On The Street

from a conversation with my son

On The Street:

 

absorption in self

or vision for others

a mirror or window

it's one or the other

 

an outreached hand

leaves life to chance

but an inward probe

just song and dance

 

is the truth out there

or someplace in here

do I dare even question 

or shy away in fear

 

the thread will still be

determined by fates

spun measured and cut

does not exonerate

 

the choices you make

for self or another.

Author's Note

not much deliberation here just came rather quickly following a conversation with my son. He is a great counselor and inspiration to me.

Reviews

[FGFRANKLIN]

John Donne wrote, "No man is an island". We are social creatures always in the flux of relationship driven actions and reactions. The hedonist, the altruist, everything in between, plays a little role in our performance. I think that's just our nature to grow in different directions as we learn. But when the focus is microscopic and we fixate on any one property too long it may become an unhealthy obsession. Most things are choices in life and sometimes only time will tell if we've made the right one.

[carl]

thanks for the read and review, appreciate your response and comments. sorry slow in replying but have been away from computer for a time. Must do some reading of Donne - my preacher used some quotes by him that I found very interesting. Take care, sir. - carl

[D. Mansfield]

Wow, this rang a selfish bell in my head. "A mirror or window, it's one or the other" I need to read this daily

[carl]

thanks for the read and review and encouragement - enjoyed your bio statement - I recognize much of what you said, mine was two brothers but I also left ASAP - I was the flip side of the black sheep of the family went off and became a follower of Jesus much to the dismay of those left at home. take care sir

[Vol]

Carl,
Well said, sir. Succinct, tight, and important. I particularly like the line "a mirror or window." the whole poem in four words, like a sharp stick in the eye!

I too an a retired teacher... would love to learn pottery!

[carl]

sorry for the delay in giving thanks for the read and review, I have been occupied by health needs and pottery, appreciate your kind words, senior citizens can take college classes ( including pottery) for free in many states- look in to it. -carl

[Neville]

You are a lucky man indeed .. ink well spilt sir and truly .. Neville

[carl]

thank you, Neville, for your time to read and review appreciate the encouragement. ( Ink Well Spilt ) may have to try and work with that. Take care - carl

[Neville]

You a far more than merely welcome sir, my pleasure entirely .. Neville

[Stella Armour]

We all have choices, it is as well to install that into our children when they are old enough to understand what it means.
it is then up to their individual characters to determine if the choices are for self or the greater good of all.

[carl]

thanks for the read and review, agree on importance of teaching of the value of choices.

[Stella Armour]

my pleasure Carl..

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

Your poem is a thought-provoking reflection on the nature of self and the choices we make in life. Your use of language is both elegant and evocative, and I found myself feeling deeply moved by the emotions you convey. The line "an outreached hand / leaves life to chance / but an inward probe / just song and dance" is especially powerful - it's a reminder that we all have to strike a balance between our own needs and the needs of others.

[John the Baptist]

More fathers and sons should have such conversations. The level of violence in the country now indicates they are not. What we have is a group of philosophical observations that end somewhat like a sonnet. If there is a unifying theme here, it is individual responsibility. We are responsible not only for what we do in life, but also about how we think about it.

[carl]

thanks for the read and review, your insight is much appreciated as it provides an outside observation of my thought processes. take care and be well -carl

[E.P. Robles]

As a poet I will analyze the poem "On The Street" from the perspectives of poetic expression and psychological symbolism.

From a poetic standpoint, "On The Street" is a contemplative piece that explores the duality between self-absorption and a broader vision for others.

The opening lines present a dichotomy: "absorption in self or vision for others." This juxtaposition sets the stage for a reflection on the tension between self-centeredness and empathy.

The poem employs the metaphorical imagery of a mirror and a window to convey the two contrasting perspectives. A mirror reflects only oneself, representing self-absorption and narcissism. On the other hand, a window offers a view to the outside world, suggesting an openness and connection to others.

The line "it's one or the other" emphasizes the mutually exclusive nature of these perspectives, highlighting the need to make a choice.

The next stanza introduces the theme of uncertainty and risk. An outreached hand, symbolizing reaching out to others, leaves one's life to chance.

This suggests that engaging with others and taking risks in relationships can be unpredictable and potentially challenging. Conversely, an inward probe, representing introspection and self-reflection, is described as "just song and dance," implying that it may be a form of self-indulgence or evasion of real connection.

The following lines express the struggle to find truth, whether it is external ("out there") or internal ("someplace in here").

The poet contemplates the dilemma of questioning, acknowledging the fear that may arise from challenging one's beliefs or accepting uncomfortable truths.

The poem's last stanza introduces the concept of fate and personal responsibility. The thread, symbolizing the course of life, is still determined by fate ("spun measured and cut"), suggesting that certain aspects of our lives are beyond our control. However, this realization does not absolve individuals from making choices. The choices we make for ourselves or others carry significance and consequences.

Overall, the poem explores existential and moral questions, addressing themes of self-awareness, empathy, choice, and the search for truth.

It highlights the tension between self-centeredness and connection, introspection and action, and the intertwining of personal agency and external forces.

Both as a Poet and using the learnings of Carl Jung, one would appreciate the depth of these contemplations and the exploration of the human psyche within the context of poetic expression.

[carl]

once again you have entered the storehouse of my mind and straightened, categorized, boxed, and shelved my thoughts with each being clearly labeled and annotated. Thank you for your review it is always an adventure to read what you have to say, as much so as most of the poetry i read here. You are a talented thinker and writer and I count it a privilege to be read by you. -carl

[mattavelli]

Hello, Carl. This is good dad work.
We are our choices. :)

[Pete]

your words ring out with a difficult truth. it takes a heart and conscience to see, not just eyes.

Philipians 2:3-4 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."

“He who gives himself entirely to his fellow-men appears to them useless and selfish; but he who gives himself partially to them is pronounced a benefactor and philanthropist.” - Thoreau

[carl]

thanks for the read review and insight much appreciated, and agree completely - would appreciate a bit of expounding and explanation on the Thoreau quote if you have the time and inclination. -carl

[Pete]

i think that thoreau is saying that the person who is totally committed to always helping people is viewed as someone who has nothing better to do because they don't appear to be struggling and focused on themselves like most people whereas the person who helps others a little bit is viewed as a saint because they're willing to give some time to others and away from themselves. in other words people view it as opposite of how they should ... :)

[Pete]

in other words, those who are too good to others are viewed suspiciously as having ulterior motives so one is better off just being a little bit nice to others but not too nice ... :)

[carl]

thank you so interesting. when I first read it in you comment i thought < "that sounds sarcastic" I don't know a lot about Thoreau but couldn't imagine him being sarcastic. again thanks much appreciated -carl

[Pete]

i agree that it could be interpreted as sarcasm but from what i know about him he was a salt-of-the-earth kind of guy, very honest and god-fearing. he adored nature and was fascinated by it. he did however sometimes write "sarcastically" as you say but as far as i know it was only to make a point and get people's attention.