Life in Poetry

Aug. 21, 2022

The Antidote

These days I find myself oscillating madly between rage and despair. Rage at the stupidity of our species in its devouring of the planet and despair that it is too late. My default response is to dissociate remove myself into some sort of la la land, become the ostrich, excuse myself from the struggle on the grounds of age or this mess is the inheritance of the young. So I need some solid ground on which to stand so I don’t sink into the morass. One of these platforms is the present, the here and now, appreciation for what is before me, that counteracts the awfulness, a mindset that allows me to go on, to see what can be done in spite of everything. So here is a little snippet of observation captured recently. Read, enjoy, pass it on and give me some feedback.

Comments

Clíodhna

22.08.2022 08:41

I think holding the vision of a better world helps make the world better.

Latest comments

25.11 | 22:15

Grief is experience through the mundane. Simple but powerful. The accompanying image really compliments the poem.

07.11 | 11:14

Hi Peter,

A great observation! Social media can be a scary place... I also need to reduce my time there

Hugs,

John.x

06.11 | 16:24

A great one, Peter, in the context you describe. I don't read social media myself, I doubt my equilibrium could stand it. 'The balance of his mind disturbed' yes, I think it would be.

06.11 | 15:59

Yes, gossip is a weapon of mass destruction.

In my business as well as personal life I have zero tolerance.

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Echoes of the Old on the New Battlefields

 

Warrior chiefs of the GAA were early on the field to prepare:

Posts and cones positioned to mark territories

 

Very young novices came later by parents’ chariots

clad and shod for the ensuing battles

 

Firstly, paced for speed, resilience and flexibility,

then marked off into opposing teams

 

Each warrior chief led a young squad of hopefuls

in further exercises to bring them to fit levels

 

There followed a huddle, an exhortation rant,

responded with clamour of intent and enthusiasm

 

Skirmishes began, speed across the field, hunt for the ball,

to be delivered as the goal, or to be prevented at all costs

 

Warrior chiefs egged on, instructed, altered the field of play

the young ’uns complied with fighting spirit

 

For every fall and hurt spells were cast on the side line

till fitness returned and they were entered back into play

 

Scores mounted, roars enhanced, casualties grew,

novices flagged and regrouped across the fields

 

Between bouts came the talks of encouragement

Stay back, pass, pass, pass, keep the pace.

 

Old hands passing skill onto new palms with dedication,

a gift of generous wisdom gladly given

 

Peter Clarke

20th April 2024