Selfishness and Selflessness

August 22, 2018

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is sacrifice in honor of Eid al-Adha, which this year is celebrated on August 21-22.

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

A set of proverbs about selfish and unselfish sacrifice:

SELFISHNESS AND SELFLESSNESS

1. The last vestige of egotism is the desire for self-sacrifice.

2. The reward for self-sacrifice is self-adulation.

3. The desire to "make a difference" is a desire for personal significance, the cause of much evil, error, and pain.

4. True selflessness requires one to relinquish the desire for power.

5. The motivations for action ought always to be joy and 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/selfis.html. For more proverbs, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/proverbs.html .

This week’s theme: Sacrifice

8/20: Eric

8/21: Even as You Sacrifice Yourself

8/22: Selfishness and Selflessness

Even as You Sacrifice Yourself

August 21, 2018

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is sacrifice in honor of Eid al-Adha, which this year is celebrated on August 21-22.

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

A poem for Eid al-Adha about sacrifice as a gift:

Even as you sacrifice yourself,

In love with love and gratified to give,

Dancing 'cross the ancient inner gulf

Athwart the plain on which each soul must live,

Long-borne burdens lighten into prayer,

Acts of worship meant as acts of care,

Done freely out of gratitude and grace,

Hard - yes, hard - and far more than your share,

And still a gift no pleasure can replace.

© 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/evena3.html. For more poems about Eid al-Adha, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/eidaladhapoems.html .

This week’s theme: Sacrifice

8/20: Eric

8/21: Even as You Sacrifice Yourself

Eric

August 20, 2018

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is sacrifice in honor of Eid al-Adha, which this year is celebrated on August 21-22.

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

A name poem for someone who sacrificed his life to save another:

Eric gave his life to save another,

Refusing to reduce it to his breath.

In his time of truth he faced his shudder,

Choosing life by going to his death.

© 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/eric.html. For more poems about ethics, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/philosophicalpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Sacrifice

8/20: Eric

Sweet Sixteens Are Harbingers of Grace

August 19, 2018

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is birthdays.

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

A birthday poem that serves as an invitation to a sweet sixteen party:

Sweet Sixteens are harbingers of grace,

Intimations of a childhood's end,

Xxx's on the envelope of time.

This invitation I to you extend,

Easy in the rush of time and place,

Expecting in the moment's silver chime

No more than just a glimpse of life to come.

© 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/swee16.html. For more birthday poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/birthdaypoems.html .

This week’s theme: Birthdays

8/13: Seven Years! That’s Not So Long

8/14: Aileen

8/15: Happy Birthday to My Cyber Friend

8/16: You See the Beauty of Your Years

8/17: Darcy Is Five

8/18: Quince Is the Sunrise of a Woman

8/19: Sweet Sixteens Are Harbingers of Grace

Quince Is the Sunrise of a Woman

August 18, 2018

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is birthdays.

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

A fifteenth birthday poem (in Hispanic culture similar to the sixteenth birthday in the U.S.):

Quince is the sunrise of a woman

Underneath a starry sky of love.

In her again life's gift of youthful grace

New dawns across the ancient family face,

Charming in a way the years will prove,

Eager to translucent skies illumine.

© 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/quinc2.html. For more birthday poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/birthdaypoems.html .

This week’s theme: Birthdays

8/13: Seven Years! That’s Not So Long

8/14: Aileen

8/15: Happy Birthday to My Cyber Friend

8/16: You See the Beauty of Your Years

8/17: Darcy Is Five

8/18: Quince Is the Sunrise of a Woman

Darcy Is Five

August 17, 2018

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is birthdays.

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

A fifth birthday poem:

Darcy is five!

Oh me, oh my!

Can someone please

Tell me why?

Why isn't she four,

Or three, or two,

Or six, or seven?

Please tell me, do!

But five is good.

Five's OK.

Now why can't she

Stay that way?

© 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/darcyi.html. For more birthday poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/birthdaypoems.html .

This week’s theme: Birthdays

8/13: Seven Years! That’s Not So Long

8/14: Aileen

8/15: Happy Birthday to My Cyber Friend

8/16: You See the Beauty of Your Years

8/17: Darcy Is Five

You See the Beauty of Your Years

August 16, 2018

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is birthdays.

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

A birthday poem for a parent wishing him or her a bit of silent grace:

You see the beauty of your years,

I hope. With all your children's love,

This day must bring you happy tears

And tranquil thoughts that joyful prove.

I hope, with all your children's love,

There is a refuge all your own,

And tranquil thoughts that joyful prove

Beyond the family you call home.

There is a refuge all your own

Amid the crowds of time and place,

Beyond the family you call home,

Where you are in the grip of grace.

Amid the crowds of time and place,

This day must bring you happy tears.

Where you are in the grip of grace,

You see the beauty of your years.

© 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/yousee.html. For more birthday poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/birthdaypoems.html .

This week’s theme: Birthdays

8/13: Seven Years! That’s Not So Long

8/14: Aileen

8/15: Happy Birthday to My Cyber Friend

8/16: You See the Beauty of Your Years