There's Nothing Really Wrong with Being Last

February 5, 2019

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is the Chinese, or Lunar New Year, which begins today, February 5, and this year is the Year of the Pig.

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

A poem for this Chinese, or Lunar New Year of the Pig, from the Pig’s point of view, explaining why the pig is content to be the last of the zodiac signs to have a year devoted to him:

There’s nothing really wrong with being last.

How much one loses in pursuit of first!

Each sacred soul is neither slow nor fast.

Years yield equal good to best and worst.

Each moment is too dear a sacrifice,

Alight upon the pyre of ambition,

Reduced to ashes, burned-out paradise,

Offered up to some preferred perdition.

For what could be more holy than a meal

That gives two gifts in one – both health and pleasure?

How much more satisfying, much more real

Each bite than any status one might treasure!

Pursuing some mechanical lure, the pack,

Immersed in pride, think only what they lack,

Given grace and beauty beyond measure.

© 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/ther44.html. For more poems for the Chinese, or Lunar New Year, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/chinesenewyearpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Chinese, or Lunar New Year

2/4: The Point Is Just that I Don’t See the Point

2/5: There’s Nothing Really Wrong with Being Last

The Point Is Just that I Don't See the Point

February 4, 2019

Dear Subscriber:

Each week we examine a theme from a variety of points of view. The theme for this week is the Chinese, or Lunar New Year, which begins tomorrow, February 5, and this year is the Year of the Pig.

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

A poem for the Chinese, or Lunar New Year of the Ox, from the Ox’s point of view:

The point is just that I don't see the point:

However much one wants to be turned on,

Ecstasy can put things out of joint;

Yearning is for what will soon be gone.

Each can choose content or discontent;

All are happy, if they would be so.

Revelation isn't Heaven sent;

Out of what you are comes what you know.

Forget, then, the pursuit of the sublime.

There is no thing that's needed -- all is here.

Happiness will settle in, in time,

Enduring, though the weather may turn drear.

One must plod to plow, and plow to plant.

X marks the heart, where lies all one could want.

© 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/thepoi.html. For more poems for the Chinese, or Lunar New Year, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/chinesenewyearpoems.html .

This week’s theme: Chinese, or Lunar New Year

2/4: The Point Is Just that I Don’t See the Point

Christopher

February 3, 2019

Dear Subscriber:

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

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

A name poem for Christopher, who seeks the source of peace:

Christopher's a quiet, sheltered pool

Hidden well within a garden wall.

Remembrances of fragmentary bliss

Inspire him to seek the source of peace.

Silently he meditates, while leading

The exemplary suburban life, receding

Oddly into happiness. His lease

Passes like a slow, distracted kiss.

He discovers nothing. He finds no source at all.

Each day is ground and polished like a jewel.

Regarding life, Christopher's no fool.

© 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/chris.html. For more name poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/namepoems.html .

This week’s theme: Portraits of Men

1/28: Riley

1/29: Alistair

1/30: Nathan

1/31: Jayaur

2/1: Ethan2

2/2: Seymour

2/3: Christopher

Seymour

February 2, 2019

Dear Subscriber:

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

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

A name poem for Seymour, who is devoted to seeking justice:

Seymour sees more than most can imagine.

Empathy rules his oft-hearkening heart.

Yearning for justice can open one's eyes

More often to pain than to panderer's lies.

Oceans are willing but rarely to part.

Undismayed, Seymour knows what of truth a pure passion

Running like fire through rock can impart.

© 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/seymou.html. For more name poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/namepoems.html .

This week’s theme: Portraits of Men

1/28: Riley

1/29: Alistair

1/30: Nathan

1/31: Jayaur

2/1: Ethan2

2/2: Seymour

Ethan2

February 1, 2019

Dear Subscriber:

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

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

A name poem for Ethan, for whom the speaker has an unrequited love:

Ethan is the sun that lights my moon.

There is only darkness till he shines.

Hope must wait till time our love aligns

And I reflect his heart into the gloom,

Night's sun sailing through its silver noon.

© 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/ethan2.html. For more name poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/namepoems.html .

This week’s theme: Portraits of Men

1/28: Riley

1/29: Alistair

1/30: Nathan

1/31: Jayaur

2/1: Ethan2

Jayaur

January 31, 2019

Dear Subscriber:

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

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

A name poem for Jayaur, who has performed one heroic deed:

Jayaur is the hero of the hour,

A man whose courage equaled the event.

Yet he knows the moment soon will sour

As his sweet celebrity is spent.

Underneath the fame so briefly won

Remains for good the good that he has done.

© 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/jayaur.html. For more name poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/namepoems.html .

This week’s theme: Portraits of Men

1/28: Riley

1/29: Alistair

1/30: Nathan

1/31: Jayaur

Nathan

January 30, 2019

Dear Subscriber:

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

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

A name poem for Nathan, a sad child who is very much beloved:

Nathan is a child much beloved

Although too often he seems very sad.

Through all the many things we'll never know,

Hope and love can make a child grow

As tall and green as oak in sunshine clad.

Nor should one's heart from patient faith be moved.

© 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/nathan.html. For more name poems, go to https://www.poemsforfree.com/namepoems.html .

This week’s theme: Portraits of Men

1/28: Riley

1/29: Alistair

1/30: Nathan