Murder Ought Not Ever Be a Duty

May 29, 2018

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is mourning in honor of Memorial Day, which was celebrated yesterday, May 28^th.

I welcome comments on my poems at http://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A Memorial Day poem about murder as a soldier’s duty:

Murder ought not ever be a duty,

Even though for soldiers it must be.

Maybe one is bound by love or beauty

Only after one is safe and free.

Remember, then, those who murdered for you,

Invading, burning, bombing in your name,

And those whose plain white tombstones are before you,

Long dead, with neither guilt nor pride nor shame.

Deep within the heart the cause of war,

Alive and well, assures us there'll be more,

Yielding hatred, fear, revenge, and pain.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/murder.html. For more Memorial Day poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/memorialdaypoems.html .

This week’s theme: Mourning

5/28: Memories Evoke a Painful Joy

5/29: Murder Ought Not Ever Be a Duty

Memories Evoke a Painful Joy.2

May 28, 2018

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is mourning in honor of Memorial Day, which is celebrated today, May 28^th.

I welcome comments on my poems at http://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A Memorial Day poem about the mingled joy and pain of memories:

Memories evoke a painful joy,

Evoke a harsh and bitter tenderness.

Maybe that's the price of happiness:

One loves what time or tempest will destroy.

Remember, then, those whom you have loved

In mingled joy and sorrow. Sing a song

As beautiful as is your love, and mourn

Like one who is by some chance blessing moved.

Days of mourning are a celebration,

A dance whose healing grace sustains relation,

Yielding grief that will redemptive prove.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/memor3.html. For more Memorial Day poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/memorialdaypoems.html .

This week’s theme: Mourning

5/28: Memories Evoke a Painful Joy

Thank You for Your Love Throughout the Years

May 27, 2018

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week in honor of the many college graduations taking place this month is graduation.

I welcome comments on my poems at http://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A graduation and thank-you poem from the graduate to his or her parents:

Thank you for your love throughout the years.

How else could I become what I've become?

All your plans and hopes and even fears

Now come together in what I have done.

Know that I am grateful for your love.

Your hard work is mirrored now in mine.

On you all my accomplishments must shine.

Underneath my pride, your spirits move.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/thank5.html. For more graduation poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/graduationpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Graduation

5/21: Congratulations on Your Doctorate

5/22: Graduates Are People with Degrees

5/23: Happiness Does Not Depend on Weather

5/24: How Many Times You Almost Lost Your Way

5/25: The Happiness I Feel at Your Achievements

5/26: Give a Little Thought to What Comes Next

5/27: Thank You for Your Love Throughout theYears

Give a Little Thought to What Comes Next

May 26, 2018

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week in honor of the many college graduations taking place this month is graduation.

I welcome comments on my poems at http://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A graduation poem about what might make one’s education meaningful:

Give a little thought to what comes next.

Remember: education isn't training.

A person needs to struggle with a text,

Delving into truths beyond explaining.

Understanding means you must go under,

And make your own the ground on which you stand.

The urge to learn comes from a sense of wonder

Ill-served in those who like their knowledge canned.

Open up your mind so that your soul

Not be confined to one small, shallow bowl.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/giveal.html. For more graduation poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/graduationpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Graduation

5/21: Congratulations on Your Doctorate

5/22: Graduates Are People with Degrees

5/23: Happiness Does Not Depend on Weather

5/24: How Many Times You Almost Lost Your Way

5/25: The Happiness I Feel at Your Achievements

5/26: Give a Little Thought to What Comes Next

The Happiness I Feel at Your Achievements

May 25, 2018

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week in honor of the many college graduations taking place this month is graduation.

I welcome comments on my poems at http://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A graduation poem for two friends, both graduating, who share their pride and pleasure:

The happiness I feel at your achievements

Reflects the happiness you feel at mine.

Friends expand the pleasure of such moments,

As mine in yours, and yours in mine, combine.

The same when we look forward to our futures:

So much more unfolds when there are two!

Populating your proposed adventures

Gives me a joy that mine must give to you.

We've been through much, and will be through much more,

But traveling together is more fun.

Whatever life and love may have in store,

Two is always preferable to one.

Your graduation thus becomes for me

Far more sweet than mine alone would be.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/happi3.html. For more graduation poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/graduationpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Graduation

5/21: Congratulations on Your Doctorate

5/22: Graduates Are People with Degrees

5/23: Happiness Does Not Depend on Weather

5/24: How Many Times You Almost Lost Your Way

5/25: The Happiness I Feel at Your Achievements

How Many Times You Almost Lost Your Way

May 24, 2018

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week in honor of the many college graduations taking place this month is graduation.

I welcome comments on my poems at http://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A graduation poem comparing a student to a rat in a maze:

How many times you almost lost your way,

About to leave the maze in pure frustration,

Indignant at extrinsic motivation,

Learning not enough to want to stay …

The rat must sometimes hate the proffered cheese,

Open to the eye but not the tongue,

The prize that makes him learn which colored rung

Has the power his torturers to please.

Even so, so much that you have learned

(Granted not the whole, but some good part)

Resonates within the mind and heart,

A legacy that now you've fully earned.

Drab though some of life may yet still prove,

Unbind those restive dreams that you employ!

All roads, no matter whither, lead to joy,

Though none will take you there unless you love.

Each maze becomes a garden when you love.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/howman.html. For more graduation poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/graduationpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Graduation

5/21: Congratulations on Your Doctorate

5/22: Graduates Are People with Degrees

5/23: Happiness Does Not Depend on Weather

5/24: How Many Times You Almost Lost Your Way

Happiness Does Not Depend on Weather

May 23, 2018

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week in honor of the many college graduations taking place this month is graduation.

I welcome comments on my poems at http://nicholasgordon.blogspot.com .

A graduation poem about joy through good and bad weather:

Happiness does not depend on weather,

Although it sometimes helps to see the sun.

Perhaps one finds one’s best landscape within,

Precisely where one's labor is one's joy.

Yearning finds fulfillment in compassion.

Given the uncertainties of weather,

Rain and night in league against the sun,

All must find their happiness within,

Depending on their love of life for joy,

United by the bonds of their compassion.

And all should value knowledge, regardless whether

Their learning gives them more sweet days of sun.

In knowledge there’s a brighter sun within,

Opening one’s heart and mind to joy,

Necessary cradle of compassion.

© by Nicholas Gordon

If you enjoyed this poem, please like, comment on, or share it so that it might be seen and enjoyed by others. To see this poem on my site, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/happ22.html. For more graduation poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/graduationpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Graduation

5/21: Congratulations on Your Doctorate

5/22: Graduates Are People with Degrees

5/23: Happiness Does Not Depend on Weather