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Hi All,
Pleas read this...

Sheep

This flock, so naive. How is it they flourish?
They've long traded their hearts and their souls
For Desire, and Greed, and Material goals
They inhibit their feelings, are restrained in their thoughts
Trapped... in their day-in, day-out routines
Only free
In their dreams

Designing their lives and ideals
On the basis and style of the social regime
Concealed beneath their shrouds of projected images
Acquired from those they admire and respect
They hide in their technology, and yearn for immortality
Instead of just living for Fun

Indoctrinated by religion and culture from birth
Herded, like sheep, unaware of their worth
Forgotten... The beauty, of Nature and Trust
Forgotten... Of Love, replaced Her with Lust

They adhere to their Gods, in times of unrest
Ignorant of their hypocritical faith
For, was it not those very same Gods, that they call out to
That caused their miseries
In the first bloody place?

Gone! Has the balance, our ancestors shared
In its place groweth Chaos, War and Despair
On the brink of extinction, with eyes still wide shut
They indulge, in their passion of worth
For them, it will surely feel worse

The answers to questions that haunt them to death
Are plain to see and hear
But they cannot see and cannot hear
For they are content
Are they not?

Cursing, of neighbours, and putting up shelves
Planning their evenings, by what's on TV
Caught-up in themselves
Afraid to be free, Only...Enough!...
Just live, and let live
And just say what you see

What do you think this verse is saying? To whom does it apply? And, are you anywhere to be found in the verse?

I will be grateful for any and all views on this. It is widely known already, but I'd like the A2K'rs view???

Thank you, and be fruitious.
Mark...

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Type: Question • Score: 2 • Views: 7,956 • Replies: 19

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Hi Mark, hope you're having a great weekend!

"Forgotten... The beauty, of Nature and Trust
Forgotten... Of Love, replaced Her with Lust"

I love these lines. So true. I'm in the midst of an effort with similar themes to this poem, and will be glad to share when I finish.

Smile

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Keep looking down your nose at people so much, you're gonna go cross-eyed.

2 Replies

@George,

Writing down his observations isn't looking down his nose. He's awake to the illusions of modern society. Maybe he can wake some others?

1 Reply

@George,

Hi George,
When I reveal it's essence, you will see it as other than prideful, I assure you.
Thank you, George, and have a fantastic day.
Mark...

0 Replies

@Transcend,

Hi Mike,
Your eye is as keen as your presence is uplifting.
Tide magnificently dear friend.
Mark...

0 Replies

@mark noble,

Hi Mark.

To me, this reads like something a student in their late high school/early university years might think about their parents and other older relatives.

It makes me feel nostalgic - and gives me a bit of a bemused smile.

1 Reply

@ehBeth,

Hi Ehbeth,
Thank you for taking the time to read it. I can't give it away just yet, though.
It's not been interpreted like that before though, to my knowledge, that is.
It generally goes unanswared - Too much self-reflection from the observer usually makes them steer clear.
Have a great weekend Ehbeth.
Mark...

1 Reply

@mark noble,

Hi Mark.

I suspect you'd get different reactions from different crowds.

Hopefully Miss Letty will come by and take a look. She enjoys poetry and will be glad of more people who are interested in creating/sharing their work.

(which reminds me to add a poetry tag to this thread)

2 Replies

@ehBeth,

Hi Ehbeth,
Not crowds - "Individuals". The collective mindset dissipates once the crowd is dispersed.
Thank you, Ehbeth.
Mark...

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@ehBeth,

I had the same reaction as you, Beth...but didn't see the sadness/disdain as reserved for the older generation, but for modern humanity generally.

A very old theme indeed.

1 Reply

@dlowan,

Hi Dlowan,
Good eye! Glad to have your input.
Thank you, Dlowan, have a fantastic weekend.
Mark...

0 Replies

@mark noble,

Quote:

They've long traded their hearts and their souls
For Desire, and Greed, and Material goals

need i to add anything to this ?
i think my explanatory comment would diminish its value !
sorry , mark - i'm not in a good mood ... ...

1 Reply

@mark noble,

Hello Mark and welcome to A2K!

This poem, to me, is about the way we live our lives and the importance of putting into proper perspective the things that really matter. We try so hard to have everything that our friends have, that our neighbors have, that we lose the true meaning of life. Life should not revolve around working all of the time. It's not about how much money you have, or it should not be anyhow. We become "sheep" as we are led around by our own and societies idea of what happiness is.

Many years ago, before this great age of technology that we live in, families stuck together and were more close nit, IMO. They had their struggles, yes. They had to work very hard much of the time, but I don't think that they lost sight of "family" and "self" as many do today. This is the "balance" that is lacking. We have become a nation of wealth. We have become the sheep that you speak of as we try to be the same as everyone else and become blind in the process.

Do I see myself in that poem? I have to admit that I have been that person in the poem. Or at least what that poem is saying in my mind's eye. I think we all have if we are to be honest. Getting back to basics and living life with the idea, in truth, that money matters very little, and material things are not going to make our hearts happy, is the key. I wonder how many people don't even know their neighbors because they are too "busy" to take the time. What is the true meaning of life?

That's my idea of what your poem is saying ..... and I'm sticking to it! Razz

So the story goes, as the world keeps spinning 'round and 'round ....

1 Reply

@hamburgboy,

Hi Hamburgerboy,
Thank you, and may your state of mind return to the positive side Soon.
Mark...

0 Replies

@JustBrooke,

Hi JustBrooke,
Thank you for the time and effort you spent reading, analysing and typing that reply. Your interpretation of the human condition is laced with heartfealt clarity. Your honesty is commendable also.
It is not, though, nice to meet you, It is fantastic to meet you!!
Have a brilliant everything, JustBrooke.
Mark...

2 Replies

@mark noble,

Ah, Mark, now I see why you alluded to poetry.

I, at first reading, assumed that you meant the blind followers of the Christian religion, since the lamb is the symbol for Jesus. The sheep appeared to be the leaders of the dogmatic part of the church. Brooke's interpretation was different, but often they can be interchanged.

"...little lamb who made thee; doth thou know who made thee?..."

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@mark noble,

So, what grade did you pull on your essay?

2 Replies

@bobsal u1553115,

I wrote it as a self-portrait in 2004 (Age 37), then removed it from the 1st-person, published it and moved on.

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@bobsal u1553115,

He got a J.

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