Valerie Cook

Why

by Valerie Cook

Tuesday 6th October 2009 1:04 pm (first posted Sunday 4th October 2009 8:48 pm)

Why when we walk through a place of un-timely beauty

Touched by seasons, but never losing that special appeal.

We hold our breath and feel uplifted and amazed.

Why when we see a child with an open innocent face and trusting eyes

We gasp and look with longing at our past innocence.

Then feel a sadness, mixed with joy for that child`s passage through life.

Why when we hear music so special that it touches our inner core

And fills our body for a brief time, with longing

As we remember with a smile or a frown lost loves.

Why do we constantly search for perfection in ourselves and others

When we have today and tomorrow to accept

That all around us, we will find less than perfection.

Why when we feel dissatisfied and sad

Don’t we balance this, with a love of life itself..

So we may find life`s imperfections no counterfoil for peace of mind.

Val Cook 2009

◄ A Mothers Soliloquy

The Tree ►

Comments

Jeff Dawson

Thu 22nd Oct 2009 21:08

Hi Val, wonderful really enjoyed this, so many questions, why? Sometimes it probably doesn't matter in the scheme of things but we do struggle for perfection rather than accept, anyway brilliant stuff Jeff X

Nichola Burrows

Tue 6th Oct 2009 13:28

This is beautifully written Val. Through some fault in our human nature the majority of us will always question why, and the difficulty is finding the balance between the lessons ( be them good or bad ) of the past with living 'in' today and 'for' the future. We only get one chance at life - except for those who believe in re-incarnation, I suppose I should say that we only get one chance at 'this' life.

Very thoughtfully written Val, I really enjoyed it.
Nicky x

Val Cook

Tue 6th Oct 2009 13:06

Thanks again everyone for your help ,its really appreciated.

<Deleted User> (5646)

Tue 6th Oct 2009 11:36

Reality and acceptance is abundant in you beautiful life and your very lovely poem Val.
Some interesting observations as to how we can turn our lives around by awareness of ourselves as well as others. :-)

Janet.x

Cynthia Buell Thomas

Tue 6th Oct 2009 11:20

The rhythm suffers a bit with the 'life's imperfections a realisation etc.'
How about - 'so we may find life's imperfections no counter foil for peace of mind'? Keeps rhythm and the word you must have liked 'foil' , and it's an interesting double negative to make a positive. Just a thought.

John Aikman

Mon 5th Oct 2009 15:03

Lovely. Just one quibble. I remember a school report of mine from many years ago, where the Woodwork teacher wrote, in perfect copperplate, that he 'wouldn't be sorry to be loosing' me next term.My father snorted with recognition of the sentiment...but did advise me that he had probably meant 'losing'. Otherwise...quite perfect.: )

Val Cook

Mon 5th Oct 2009 14:50

Yes Cynthia & Andy the last line isn`t right, what if I changing it to this ? `So we may find life`s imperfections a realisation for peace of mind.`

Andy N

Mon 5th Oct 2009 14:15

i agree with cynthia here.. do like it, Val too..

Val Cook

Mon 5th Oct 2009 14:03

Hi Cynthia.
I used "foil" as a noun - To intensify or set off by contrast.
Yes I agree dissatisfied and sad does work better.. Thanks

Cynthia Buell Thomas

Mon 5th Oct 2009 11:37

This is weighty material. I personally like the last two verses as sufficient in themselves for expressing your idea very strongly. Honestly though, I'm a bit confused with the last climactic line. If I substitute 'frustration' for 'foil' (as I understand it) then it seems as though the idea is in reverse to your intent. I may be all up a tree. If so, ignore me.
One small note: in the last verse, it would be better to balance your parts of speech either to read 'we feel dissatisfaction and sadness' or 'we feel dissatisfied and sad'. It simply reads better.

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