The wisdom of folly—a poem
The wisdom of folly
Some days I'm wise not from natural goodness but by some lucky fluke and other days I cannot even guess at what is wise. I cannot see it cannot know it, cannot do it surely cannot be it. Wisdom. It defies our efforts to define it. When we say, "That's wise" perhaps we mean that we agree with some advice or wish it to be true. But once in a while someone will rule a line between the truth and lazy lies straighten all our leanings settle all our fevered doubts at once with a noble certainty a brutal certainty. Then pause! Be cautious: nobody is infinitely wise. Better to accommodate some folly than to be always right always the sage. ~ Rachel McAlpine 2021
That’s a first second draft of an instant poem and it will change again or disappear. Maybe it should be called The folly of absolute wisdom?
May you find the happiness within this holiday season.
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I love your instant poems.
That’s good to hear, Anne. When they arrive before breakfast it’s almost alarming!
A lot of ‘wisdom’ is either lessons learnt from mistakes, caution before leaping to a conclusion, or stepping back and double-checking that things are the way you thought they were. Plus the odd lucky fluke from time to time. 🙂
Some (all?) psychologists see wisdom as a character trait, but if so, it’s surely very rare.
My wisdom is usually from remembering and not repeating past mistakes. But sometimes, I just make a guess and end up lucky!
I think that’s a fundamental factor of wisdom!
Any wisdom I have exhibited has been purely coincidental.
I hope you have a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas Rachel and a happy, healthy New Year.
Same here. And also debatable. Thank you, Peter. I wish the same good things for yourself.
Hello Rachel. I am still waiting for the wisdom that comes with age. Waiting… Waiting. Have a happy Christmas and maybe will catch up in the New Year, two elderly Wellingtonian’s.
I so agree! Old age has arrived alone without that hoped-for wisdom. (Yes — And bloggers.)
There is so much I relate to in this poem. I think many of us sometimes feel clueless on some days and an expert on others. One thing I try to be consistent in is self-love. Otherwise, we’re hard on ourselves when we don’t always know or aren’t perfect.
That seems like an excellent choice when we have so many chances to be foolish.
I also feel that it is largely luck when a wise comment comes out of my mouth.
Hear hear! There’s nobody more astonished than me when it happens
“Not knowing when the dawn will come I open every door.” … Emily Dickinson ..
Welcome to Emily: please visit often
I enjoyed your poem, recognised and empathised with the theme. Festive greetings to all and wishes for a peaceful, healthier 2022. And an under the chin tickle and rub for Ursula, in honour of the season.
That’s such a welcome message, Alison. Of course I will pass on your tickle and rub to Ursula. Have a happy day!
I was going to comment on the demise of Classic Editor but it looks like Comments are closed–or at least from my end. So, continuing off topic, I never liked Block Editor and still use Classic Editor. I think it’s only available if you jump through a few hoops of upgrading. I like it because everything I do is easy to get to and I’m used to it. It seemed to me that Block Editor was somehow limiting my options and cumbersome.