Headstall's Reflections - 4. Chapter 4-Poetry Prompt 4-Meter 1-Choices

There isn't much choice except to make choices. Really when we are awake what else are we doing.. go right or left, eat that or dont?, call him or dont? Life is only choices and while other's choices can affect us, the ones we make are the only ones we can control.
I think it's just part of being human and you expressed it well, Gary.

And some choices can break your heart... I agree with tim, the only thing we can control are the choices we make, not the choices that people around us make, even if they do affect us (sometimes with terrible consequences.) Life is nothing but choice, and people need to get better at accepting responsibility for the choices they make. I think you captured that here. Wonderfully done, Gary.

You write about choice elegantly here, Gary. The metre emphasizes the inevitability of consequences from the choices one makes. Its insistent pace highlights your words and drives home the point that you have no choice but to own all your choices. This poem particularly affected me. So very well done.

At one point one sees that not making a choice is a choice in itself. They are inevitable. The art of living is not to give in to the "what if..."s. Your poem is full of wise thoughts, too many to single one out. You have yet to write a poem I don't like. They are so much in concordance with the way I think/feel, it's scary sometines. Please go on writing poetry, Gary, each one is a treat.

It is after reading things like this that I say to myself “I am not a poet”. I ponder … where do these words come from … how does he find this within himself … thoughts put not just to word but to rhythm … the ebb and flow of a soul.

On 01/20/2016 12:38 PM, Mikiesboy said:

There isn't much choice except to make choices. Really when we are awake what else are we doing.. go right or left, eat that or dont?, call him or dont? Life is only choices and while other's choices can affect us, the ones we make are the only ones we can control.

I think it's just part of being human and you expressed it well, Gary.

Thanks, tim for the review, and your thoughts. Although this poem was personal for the most part, it was also, for me, about the world around us, and what we choose to ignore or do something about... injustice is all around us... whether it be racism, poverty, bigotry... even elitism/nepotism... In part this was a rallying cry to myself to do more... Personally... I own up to the choices I made that got me here, and I'd like to think I've made most of my choices with a true regard for others... and I'd also like to think my blinders came off a long time ago... again... thanks for commenting,tim...cheers... Gary...

On 01/21/2016 12:52 AM, LitLover said:

And some choices can break your heart... I agree with tim, the only thing we can control are the choices we make, not the choices that people around us make, even if they do affect us (sometimes with terrible consequences.) Life is nothing but choice, and people need to get better at accepting responsibility for the choices they make. I think you captured that here. Wonderfully done, Gary.

Thanks, Lit. That responsibility and the acceptance of is, I think, paramount. I think our choices with the people around us, are connected... others can break our heart, and vice versa, but the point for me is to stay true to myself... not let myself sink to a level I'm not comfortable with. There was a lot more to this one than meets the eye at first glance. I think...and I also think you keyed in on the biggest point of my reflection... Thanks, and cheers... Gary...

On 01/21/2016 01:38 AM, Parker Owens said:

You write about choice elegantly here, Gary. The metre emphasizes the inevitability of consequences from the choices one makes. Its insistent pace highlights your words and drives home the point that you have no choice but to own all your choices. This poem particularly affected me. So very well done.

Thank you, Parker, for the review, and for getting the consequence of the meter. I must tell you that I wrote this one without concern for the meter, and it was only when I was done that I found the syllables were consistent. I think only two lines were off... one with an extra, and one with 9... I'm pleased to hear this affected you, because this one was an important release for me... it set something free... Great review, sir... thanks and cheers... Gary...

On 01/22/2016 06:39 AM, J.HunterDunn said:

At one point one sees that not making a choice is a choice in itself. They are inevitable. The art of living is not to give in to the "what if..."s. Your poem is full of wise thoughts, too many to single one out. You have yet to write a poem I don't like. They are so much in concordance with the way I think/feel, it's scary sometines. Please go on writing poetry, Gary, each one is a treat.

Such kind words, Peter. Thank you so much. I've been incredibly busy with a new story, but I will always return to poetry. Your first line was a big part of the message..."say naught to wrong, or give my soul a voice"... this final line speaks to that... not making a choice is a choice in itself. You got it, and that means so much. I read this review a couple of days ago, and I have to tell you that iy made my day... cheers, and thanks... Gary...

On 01/23/2016 02:42 AM, dughlas said:

It is after reading things like this that I say to myself “I am not a poet”. I ponder … where do these words come from … how does he find this within himself … thoughts put not just to word but to rhythm … the ebb and flow of a soul.

Thanks, dugh! and you say you're not a poet? How can you not see that this is poetry. This is one of my favorite reviews ever... thank you for the validation and the support, my friend... this came from a deep place in me and you connected with it, and you see what it was for me... I can't ask more than that... I thank you for the lovely words, beautifully expressed... cheers, and namaste, my brother... Gary...

This is a thoughtful poem Gary. I'll only add to what everyone has so brilliantly said, that there is such freedom in having choices. Courage too, when we dare to stand up and speak out. When we do get it wrong, hopefully it's a life lesson that influences the next choice, the next course of action or the direction we take. We don't always choose right, but it makes life interesting sometimes.

Great work as always Gary..

On 01/23/2016 12:57 PM, Defiance19 said:

This is a thoughtful poem Gary. I'll only add to what everyone has so brilliantly said, that there is such freedom in having choices. Courage too, when we dare to stand up and speak out. When we do get it wrong, hopefully it's a life lesson that influences the next choice, the next course of action or the direction we take. We don't always choose right, but it makes life interesting sometimes.

 

Great work as always Gary..

So sorry I missed this, Def... too many notifications, I guess. It's such a perfect review too! I can tell you understood the last two lines of it and what I was saying. Thank you so much, and again, sorry for the delay... you rock, Def... cheers... Gary...

Another wonderfully personal poem, Gary. Poetry is good for getting stuff out, and that's what I feel reading this one.

I agree with the other reviewers who mention 'stream of consciousness' for the overall effect here, and that the final pair of couplets work like a charm to bring the poet (and reader) back to a better place.

Thanks for posting this fascinating poem!

On 01/29/2016 06:22 AM, AC Benus said:

Another wonderfully personal poem, Gary. Poetry is good for getting stuff out, and that's what I feel reading this one.

 

I agree with the other reviewers who mention 'stream of consciousness' for the overall effect here, and that the final pair of couplets work like a charm to bring the poet (and reader) back to a better place.

 

Thanks for posting this fascinating poem!

Thanks, AC. Poetry is a great release. This one provided me with some of that, for sure, and the two final couplets were the whole point. I appreciate the review and the kind words... cheers... Gary...

So much good sense, so concisely expressed.

"Much as I can, I’ll keep making my own

Let others deal with the seeds they have sown"

yes indeed! We are not our brother's keeper

3 hours ago, Rigby Taylor said:

So much good sense, so concisely expressed.

"Much as I can, I’ll keep making my own

Let others deal with the seeds they have sown"

yes indeed! We are not our brother's keeper

Thanks, R! It's been a while since I read this one, and I'm pleased you liked it. I remember, at the time, there were a lot of choices being made around me and by me--some not so wise or commendable.   Cheers... Gary....

This is an elegant exposé of choices we make or are made for us.  The following couplets were powerful and personal for me.

Quote

Much as I can, I’ll keep making my own

Let others deal with the seeds they have sown

Quote

The sum of us lies in choices we make

It all comes down to the chances we take

Your insights and words are so exact and lovely.

9 hours ago, raven1 said:

This is an elegant exposé of choices we make or are made for us.  The following couplets were powerful and personal for me.

Your insights and words are so exact and lovely.

Thanks, Terry. I hadn't read this one in years. Glad it stands up, and that you liked it. I was learning who I was as a poet back then.