Cranking up the starting
handle every day,
The old engine has a lethargic
splutter now.
Casings and framework slightly
weakened,
Years of journeying
revealed in this lassitude.
Veins of knowledge strive to
remain active,
Literary companionship
pleases and rewards.
Politics and worldly
pressures infiltrate peace,
Weary of unending hatred
and warmongering.
Simplicity of living has
eroded in most aspects,
Pace is galloped without
seeing the passing view.
Considerations of choice
have been lambasted,
Nervous voices mute any
discord or discomforts.
The mode is plodding
onwards with head down,
New ways rollercoaster previously
held practices.
The goodwill of
neighbourliness much fragmented,
Methinks life struggles to
sustain any magnanimity.
©Copyright Eileen T O’Neill 04/06/2015
Poets United Mid-Week
Motif: ‘Sustainability.’..
I thought that was quite lovely!
ReplyDeleteSimplicity of living has eroded in most aspects,
ReplyDeletePace is galloped without seeing the passing view.
In times like these.. people have forgotten the simple way of living.. and thus prefer the glamorous lifestyle.. they are so obsessed with keeping pace that there's no time to stop and observe nature.. let alone offer some aid.
A very deep and profound piece..!
Lots of love,
Sanaa
Oh to go back to the crank handled motor engine...if we break down processes..really stop and think how we live.. now would really seem ludicrous to most eyes..
ReplyDeleteThe erosion and fragmentation of which you speak has to be attended to. In this condition, what can we heal? Together, earth and we can regain our proper proportion and magnanimity. The awareness of your poem is a good place to begin.
ReplyDeleteWow. You packed a lot into this poem Eileen. You unveil the truth here.
ReplyDelete"Weary of unending hatred and warmongering."...hope this will come to an end someday and a new journey of healing begin...every line is a sketch of reality....all we can do is hope against hope...
ReplyDeleteGreat imagery, the feeling of rushing wad well expressed.
ReplyDeletetruly! Life really struggles to sustain any magnanimity. This poem had a lot of depth. Loved it, Eileen :)
ReplyDelete'Pace is galloped without seeing the passing view.' ~ this line saying so much for me...many of us don't live in present, worrying about past and fearing of future, the present passes us unnoticed....beautifully expressed.
ReplyDeleteA bleak view, for which unfortunately there is much evidence.
ReplyDeleteEach step forward is also a step back as we lose the value of hard work always expecting a quick fix. Let's Google all our problems, there must be a answer somewhere!
ReplyDeleteYes, so often we struggle to maintain a great mind and a bigger picture of the acceleration of 'progress' in our lifestyles. Food for thought.
ReplyDeleteI see that this has changed since my youth: "The goodwill of neighbourliness much fragmented" - time to bring that back.
ReplyDeleteWalking the fine line to the future. You capture this.
ReplyDeleteEach meaningful line of your poem could launch another complete poem, I think. I am struck by the mention of the galloping pace of time. How can we change this & enjoy the view? Thank goodness for those literary escapes which give us a bit of escape from the world's turmoil. Plodding onward with head down - I hope this changes to moving forward with head up & eyes on the goal. Enjoy your week, Eileen!
ReplyDeleteSimplicity of living has eroded in most aspects,
ReplyDeletePace is galloped without seeing the passing view.
Considerations of choice have been lambasted,
Nervous voices mute any discord or discomforts.
Things seem to be under stressful mode with lots of moments unsure. This can impact directly on the conservative lifestyle. Great lines Eileen!
Hank
"Methinks life struggles to sustain any magnanimity"... ,methinks too!!
ReplyDeleteMethinks life struggles to sustain any magnanimity. - methinks too!!
ReplyDeleteVery true..hard to hold together the world's chaos
ReplyDeleteWe went looking at old cars yesterday, they are a wonder to explore. I wonder at our progress at times as well. Have we carried with us the things we will need to sustain life. The neighborliness, is rather heart breaking these days as it is not always evident. You need only look as far as our online communities to see that, at times.
ReplyDeleteVery relatable...right from the difficulty of, "Cranking up the starting handle every day" to the struggle, "to sustain any magnanimity." Yup, methinks too!!
ReplyDeleteThe society's machinery seems to have come to a halt indeed... a chilling set of truths,, yet they all point back at us.
ReplyDeleteYour closing line says it all, my friend, to perfection. Well done!
ReplyDeleteFabulous...'Pace is galloped without seeing the passing view.'
ReplyDeleteDonna@LivingFromHappiness
...and we manage to keep our head up. Another great snapshot of life.
ReplyDeleteZQ
Lots of layers in this insightful commentary on the alienation of modern life - some very intelligent concerns and observations, skillfully rendered.
ReplyDeleteThis made me ponder, and I uttered yes those are quite an observation. Sustainability is really difficult to define especially with the demands of changing times
ReplyDeleteWe have failed to sustain cultural, emotional, religious and family values, not only environmental ones, Eilleen. I think your poem looking back towards those more fortunate, slower, more dignified times highlights these losses with poignancy.
ReplyDelete