Miscellaneous Poems
Viewing comments for Chapter 10 "Free Minds"Poems not in other books
22 total reviews
Comment from closetpoetjester
Ya well I have to agree with you there mate.
I often feel like the red egg and all without trying. Even when I do try to contain myself and fit with the norm, the real me tends to bust loose in the first five minutes.
Be true to thine self.
Loved your free thinking here.
When it comes to your mind/opinion, it's just like an arse. Everyone's got one. Some are great. Some leave a little bit to be desired. With that said, they all have a right to be what they are.
It's a pity there are so many sheep in today's society.
We need more free thinkers Craig.
This is quite profound and resonates well after it finishes.
I'm touched you wrote this ode to me haha
Sixer for you
Pxx
reply by the author on 01-Jul-2019
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Ya well I have to agree with you there mate.
I often feel like the red egg and all without trying. Even when I do try to contain myself and fit with the norm, the real me tends to bust loose in the first five minutes.
Be true to thine self.
Loved your free thinking here.
When it comes to your mind/opinion, it's just like an arse. Everyone's got one. Some are great. Some leave a little bit to be desired. With that said, they all have a right to be what they are.
It's a pity there are so many sheep in today's society.
We need more free thinkers Craig.
This is quite profound and resonates well after it finishes.
I'm touched you wrote this ode to me haha
Sixer for you
Pxx
Comment Written 29-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 01-Jul-2019
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Well, you deserve it, P (the ode that is). I would have written it ages ago, but I was afraid what people might think har har.
Thanks so much for the wonderful review, and the lovely shiny stars. Great to hear from you again :)
Cheers,
Craig
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Good red and white presentation in egg and text Craig and a well thought out verse. A completely free mind with no expectations of or by others would be hard to achieve, I think. Society sets us so many rules.
Thought provoking poem Craig, could to hear from you,
cheers,
valda
reply by the author on 15-Jun-2019
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Good red and white presentation in egg and text Craig and a well thought out verse. A completely free mind with no expectations of or by others would be hard to achieve, I think. Society sets us so many rules.
Thought provoking poem Craig, could to hear from you,
cheers,
valda
Comment Written 15-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 15-Jun-2019
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Thanks very much, Pearl. I appreciate the great comments and kind rating. Hope you are well :) Craig
Comment from --Turtle.
Hey, Craig.
I got to read this free minds poem, and enjoyed. The sentiment of the words alone is powerful, but I really liked your visual support, tying the red with the picture, eggs... this is your mind... this is your mind in a cluster of other minds... If all minds are watching, and expecting, what do you do?
What you were going to do? Or modified to match what everyone else thinks you should do.
Appreciated the versatile phrasing of governed, as it indirectly nudges my thoughts to the relationship of people and government and governments having a vested interest in painting the way people think.
Though, mostly what I thought when I read this was the shackles of worrying about what everyone else will say or think of your own actions.
We look to our peers for approval, measure our success to the tune of the masses. Yeah, there's a slight evolutionary pro to paying mind to the common voice around us, but if you can't move without polling those around you, then you're shackled to everyone elses thoughts.
A neat thing to contemplate, in a world where we think we are thinking for ourselves, but critical thinking minus the feeding 'what should I think'
is harder to come by than one thinks.
And because this is a writing site, I mentally applied this notion to the freedom to write something as we might wish, yet ... many a time I've wondered if a feedback loop inadvertantly restricts that freedom, as output can become tailored to the audience. Nothing really wrong with that, as the goal is to entertain the audience, but there is a loss of being free with your own mind, too.
Enjoyed this greatly.
reply by the author on 13-Jun-2019
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Hey, Craig.
I got to read this free minds poem, and enjoyed. The sentiment of the words alone is powerful, but I really liked your visual support, tying the red with the picture, eggs... this is your mind... this is your mind in a cluster of other minds... If all minds are watching, and expecting, what do you do?
What you were going to do? Or modified to match what everyone else thinks you should do.
Appreciated the versatile phrasing of governed, as it indirectly nudges my thoughts to the relationship of people and government and governments having a vested interest in painting the way people think.
Though, mostly what I thought when I read this was the shackles of worrying about what everyone else will say or think of your own actions.
We look to our peers for approval, measure our success to the tune of the masses. Yeah, there's a slight evolutionary pro to paying mind to the common voice around us, but if you can't move without polling those around you, then you're shackled to everyone elses thoughts.
A neat thing to contemplate, in a world where we think we are thinking for ourselves, but critical thinking minus the feeding 'what should I think'
is harder to come by than one thinks.
And because this is a writing site, I mentally applied this notion to the freedom to write something as we might wish, yet ... many a time I've wondered if a feedback loop inadvertantly restricts that freedom, as output can become tailored to the audience. Nothing really wrong with that, as the goal is to entertain the audience, but there is a loss of being free with your own mind, too.
Enjoyed this greatly.
Comment Written 13-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 13-Jun-2019
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I really enjoyed your comments on this short poem, Turtle (and it's great to hear from you again). You did a far better job of expressing what I was trying to get at than I could possibly hope to squeeze into 20 syllables. None of us is immune from being swayed by how we think others will perceive us, so I think it's useful to remind ourselves every now and then who the Captain of our ship really should be.
Most grateful for the insightful remarks and the delightful rating.
Craig
Comment from catch22
Hi Craig, I like the brevity of this write, but beg to differ on free will and freedom. The neurophilosopher Patricia Churchland has it right, I think, when she claims we do not have free will, but degrees of control over our situations. That is what it truly amounts to when you factor in worldviews and genetic predispositions. That is how we need to judge responsibility and accountability, by how much control does an agent have over their circumstances to choose an outcome. Therefore, while I sympathize with the message, I fear it is a bit over simplified. You've used the form to good effect to drive home your point though--and I wish you well in the contest.
reply by the author on 12-Jun-2019
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Hi Craig, I like the brevity of this write, but beg to differ on free will and freedom. The neurophilosopher Patricia Churchland has it right, I think, when she claims we do not have free will, but degrees of control over our situations. That is what it truly amounts to when you factor in worldviews and genetic predispositions. That is how we need to judge responsibility and accountability, by how much control does an agent have over their circumstances to choose an outcome. Therefore, while I sympathize with the message, I fear it is a bit over simplified. You've used the form to good effect to drive home your point though--and I wish you well in the contest.
Comment Written 12-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 12-Jun-2019
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Hi Pam,
You do make a good point about circumstances, and how some individuals may have less freedom than others. However, I wasn't really trying to tackle the subject of free will in my four line poem (which I think makes it, by necessity, not a deep treatment)! Free will is an interesting topic, but far more involved than I could possibly hope to address. My intent was simply to point out that attempting to live up to the expectations of others or adopting their standards is a limiting thing to do to ourselves, and perhaps not completely honest. Thanks for the thoughtful comments and good wishes :)
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Hi Craig, thanks for your thoughtful response. I think you would like reading the Churchlands. I hope you are well.
Comment from Gloria ....
I must say, Craig I am most impressed with your artistic presentation in this very cool four line poem.
That said, from my experience if one has thoughts not governed by the expectations of others, they'd do well to keep that fact under wraps, cuz those different eggheads are culled pretty fast as so called radical ideas are dangerous to the status quo.
Great job and I wish you much luck with the Contest Committee.
Gloria
reply by the author on 12-Jun-2019
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I must say, Craig I am most impressed with your artistic presentation in this very cool four line poem.
That said, from my experience if one has thoughts not governed by the expectations of others, they'd do well to keep that fact under wraps, cuz those different eggheads are culled pretty fast as so called radical ideas are dangerous to the status quo.
Great job and I wish you much luck with the Contest Committee.
Gloria
Comment Written 12-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 12-Jun-2019
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Haha, I think you have a very good point there, Gloria. Thanks for the terrific rating, the good wishes and the fun comments.
Comment from Teri7
Craig, This is a very well written Four Line poem you have penned for the contest. You used very good words and very nice imagery. I enjoyed reading and reviewing this. Best wishes in the contest my friend. Blessings, Teri
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2019
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Craig, This is a very well written Four Line poem you have penned for the contest. You used very good words and very nice imagery. I enjoyed reading and reviewing this. Best wishes in the contest my friend. Blessings, Teri
Comment Written 11-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2019
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Thanks so much for the lovely comments and good wishes, Teri. Much appreciated. Craig
Comment from BeasPeas
Very true. I don't think you will find anyone who will disagree. Even though someone may acquiesce temporarily, he/she will eventually be true to self. I like the image. Marilyn
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2019
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Very true. I don't think you will find anyone who will disagree. Even though someone may acquiesce temporarily, he/she will eventually be true to self. I like the image. Marilyn
Comment Written 10-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Marilyn. Perhaps nobody would disagree in theory, practice is a different thing :) Most grateful, Craig
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Hi Craig. Nobody has control over what we think except ourselves. If you can get it, please consider buying the book, "The Daily Stoic," by Ryan Holiday. There is a quote from a stoic philosopher for each day of the year. I read it every day--but I am a philosophical stoic. It's not a book for cynics, but who knows--cynics may become stoics. It's a great book.
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Hi Marilyn,
My point is that on occasion, all of us allow our behaviour to be moulded by what others expect of us. For some, that is only rarely the case; for others, it seems to be their chief modus operandi. If you believe the opinions of others never affect you, then you might be having yourself on, or you might be superior to most humans :)
By way of clarification, a skeptic is a person who refuses to believe something without evidence or sound reasons (as opposed to believing something because that's what they want to believe). A cynic is someone who beliefs the worst of someone or something, but it has nothing to do with evidence. Again, we are probably all cynical with regard to certain things, but I don't accept I'm any more so overall than your average Joe. I will definitely admit to being a skeptic, although I prefer to regard myself as a rationalist -- a person who bases their opinions and actions on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response.
I will have a look at some Kindle books on Stoicism. It's probably a little metaphysical for my liking, but I shouldn't prejudge. I do have Marcus Aurelius' Meditations on my Kindle, but as yet have hardly glanced at it.
Cheers,
Craig
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Hi Craig. I don't believe in things willy-nilly either. Each person has to decide for self what to believe in. If it resonates, it's true. If it doesn't, it's not.
You'd love the book I mentioned. Right up your alley, I think. All the ancient philosophers are included--Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, etc. It's an easy read. Best, Marilyn
Comment from Dean Kuch
"It's your thing, do what 'cha wanna do..."
Frank Sinatra did it his way and, by the basic gist of the message you're conveying in your short and pointed poem, you believe him to be justified in doing so.
I say buck the status quo, stay outside of the proverbial box everyone seems to wanna place you in.
Be a trail blazer for others--innovative and unique--take the roads less traveled.
There are fewer people you'll have to encounter along the way and very few to hamper your progress.
Good stuff, Craig...
~Dean
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2019
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"It's your thing, do what 'cha wanna do..."
Frank Sinatra did it his way and, by the basic gist of the message you're conveying in your short and pointed poem, you believe him to be justified in doing so.
I say buck the status quo, stay outside of the proverbial box everyone seems to wanna place you in.
Be a trail blazer for others--innovative and unique--take the roads less traveled.
There are fewer people you'll have to encounter along the way and very few to hamper your progress.
Good stuff, Craig...
~Dean
Comment Written 10-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2019
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Thanks so much for the great comments, Dean. At first I thought you were referencing the Aussie Band of the 70's the Master's Apprentices, but I see the same lyric ("do what 'cha wanna do") is actually also from an Isley Brothers song from around the same time.
Cheers,
Craig
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Yep, you got it, Craig.
You're very welcome. ~ Dean
Comment from Y. M. Roger
Wow -- now this is the most impactful four-liner that I have read this round, Craig -- absolutely LOVE the message here! ;) ;) TOO MANY people are swayed by others' comments on social media and we've lost track of our own personas.... individuality is shunned and commonality is applauded. Sigh. :) Again, GREAT offering! :) Thanx for sharing, sir, and so good to hear from you! ;) :) Yvette
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2019
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Wow -- now this is the most impactful four-liner that I have read this round, Craig -- absolutely LOVE the message here! ;) ;) TOO MANY people are swayed by others' comments on social media and we've lost track of our own personas.... individuality is shunned and commonality is applauded. Sigh. :) Again, GREAT offering! :) Thanx for sharing, sir, and so good to hear from you! ;) :) Yvette
Comment Written 10-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2019
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Thanks so much for the very kind comments and the thoughtful response, Yvette. I'm pleased you enjoyed. All the best :) Craig
Comment from LIJ Red
People have come to expect of each other Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth,
Wrath, Envy, Pride and Bullying. To yield these is to give up the very essence of humanity...excellent 4-line poem...
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2019
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People have come to expect of each other Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth,
Wrath, Envy, Pride and Bullying. To yield these is to give up the very essence of humanity...excellent 4-line poem...
Comment Written 10-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2019
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Sadly, there's much truth in that. Thank you for the kind comments :) Craig