I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

1 September 2017

Respect (Argument)

Let's spread respect today. Let's show it and praise it and trouble it and mend it. – Susan Chast

1.

Let’s get real on Unconditional Love. How can we
spread it to all those we can never like, admire,
respect or approve? Look around – evil abounds.
Today the world is full of the mad and the hateful.

Let’s admit, the task is impossible. They hurt me! 
Show me how I can find love for those people.
It’s not a thing I can feel for them, not for them,
and you shouldn’t ask it. I must defend myself.

2.

Praise be, love is not a feeling; that’s a myth.
It is a choice, an attitude, a set of actions,
and we must not mistake it for softness of heart.
Trouble and hurt and evil will come. Nevertheless

it is possible to show respect, even kindness.
Then we do not ourselves grow hateful. We can
mend the broken, even though we must not yield.
It is respect which is the true Unconditional Love.


Written (simultaneously) for Poets United's Midweek Motif ~ Respect and dVerse's Meeting the Bar – the Acrostic. (This is a first word acrostic, using the words quoted.) It also grew out of a recent discussion in the local women's Wisdom Circle, on unconditional love.

21 comments:

  1. Very nice example of a first word acrostic based on a quote. Unconditional love is a challenge. I like how you illustrated that challenge with the two parts, the first showing the need for defense against those generating harm outside oneself and the second showing the need not to become hateful, another kind of defense directed toward harm coming from within.

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  2. Love how you really broke down the impossibility of love... many great lines... but most of all I liked this:

    love is not a feeling; that’s a myth. It is a choice

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  3. Beautifully drawn acrostic from a meaningful quote!

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  4. This is very clever, as an acrostic, and very wise in its message. Yes, when we cannot show love to the hateful, we can remain respectful in our beings, not sinking to their levels. I love the acknowledgment that love is not a feeling, but a choice, and a set of actions. Cool.

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  5. You have woven a powerful message and I think the form was artfully crafted.

    Praise be, love is not a feeling; that’s a myth.
    It is a choice, an attitude, a set of actions,

    Indeed it is a choice, let's hope more people choose love.

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  6. I am with you, all the way. - "It is a choice, an attitude, a set of actions"
    It is thoughts like these that will usher in the better days.

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  7. In the current climate a difficult challenge, but one I am always working on. It's an uphill battle at times if I am honest.

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  8. Unconditional love is a concept for a higher being which none of us are. I think the indoctrination process ( both new age and religious ) which has pushed this concept is dangerous.The Christian concept of 'love' and the term is used very loosely ,was never meant to be unconditional. " Turn the other cheek" is often a misinterpretation of scripture for controllers to produce a bunch of doormats.It means not to hate, be merciful to your opponents and not to behave like them and in a way that is one aspect of respectful behaviour minus the admiration facet.There is 'just' anger and 'just' war. I suppose it is a question of semantics philosophy religious and ideological affiliations which determine our thoughts or for most the current prevailing mores of the times by way of the media.Good poem and thought provoking subject.

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    1. And a thought-provoking comment too, thank you rall.

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  9. A very skilful acrostic poem incorporating a thought provoking quote. In my experience we can differentiate between behaviour and a person, in other words still find something to love unconditionally about a person without condoning certain behaviours. I found this particularly eye opening when running meditation workshops inside a women's prison.

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  10. Oh wow...so nicely done...the thoughts and the poetry form....

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  11. "Praise be, love is not a feeling; that’s a myth. . . . It is respect which is the true Unconditional Love." Yes, yes, yes! You teach me. I love the question and answer pattern of this poem, and that you divide it by number so we can feel the passion in each. So many of us are moved by feelings of revulsion that we cannot find the kernel of God within to respect and celebrate in broken humans. And I am not sure still, how much evil should be spared, or who should throw those stones. It certainly hurts the souls of those chosen to intervene if they have to act like angry gods.

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  12. This cannot be discussed enough, I think. I applaud your messages in this unique form.

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  13. Thank you for the uplifting and true message of this poem.

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  14. I love that you picked a different sort of acrostic! You, are the queen of originality, Rosemary! You broke the mold! Enjoy your Saturday!

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  15. I like the message in this and the quote. Like Jesus, who did love unconditionally, we should choose love and respect together. You brought that message so well. I hope more people will choose (unconditional) love and respect. You certainly do! :-)

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  16. So sorry to respond so late Rosemary.

    I truly respect and admire the attitude to this highest ideal of love here: "It is a choice, an attitude, a set of actions, / and we must not mistake it for softness of heart."

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    1. No apologies necessary, Sumana. I am often quite late in responding to others' posts. We all have lives. and pressures, and we can only do what we can only do. I know you have the aftermath of flood to contend with just now! Thank you for your lovely comment.

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  17. So few truly value the respect and mistake it for weakness.

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