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Retired from 10 years in the Canadian Navy, and 28 years in the Canadian Diplomatic Service, with postings in Beijing, Mexico City, Sri Lanka, Romania, Abu Dhabi, Guyana, Ireland, Trinidad, and, last but not least, India.

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

It Doesn’t Necessarily Follow




Follow old traditions
that best served another day.
Follow any charlatan
that claims to know the way.
Follow each and every law
our masters claim is right.
Follow superstitious mantras
that may help you sleep at night.

Follow all the game shows,
and reality TV, 
and follow self-help gurus
who teach you what to be.
Vote for all the buzzwords
that spin doctors have designed.
Always think the facile thought,
that doesn’t tax your mind.
Ridicule but don’t discuss
all topics that arise.
Repeat vapid platitudes
that others say are wise.
Look to celebrities
to guide you as you go,
on how to dress and what to buy,
and what you ought to know.

When our lives are over,
and our sojourn here is done,
will we have cause to regret
our short time in the sun?
Will we shed a bitter tear
at a call we did not heed:
why did we simply follow
when we had a chance to lead?

1 comment:

Lucy Croft said...

I appreciated this poem very much. Every word is true. I already regret that I never chose (for various reasons) to work toward being a leader.

The Ancient Hippie

The Ancient Hippie
Natraj dances with us all.

Welcome, and Namaste

Greetings fellow travellers,

For you American friends visiting, you will notice that this old Canadian uses Canadian English in this blog: kindly bear with me. As I blog primarily on subjects that are vitally interesting to me, I appreciate all feedback.

As I tend to be a bit of a language usage freak, I will, as required, edit obscenity and rude comments. That said, I welcome your opinions and discussion.

May your Dharma be clear

Peace

"If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended:
That you have but slumb'red here,
While these visions did appear."


Puck’s epilogue to A Midsummer Night’s Dream