*****

Recorded Reading (2:09): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/s8l8ulbf556b5c340wxij/Living-the-Teachings.mp3?rlkey=lcdhczch2wx28j81unc8tv9h4&dl=0

*****

Living the Teachings

Yes, I pushed the envelope
Took a look around
That I might securely know
What it was I’d found

When at last I stumbling came
A better balance to ~
‘Twas true for each soul I can name,
Wasn’t it for you?

Sometimes got a bit confused
Sometimes got a little lost
Those who wish true wisdom gain
Ever thus must count the cost

Though try our hardest all the time
To be only perfect
That’s more than any one of us
Can from our small selves expect

And if we had succeeded
In nothing but perfection go ~
Now, in our maturity,
How much would we really know?

We’d have no comprehension
No true understanding
Of brother and of sister souls
To whom misfortune bring

A host of experiences
Unpleasant in each choice,
Not a one of which a real
Solution seems to voice

We’d have no idea
We’d possess no notion
Of any reason lofty we
Ought to show compassion

We’d blame unhappiness on he
Who suffers that unhappiness
Ungrateful for good fortune
Or own comfortable lives bless

Ay, it’s too often those in life
From narrow virtue never swerve
Who treat their every fellow man
Worse than worse than they deserve

Who harass busy waitresses,
Badger volunteers,
Always seeking to be first
And best among their peers,

Who daily go through the contortions
Of that crippled little dance
Known among the rest of us
As human intolerance

It’s those who are the readiest
With sanctimon’ious preachings
Who stumble worst when it comes time
To really live the teachings

*****

This poet presently lives at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level.

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