!
We do create our own reality in more ways than one. Taking a good nap is another solution when one is feeling negative. Thank you, manoldonchev:)
Lovely poems and I love the thoughts behind it. Although... I have picked a side, I picked HIVE!
Stay cool and #BeHIVE! :)
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Thank you, felt-buzz. Not everyone is led to the same decision. There is wisdom in understanding that. We need diversity in thought:)
This words are perfect manifestations of all the events we are living right now. Whitout a doubt this 2020 will make a deep impact in our History. Too much to learn in these days, in our societies and in the plantforms where we express and create.
The health crisis is the most important and the world is attending, tomorrow we will know about a difficult number for which we must prepare. Many good wishes, @prydefoltz, glad to found your post throgh the Power House Creatives Community!!
Thank you so much, Leveuf. It is nice to make a new friend:)
We are torn in between, moving forward to Hive and missing some who are at Steem, don't we. Like you said, hope people won't keep on war and fight but co-exist.
Lovely poem as always. It is tumultuous times but we will all support each other. 💞Staying on Steem or moving to Hive is a personal decision and doesn’t have to be a battle.
There seems enough our there to battle for sure. Thank you, hun:)
There is so much about these words that I love. I could pick some out, but, choose not to make the others less significant.
The thoughts behind this curtain of poetry are so honestly true and a no brainer, and yet, most need to choose sides.
Right or wrong.
Good or bad.
The incestuous nature of your thoughts have never gone the way of the popular vote, but rather your own thoughts, so bravo. You know I love your heart, your thoughts, the entire process that brings you to here.
I know. I'm just having a fangirl moment. :)
You will be seeing me here and there and that is okay for a while. I don't want to leave any people behind, especially my #MarketFriday ones! Have a great day, Pryde! You certainly made mine with this.
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Thank you, Denise. People in both communities really admire you. I am glad I will see you in more places:)
Awww. That is so sweet of you and I am glad I will see you in more than one place!
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Lovely poems and a great message!
Thank you, Derek:)
"Maybe even ... that fighting is rarely worth it and a misuse of energy and resources ... that no matter what you are fighting for, it will weaken you. Strength is only rebuilt when the fighting stops and the nurturing begins again".
How can I say more than this, as it is the true balance in life.
Love and respect should be the qualities that drive us!
Blessings and an exceptional post here my friend!
Thanks so much, papillon:)
Only a pleasure my friend!
Blessings!
Great poem. 💕
Thank you, Wonderwop:)
Oh, the power of kindness! And the ability to be able to recognize what it is you really value!
Beautifully said!
Here's to peace and loving kindness!
Thanks so much, Porters:)
I'm glad you're here. I'm upset that we were all forced to take a side, too. I didn't like that. We're stronger together than apart.
But I am glad that you're here. 😃
I did feel a little off about the whole thing but then I recently realized it was a gift. Now we have two crypto homes. Funny how things turn out.
You are very right in your words, as the saying "The Union makes strength" says, I am proud to belong to this great community 😊
Thank you, Lourdes. It is a great community indeed:)
As always, wonderful writing with profound wisdom. A hug, Pryde!
Thanks so much, Zeleira:)
Beautiful message very much needed in these difficult times!
Thank you.
Thank you, Lizelle. I hope you are staying well:)