They Also Serve Themselves Who Lie in Wait

February 9, 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 began on 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 Snake, from the Snake’s point of view:

They also serve themselves who lie in wait,

However much they may be moved to strike.

Empty-headed fools do as they like,

Yielding the ill fortune they call fate.

Eventually, things fall into place

As patience reaps its ultimate reward.

Remember that the wise are rarely bored

Or restless as the game goes on apace.

For those who play it well, with subtlety,

Taking nothing as it might appear,

Having much desire and little fear,

Each moment is suspended ecstasy.

Success is sweetest when it is well earned,

Not snatched from some unmeditated wind.

All one loves may well be left behind,

Kindred of the heart or blood, not kind,

Each a lesson from which one has learned.

© 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/theyal.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’sNothing Really Wrong with Being Last

2/6: There Is NoKnowledge – Only Good Opinion

2/7: There May BeSome Who’ve Wondered Why the Rat

2/8: There’s NoSecret to Nobility

2/9: They Also Serve Themselves Who Lie in Wait

There's No Secret to Nobility

February 8, 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 began on 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 Horse, from the Horse’s point of view:

There's no secret to nobility.

Having seen it, one knows what it is:

Easy elegance, restrained but free,

Yielding grace that's more than hers or his;

Enduring loyalty to one's liege lord,

As much for love as for a sense of right;

Reverence that looks for no reward,

Out of some sweet source of inner light;

Friendship that pursues its proper end,

That needs a whole of which one can be part;

Humility, on which pride can depend,

Ever the safe refuge of the heart.

Human animals are far less able,

On the whole, to give themselves to love,

Reason being far less sure and stable,

Sensing what is real at one remove.

Even so, some few might noble 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/ther33.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

2/6: There Is No Knowledge – Only Good Opinion

2/7: There May Be Some Who’ve Wondered Why the Rat

2/8: There’s No Secret to Nobility

There May Be Some Who've Wondered Why the Rat

February 7, 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 began on 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 Rat, from the Rat’s point of view:

There may be some who've wondered why the rat

Happens to be first to have a year

Exclusively devoted to his name.

Yet clever, crafty creatures never fear:

Eventually they'll win -- that's where they're at!

And this is how it came about: The rat,

Racing for the prize, fell towards the rear.

Out of breath, he thought he'd lost the game.

Fast rampaging Bull was drawing near;

The problem was: How to reach his back?

Here came by the lost, high-leaping cat.

Eureka! Up they went, the two friends dear,

Riding on the bull's back towards fame.

At the last, Rat pushes Pussy clear,

Then leaps ahead of Bull -- and that was that!

© 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/therem.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

2/6: There Is No Knowledge – Only Good Opinion

2/7: There May Be Some Who’ve Wondered Why the Rat

There Is No Knowledge -- Only Good Opinion

February 6, 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 began on 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 Dragon, from the Dragon’s point of view:

There is no knowledge – only good opinion.

Happiness is not afraid of pain.

Each truth is limited to its dominion.

Years sweep away one's walls again, again.

Everyone knows better in their hearts,

Although their hearts know better than to know.

Reason is a razor's edge that parts

Objects from the fullness of their flow.

Fortune is a poor excuse for failure.

The only help one needs is what one gives.

Hard work and happiness extend one's tenure,

Ever more alive the more one lives.

Death is a prerequisite of time,

Revealing far more than it ever hides.

All is limitless, yet etched in lines,

Graven images of what abides.

One dragon, yes, can harmonize a song,

Needing only dreams to sing along.

© 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/ther31.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

2/6: There Is No Knowledge – Only Good Opinion

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