Ability Falls to Will

Pg 35; Cantus (book)

Ability falls to will

It matters not of the examination

            But of the heart-

            Examine it

I care

            But can’t obsess

I do

            But don’t excess

Got a little piece of Heaven

            But can’t explain

Reviews

[Dennis Wolf]

Well, explaining everything would quickly kill any sense of wonder... And that's not good.... Unless you're unable to feel any emotion... Then it doesn't matter.

Sometimes, it seems the 'heart' knows better than an overthinking brain does...

Simplifying stuff is better.. Explaining is coming to the 'appropriate' labels for everything then unveiling the system by which they interact....... I forgot wherever this was going... All in all, an enjoyable read this one... All that coming from someone who's a dud when it comes to poetry. Ha!


As for the beginning... Yeah, ability and opportunity mean nothing if you're not willing to use them for whatever reason...

There's still more packed in ere, and that's why I like it.

By connecting certain ideas and experiences with a little word play, there's a lot of thoughts that will follow in a reader's mind....just keeps branching off further and further..

Gshhh... Sorry for the essay haha

[Brad Dehler]

I appreciate that it created volumes for you to say, hopefully others give it as much time and effort as you. So appreciated. Thank you for this. The branches keep going, I love that aspect of good poetry

[Dennis Wolf]

Yes, well... Literature is kind of like music... It matters not how skillfully you've created something if the audience is not willing to dive in...

I always jump into stuff, headfirst (not always good) but at least, this way I can appreciate whatever it is I'm reading... Or listening to. Cheers

[Brad Dehler]

CHEERS!!! I really appreciate you deciding to take that dive. I believe it is worth it, with the right literature that is

[Dennis Wolf]

.. Sure...

[Brad Dehler]

It is a great compliment as well for you to provide the "essay" about such a concise poem. THank you for your words and I am bound to re-read your thought provoking response...

[Dennis Wolf]

Just don't overthink it following similar patterns

[Brad Dehler]

Duly noted

[AYVID N]

I think this is the perfect recipe for a well balanced life. To care but not to obsess, to do, but not in excess, to make the best of the joys without tryiing to explain them. Some tend to overdo thing and the reults is just stress and mess. Thanks for sharing the great message.

[Brad Dehler]

Thank you DIVYA! Much obliged sharing the message, thank you for picking it up. Cheers :)

[AYVID N]

You are most welcome. Have a nice day :)

[Amber Stone]

really good poetry,....genuine, direct and concise, with perfect sense of math and metric.
sincerely, Amber

[Brad Dehler]

Thank you Amber for your kind words. I really really appreciate that. Thank you for the encouragement.

[willweb]

Damn, and I thought this one was about me. No explanation needed when heaven delivers one of its gifts on your doorstep. And once more your word choice or thought process or both leaves me amazed. Your style is up there my friend.

[Brad Dehler]

Wow, I am humbled by your kudos. Thank you so much. It means the world to me Willweb

[keith]

i appreciate the pen independent of rule
just who is it that decided they were the way and those not falling in lockstep were ... unwelcome

i write free verse ... it is how i am

i appreciate the form of this piece and the candor of your words

welcome to this mess ... HA!

[Brad Dehler]

Thank you! I know exactly what you mean

[Fabian G. Franklin]

"Well I don't know what you believe, but I do know there's no doubt, I'll need another double shot of some ninety proof, I got too much to think about." Todd Snider from Statistician's Blues

I'm all about doing what needs to be done. I try not to overthink it. But if something seems illogical I have a hard time reconciling it with purpose. I was told by a math teacher recently that 60+1 was a subtraction problem, for example. I argued the point and was told I should take it up with the state board. Now, even if the state board were to tell me that sixty plus one is subtraction I'm still not going to agree. But that's new math, evidently. And they wonder why kids struggle.

[Brad Dehler]

Interesting. Perhaps when talking about someone 60 years old, adding one more year is that much less (subtraction) of life?

[jacob erin-cilberto]

getting a little piece of heaven needs to explanation...just an enjoyment of that moment.
j.

[Brad Dehler]

Yes, precisely. The moment. So so pristine, so important.

[Brad Dehler]

Yes, precisely. The moment. So so pristine, so important.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

‘But can’t obsess I do
But don’t excess’

We poets writers can all relate to that line

Like this one a lot Brad well done
From one obsessive of her obsessions to another

[Brad Dehler]

Thank you Julie! You warm my heart

[William Michael Reeves]

I imagine I'll understand what the Cantus book is. I like your antithetical thoughts. And the interesting structure. The explanation is ... you are floating through Hell in a bubble of heaven.

Bill

[Brad Dehler]

Love your insights Bill. Wonderful. and Thank you. So much to explore with the antithetical nature in which we live. .....

[Brad Dehler]

Beginning with the first line- All of our capabilities are at the mercy of our will. One example is an artist/performer succumbing to drug use or an architect being a shut-in. Then looking at "the examination" -it harkens to Will; as in not to over examine 'paralysis by analysis'.
Then the next lines lend recommendation to examine the heart, that is to look into where our will/drive is coming from, from the core of us- what we care about.
Caring should not be overdone by obsession, Doing activity should not be overdone by excess/lack of appreciation. The final lines refer to the sublime feeling of having a handle of this complexity.

[W. Barrett Munn]

This one seems a bit strained to me, Brad. How did it begin? Was it an idea to express? We can be too close sometimes. It takes distance to remove the excess heat from the heart and let the words rather than the emotions tell the tale.

But what do I know? It's all personal opinion, anyway. Keep going. You are doing fine.

[Brad Dehler]

Hi W. Munn- All of my poetry comes to me similarly, arising by word, notion or rhythm. I try to stay out of the way and let it flow. Sometimes emotions push, sometimes logic pushes- I just try to see where it belongs in the ultimate truth. I would encourage you to read it again, slowly. Beginning with the first line- All of our capabilities are at the mercy of our will. One example is an artist/performer succumbing to drug use or an architect being a shut-in. Then looking at "the examination" -it harkens to Will; as in not to over examine 'paralysis by analysis'. Then it lends recommendation to examine the heart, that is to look into where our will/drive is coming from. Caring should not be overdone by obsession, Doing activity should not be overdone by excess/lack of appreciation. The final lines refer to the sublime feeling of having a handle of this complexity.

[W. Barrett Munn]

I think the diction is confusing me. Ability falls to will. O.K., will is superior, but will cannot supplant talent. I cannot be Caruso, no matter my will to be. I think perhaps what you mean to say is ability falls when will fails?

[Brad Dehler]

Hello. Ability falls to will.
As in Ability is subject to one's will

[W. Barrett Munn]

Very good. To me that is the sense of it. Without will, ability is pretty meaningless.
Winston

[Brad Dehler]

Thank you Winston. Yes, plethora of examples for us... the drug addicted musician, those throwing away their time with distractions and not living up to their "potential".