What You See…Depends on Your Perspective
What do you see,
frozen in the chill of night,
shaking from the effects of malnutrition,
the disdain of harsh judgement,
and the oppression of governments
who refuse to accept your circumstance
as anything but your own fault,
and regardless of conditions
cut you off as your status crosses
some imaginary line of acceptance?
What do you see
as you sip your French Champagne,
nibble on Imperial Caviar
and look with disgust at the homeless person
hunched up across the road
from the ‘five star’ restaurant
within which you are currently dining,
and after social etiquette, inane conversation
and tending puffed up egos,
your stomach is as bloated as your head?
What do you see
when you can bare no more pain,
no more epiphanies of self realization,
and the world now appears exactly as it is,
filled with narcissistic, blind and loveless beings
who live life for themselves and no-one else,
care about how they look
rather than who they are,
and pursue possessions more than love
in the vane attempt of finding happiness?
What do you see,
and from which perspective
do you align yourself,
knowing that happiness is not governed by wealth,
material possessions, power, influence
or any other pursuit other than
the decision of being happy,
which depends not on anything,
just the will to smile,
to share and to love this life given?
Tony DeLorger © 2017
Website: my books for review and purchase
videos on YouTube and book sales on website thoughtsforabeautifulmind.com, Amazon and digitalprintaustralia.com.au/bookstore
- Brutal Night - March 30, 2021
- Like a Breeze Recalls - March 27, 2021
- Torrents - September 5, 2020
Very well-written, Tony. I so understand this contrast in perspective. I have gone through three phases of different levels in society. I had all I needed in my marriage, nice home, fun with our friends at parties, nice expensive dinners out – then starving myself so my kids could eat after the divorce and desperately trying to find ways to make money to feed my kids and pay rent. Now I am retired, living small and quiet, but have the necessities I need. It is hard to see the homeless, for I was almost there with two children. Your poem really brings out the reality of life on different levels. Great work!
Phyllis I truly commend you on your strength to prevail, I too have had my struggles. My dear mama, bore the brunt of all of our pain, growing up in poverty and she with all the strength and willpower to succeed and ensure her children me and my six siblings made it out of the gutter we lived in. Life prevails, we fight the good fight to survive and even though we may live small, our lives are blessed with a poets heart of acceptance. Peace my dear lady.
Vincent, you have touched my heart with your lovely comment. I thank you, dear poet. Yes, we both have been there and rose above it – warriors we are.
Thanks Phyllis, yes it is a good perspective to gain, as experience levels our ideas to see more completely the truth. Cheers!
Tony, your keen eye has picked up the scenes and crafted them brilliantly. Indeed the Kings and Queens live high on the hog and many shun the poor beggars in the street, not offering up even a mere pittance of their time or kindness, which they have none of either. I ensure whenever I walk the streets, I’ve filled my pocket with loose change I save in a jar in my kitchen cupboard, these offerings go to those who put out their cap, cup or hand with sadness in their hearts and souls. I never question what they do with what I offer, if it helps them get through the day, that’s all I care about. I hear the con over and over again, it’s music to my ears. Give unconditionally is my motto.
From a kind and understanding heart, all too familiar with how circumstance can change in life and that we are all one, in the end. Much appreciated my friend.