The Game Played and 45 of 81, Poems from the Tao, Poetry, Spoken Words and Thoughts on Choosing Sides

prydefoltz (65)in #poetry • 5 years ago

The Game Played

Times are tumultuous. Things are changing rapidly, moving forward and reverting back. Steem has split and a new Hive is born. Fear of a contagion breaks some apart and brings some closer together. The wise see clearer and understand what is worth keeping, what is worth nurturing, and what was never worth fighting for to begin with. Maybe even ... that fighting is rarely worth it and a misuse of energy and resources ... that no matter what you are fighting for, it will weaken you. Strength is only rebuilt when the fighting stops and the nurturing begins again.

Or maybe ... I just need to pick a side and hope its the winning one.

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The Game Played

gamblers, trestle up
before claiming your seat
at the table
make sure the crescendo
of your cha-ching
doesn’t overwhelms the cut
of your bustle

fortune will play sleight of hand
lending thoughtless ninnies
faux-grace and knave-like masculinity
take heart …
a diamond or clover

and remember
even the luckiest fool
with a horseshoe-affected shuffle
can be beaten by the bluff
of a spade-wielding scoundrel

(Published in Monsters, Avatars, and Angels. Link can be found at the bottom of the post. The poem was originally conceived on steemit.)

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The problem ... sides are illusions. If the spread of a virus tells you anything ... there are no sides and there are no borders. We are in this together, no matter how badly or kindly we treat each other.

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45 of 81

The beauty of landscape is best comprehended
With a long view

Each part pales to the sum of its whole
Seeming imperfections blend perfectly
From space the earth is naught but beauty

No view is ever long enough
To take in the complete beauty of the Tao
If you see anything but beauty
Take a step back

The master does not care for perfection
He trusts only the work of the Tao is ever done

Spoken Word

(Published in 81, Poems from the Tao. Link found at the bottom.)

***

If we treat each other well, we grow stronger; if we war among ourselves; we become easy pickings for death and destruction. So what really matters then ... how we treat each other and not what happens and not what imaginary side your pick. Everything else is just a game. Enjoy the game, but don't let it fool you into believing you can win while another loses. And don't let it convince you to destroy our true strength ... the love and kindness we grow together. It is all one garden. I will not be picking sides or enemies. Put another way ... I pick you but not just you. My advice ... nurture what you love; keep it strong; don't weaken it with warring within.

All words and images are my own. Click on any images below if you would like to read more or support my writing.

Disclosure ... this was also posted on the new Hive. Given its message, perhaps you may understand. In the future, I will endeavour vary my post between platforms. Wishing everyone success.