Like Phoenix from the Ashes
Modern society worships success
Always in action, always under stress
You, my dear, don’t obey to this rule
That’s why they label you a fool
They belittle you and call you crazy
Some consider you a failure and lazy
Don’t worry, your soul speaks in signs
Its timing is perfectly designed
When you abide by conventional norms
You may have a life without major storms
But you allow society to shape you
Don’t betray what for you is right and true
Good times are for recreation
Though pleasant, they mean stagnation
Hardships bring defeat into your life
They also help you to evolve and strive
Both are two sides of the same coin
Choose carefully which one to join
Everything is God’s precious gift
Yet without troubles you won’t make a shift
Take courage, be confident and embark
On your hero’s journey out of the dark
Even facing the Dark Night of the Soul
Never stop before you reach your goal
Dance in the blazing fire of your pain
Get transformed, it will not be in vain
Like Phoenix from the ashes you will rise
More resilient, experienced and wise!
This is inspiring. Like the phoenix you will rise from the ashes. More resilient experience and wise. Love that stanza
Thank you very much, dear Fia! I’m happy that I was able to inspire you!
How does that quote go? “To thy own self be true”? From Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, I believe. As I was reading your poem Sappho, I thought, who else could we be, but ourselves. We may conform to social norm, but this would still be our choice to do so, still ourself, no one else. I think it is sometimes very hard to buck the system, to do the right thing. Someone or something may guide your thinking and or actions, but it is still you, yourself who decides to do this. In reading your poem, I arrived at Hamlet and thought, who else could I be but myself. And then I thought, even rising from the ashes has consequences and responsibilities. I think perhaps another question might be, are we willing to own up to those responsibilities and consequences?
I enjoyed reading your poem Sappho, it gave me a lot to consider. And it also made me appreciate who I am and want to be. Thank you for sharing.
Curt
Yes it is always ourselves who make the decision. But is it really our own decision or do we speak and act like we do just to please someone else or to parrot common sense broadcasted on TV? In my experience, it can be very challenging to stay true to your real self and speak your truth, even when the people close to you have a different opinion.
Thank you so much for reading and giving your thoughtful and kind comment, dear Curt!
Too few essay such thoughts, thank you for echoing truths we are forgetting 🌼
I am also very grateful for texts that inspire me and make me think. Thank you very much for reading and commenting, dear Joe!
Being human is a poisoned chalice from which we all drink.It can give so much but demands a fee.
Your poem goes do a deeper problem about how mindlessly we wander through our precious days.
Well done Elke 🙏
Wow Peter! Human life as a poisoned chalice is a mind blowing metaphor! To drink or not to drink – that’s the question! : -) thanks a lot for reading and your awesome comment, dear Peter!
You remind me of Willow, who kept telling me the same thing when it seemed like my drumbeat was entirely different than everyone else’s, when my darkness almost engulfed me, when my successes seemed so much smaller compared to everyone else’s.
Now I never look back.
This poem could only be written by someone who had to live through everything you wrote also.
When the high waves of life try to drown you, you have only two options- to give up or to mobilize all your resources and swim! In the process of learning to swim and standing up for myself, I learned many great lessons about gratitude, forgiveness, and the importance of helping and loving one another.
Thank you so much for sharing a glimpse of your personal experience, and of course for your kind comment, dear Her!
Fun Fact: I burned my feet pretty bad in a fire when I was a kid. It sucked. LOL. It was just one of several shitty things I endured. Yet it did indeed make me a stronger person as I grew up. We choose our outlook. And that outlook finds the path.
Your write is an awesome testament to that. It could be printed and carried in one’s pocket before undertaking a particular task. This is a great example as to why we write. It builds our character, too.
Very inspiring write.
Thank you very much for sharing your childhood experience. Yes it’s true, every person we meet and every experience comes with a lesson to learn for us. When I get upset about a person and what they said or did,I ask myself: which learning task is presented me here? What does the situation mirror me about myself that I haven’t been able to realize up to this moment?
Thank you, dear Styxian, for reading and writing this kind and meaningful commen
Very motivating. The world will kick your butt if you let it. Great ink.
Yes but it’s not only to save your ass from being kicked, most of all you do it to develope yourself and to stand upright in your own truth.
Thanks a lot for reading and writing this kind and appreciative comment, dear Nick!
A truly magical and inspiring piece of poetry Elke. You have a gift when you write poetry. Nice work.
Thank you so much for your kind and appreciative comment, dear Keith!
You are a fabulous writer Elke.
It’s always nice to fall into the cooling water.💚
Thank you very much for the compliment, dear Jim!
I hope to read one of your writings soon!
It does take courage to go against the norm.
You don’t know what you’re made of until it turns messy.
But that feeling of getting burned is its own form of motivation.
To rise in spite of having the wind nocked out of you.
Righteous write!
Yes it’s not easy to stay true to yourself and swim against the stream, but it’s worth it.
Thanks a lot for reading and writing such kind comment. Adelphina!
Powerfully penned, Elke. Excellent write my friend very inspirational indeed. Appreciate you.
Damian
Thanks a lot for reading and writing such kind comment. Adelphina!