Belief
An observation13 total reviews
Comment from --Turtle.
This 3 line poem has a lot of facets to reflect on. Really like the inner line rhyme, and use of observations and contemplation.
The use of child gives a mentor/mentee flavor... someone who's been around the block... depending on the angel of reference of the reader, the tone sparkles a little differently.
I think things like ... we see a bigger picture, and feel a sense of disbelief...
Or... the more we know, the less we rest on faith alone
Or... the mind boggling backwards effect of... here is a fact... here is proof, and here is proof, and here is proof... and... how is it ... the more I offer proof... the less you believe me?
Or... the loss of innocence. As childhood is shed, and the possibility that a unicorn might really prance through the backyard gets farther or further away.
Strong poem. Very much enjoyed contemplating this one.
reply by the author on 11-Apr-2021
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This 3 line poem has a lot of facets to reflect on. Really like the inner line rhyme, and use of observations and contemplation.
The use of child gives a mentor/mentee flavor... someone who's been around the block... depending on the angel of reference of the reader, the tone sparkles a little differently.
I think things like ... we see a bigger picture, and feel a sense of disbelief...
Or... the more we know, the less we rest on faith alone
Or... the mind boggling backwards effect of... here is a fact... here is proof, and here is proof, and here is proof... and... how is it ... the more I offer proof... the less you believe me?
Or... the loss of innocence. As childhood is shed, and the possibility that a unicorn might really prance through the backyard gets farther or further away.
Strong poem. Very much enjoyed contemplating this one.
Comment Written 10-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 11-Apr-2021
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You've covered most of the interpretations that sprang to my mind, and one or two that didn't, consciously, but certainly make a lot of sense. Thanks for the thoughtful consideration, Turtle, and for the delightful rating.
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Congrats on your recognition for this thought-provoking piece! Indeed, it can be construed on many levels--I've heard it said in the context of religion. Cheers. LIZ
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2021
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Congrats on your recognition for this thought-provoking piece! Indeed, it can be construed on many levels--I've heard it said in the context of religion. Cheers. LIZ
Comment Written 02-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2021
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At the most basic level, it applies to everything, so that it is a truism. When we properly understand something, what we have is not belief, but knowledge. Thanks so much for the kind comments, Liz. Much appreciated, Craig
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Thanks for the context!
Comment from Pearl Edwards
This is what I call a thought provoking poem Craig, and one we could read over and over, and your author notes are just as intriguing. I think the more we think we understand is the more we realize there is so much that we don't really understand. I'm going now before I get tied up in knots LOL
Cheers,
valda
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2021
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This is what I call a thought provoking poem Craig, and one we could read over and over, and your author notes are just as intriguing. I think the more we think we understand is the more we realize there is so much that we don't really understand. I'm going now before I get tied up in knots LOL
Cheers,
valda
Comment Written 28-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2021
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Haha. Well, that's certainly true, Valda. But I also think that as we truly come to know things (as opposed to just thinking we know), then we no longer believe them, having gone past that point.Thanks for reviewing :) Craig
Comment from Dawn Munro
I will pray for you
because I have no question
that His word true.
:)) (I still hold you in high esteem, despite our disagreement on this topic.) (And I bet your 3-liner will do very well! It's great!) :))
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2021
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I will pray for you
because I have no question
that His word true.
:)) (I still hold you in high esteem, despite our disagreement on this topic.) (And I bet your 3-liner will do very well! It's great!) :))
Comment Written 26-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2021
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Religious belief is one tiny part of the sum of all belief, which is what this is addressing... I'm not sure why everyone has focused on that. It's saying that when we know something to be fact, we no longer need to believe. Thanks, Dawn :)
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Oops. My bad -- sorry, Craig.
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No, need to apologise, many people took it that way. Maybe I need to use longer footnotes, but I don't like making the footnotes longer than the poem lol
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Oh, I meant "oops" because the third line in my reply is missing the "is".
No I didn't. *grin* But I had ya goin' for a minute, didn't I? LOL!
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
I agree with your words here, a little bit of knowledge is dangerous and can upset the status quo and make us unsettled, poignant words, much enjoyed, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2021
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I agree with your words here, a little bit of knowledge is dangerous and can upset the status quo and make us unsettled, poignant words, much enjoyed, love Dolly x
Comment Written 26-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2021
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Thanks for the kind words, Dolly. They're much appreciated. Cheers, Craig
Comment from lyenochka
Ah, I think we disagree on that one, Craig. Yes, the more we learn, the more we realize that we don't know anything. That tells me that the delicate balance of life is dependent on an intelligent and gracious Creator. Great idea to address a child which meets the "address a loved" one criterion of the contest. Hope you do well in it!
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2021
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Ah, I think we disagree on that one, Craig. Yes, the more we learn, the more we realize that we don't know anything. That tells me that the delicate balance of life is dependent on an intelligent and gracious Creator. Great idea to address a child which meets the "address a loved" one criterion of the contest. Hope you do well in it!
Comment Written 26-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2021
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Religious belief is only one of many aspects I had in mind, Helen. I think this principle applies to everything we set our minds to. Basically, the more we understand (know), the less we believe, because belief implies a possibility we are wrong. So knowledge is confirmed belief. (Of course, it's possible to *think* we know, when we only believe). That was the idea, anyway. But, it's OK to disagree lol Thanks for the thoughtful comments and good wishes. Craig
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Great! I know you're open to disagreements. I'm always surprised when scientists insist on one theoretical view and persecute others who disagree. I guess human nature is pervasive in every field.
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Scientists are fairly late comers to that game, Helen!
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
I enjoyed your presentation for the contest. Your words plus picture pair nicely. If one is searching for truth, then s/he believes eventually it will be found, or proven there is none, right? This could apply to most any situation where the unknown isn't apparent until it's either discovered to be true or found to be false. The connotation isn't limited to anyone's religious or no-religious beliefs. It is the search that drives one forward but still there is some belief that it will be proven or disproven. However, anyone can say they believe when there is no proof and be fanatical about it. It works both ways. One can hold a belief and spend their time looking for proof and be fanatical about it.
Best wishes.
Respectfully, Jan
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2021
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I enjoyed your presentation for the contest. Your words plus picture pair nicely. If one is searching for truth, then s/he believes eventually it will be found, or proven there is none, right? This could apply to most any situation where the unknown isn't apparent until it's either discovered to be true or found to be false. The connotation isn't limited to anyone's religious or no-religious beliefs. It is the search that drives one forward but still there is some belief that it will be proven or disproven. However, anyone can say they believe when there is no proof and be fanatical about it. It works both ways. One can hold a belief and spend their time looking for proof and be fanatical about it.
Best wishes.
Respectfully, Jan
Comment Written 25-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2021
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I like to picture a horizontal slider, with the left end being ignorance and the right end being knowledge. Belief is like a slider that moves from one end to the other. What moves the slider? In an ideal world, it would be evidence. But of course we are all capable of believing more or less than the evidence indicates. And no, it's not confined to religious belief, it applies to everything our minds process. Thanks for the thoughtful consideration, Jan. Much appreciated. Craig
Comment from Mark D. R.
You are correct about how one interprets your short poem for review in this contest. I like your inclusion of the rhyme, which gives an added pizazz to your entry.
Given Perserverance's landing on Mars, your celestial image takes on special meaning.
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2021
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You are correct about how one interprets your short poem for review in this contest. I like your inclusion of the rhyme, which gives an added pizazz to your entry.
Given Perserverance's landing on Mars, your celestial image takes on special meaning.
Comment Written 25-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2021
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Yes, the prospect of learning more about our neighbour in space, and possibly ourselves, is an exciting one. Thanks for the kind words. Craig
Comment from Ulla
Hi Craig, the way I read it is that the more we know as we grow older the more realistic we become and maybe a little more cynical, as well. But doesn't that come with the territory? As I'm not religious, I fall into all of the above, but that doesn't make me a cold person. I want to believe that I've learned to understand more and show more empathy. I really liked your poem that gave something to think about.Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2021
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Hi Craig, the way I read it is that the more we know as we grow older the more realistic we become and maybe a little more cynical, as well. But doesn't that come with the territory? As I'm not religious, I fall into all of the above, but that doesn't make me a cold person. I want to believe that I've learned to understand more and show more empathy. I really liked your poem that gave something to think about.Ulla:)))
Comment Written 25-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2021
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All of the above, Ulla. Religious belief is one of the things I had in mind. The general idea is that where there is knowledge, belief isn't required. I don't think that makes someone cold, but some certainly do. Thanks for the kind words. Craig :)
Comment from Debbie Pope
Wow, Craig. Truer words were never spoken. I can just see the speaker, probably a grandfather or grandmother, offering these words of wisdom to a young child. They would be sitting outside staring at the stars. Personally, I would be saying, "Child, don't try to know everything. Let there be some mysteries in life. Let faith and hope live on." Naive, very much so, but I would want that child to live happily because I love them. Maybe that's not naive at all.
I really do like the first person poems that you seem to be writing. They are wise and true. Very heartfelt. This one addresses one of life's biggest issues--knowing versus believing. I vote for believing. Knowing has thrown us too many horrible curves.
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2021
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Wow, Craig. Truer words were never spoken. I can just see the speaker, probably a grandfather or grandmother, offering these words of wisdom to a young child. They would be sitting outside staring at the stars. Personally, I would be saying, "Child, don't try to know everything. Let there be some mysteries in life. Let faith and hope live on." Naive, very much so, but I would want that child to live happily because I love them. Maybe that's not naive at all.
I really do like the first person poems that you seem to be writing. They are wise and true. Very heartfelt. This one addresses one of life's biggest issues--knowing versus believing. I vote for believing. Knowing has thrown us too many horrible curves.
Comment Written 25-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2021
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So you see it as a kind of lament? I'll admit, that wasn't one of the several meanings that crossed my mind; I think I'm up to about 5 or 6 now, with your contribution. Your point is a good one, Debbie. Loss of a certain childlike innocence is something most of us feel at some point, I think. But I still prefer knowing, although there is a place for both. I'd rather know there's no tiger on my tail than believe it. And I think the same is true even if there were a tiger on my tail. Thanks for the great comments and the wonderful rating. Craig
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I knew you would disagree with my comment when I wrote it. I believe that it takes a very strong person to discount believing. But the poem was about talking to someone that you love. Above everything, I would want them to be happy. Believing doesn't rule out knowledge of that tiger on your tail. It just might make their hard life a little happier.
As for myself, I can't seem to get enough knowledge (except technology). I still want to believe though. It's in me.
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I don't disagree with you, Debbie. Belief and knowledge are both appropriate, depending on evidence. I think they are just different points on the same scale. For my money, the most dangerous thing is when we mistake belief for knowledge. Isn't that a large part of what was behind the events of January 6? And what, just today is threatening to raise its ugly head again? People who are convinced that something which never happened is real, and are willing to destroy democracy as a result.
For myself, if I were speaking in real to one of my children, I would encourage them to seek knowledge, and to maintain hope.
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You know, I was thinking more along a religious line, the faith-knowledge issue. But now I'm thinking Marjorie Taylor Greene. That lady's lack of knowledge is mind boggling. How can anyone think that 9-11 never happened or that no children have been killed in school shootings. Where is she, and thousands like her, getting their knowledge. Their beliefs aren't even real. She says she was "allowed to believe that." What does that even mean.
I still think the religious issue is in your poem. Maybe it's the artwork that sent me that way.
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The religious aspect was definitely in my mind, but it wasn't the only one, that's why the comment at the bottom. I thought your comment was a good one :) Unfortunately, there are far too many Marjorie Taylor Greenes in this world. They demonstrate the opposite to knowledge - ignorance, and they are very dangerous.