Enlightenment

Angelic spotlight, slice of tranquil
Glistening amid the subdued hues
Pearly white, pristine, celestial
Accented with fleeting blues

The sun's pure ray, its pride, its joy
Its light, its laughter, a feeling so pure
So primal, a message, from times long ago
No words satisfy this ethereal lure
 
For what being would not give up all?
For such a pure, natural glow
But dwelleth it in every heart
Where it is found I do not know

Seeketh not the sun
Nor shadows, nor the moon
Seek not for fabled enlightenment
Nor over treasures croon

How far will you go for eternal happiness?
What would you pay for sunlight?
When will that point be reached in life,
Beyond the struggle, the fight?

For it is true enlightenment to realize
That before light can be reached
We must appreciate pain and strife
Before we win, we must beseech

So, go, seek out that sunlight
But to thee I first warn you
You will meet suffering along your road
But mingled happiness too

I fare thee well on your journey
Off searching for rainbow's end
But you may realize that your light
Lies just around the bend

Author's Note

There is some older language mingled with modern words, this poem is purely my expression. I would appreciate comments, even criticism. Thank you for reading!

Reviews

[Sonus de Animus]

This poem is quite intriguing; enlightenment is a concept that has been interpreted so many times in so many different ways. Here, you state that it requires experiencing pain and suffering to understand true happiness. I believe that happiness is just an understanding of pain and realizing every blessing one receives in life. Perhaps this is a true understanding of the world.
As for the older language mixed into the piece, I agree with Nusquam Esse that it should be a true expression of a poet's feelings. After all, poetry is not so much a job title as a fulfillment of one's own beliefs and emotions. It is an art form, and art always means the most to the artist. I feel the older words mixed in work, and if you do then there isn't a problem with them.
Lovely poem, it really was a thought-provoking read. Thank you for sharing it.

[The Hampstead Poet]

Thank you very much for your thoughtful review; it was interesting to see your take on the poem.

[icelandicblue]

I like the mixture of language in this piece.

Seeketh not the sun
Nor shadows, nor the moon
Seek not for fabled enlightenment
Nor over treasures croon

And the question how far will you go for enlightenment was an arrow straight to the psyche.

[The Hampstead Poet]

Thank you so much for your review, and your kind words!

[Nusquam Esse]

I like this, it takes an unconventional approach to the idea of enlightenment; one which I have contemplated many times. As for the older mixed with modern, screw people who insist this is taboo. As long as they are words YOU would actually use, then use them (sometimes it is tempting to get your syllable counts right, to help flow). If however, you are digging through books looking for the archaic and obsolete, then it may be a good idea to avoid. I mix the two all the time, and while not much of a poet, I genuinely think and speak IRL that way; what we read, very much impacts who we are, and how we communicate. In the end, make poetry true to you.

[The Hampstead Poet]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I really do appreciate your message that poetry should be true to the poet. It means so much to me that you enjoyed my poetry. I cannot thank you enough for your kind and helpful review. Will take your advice into consideration.

[DevonWayne]

Beautiful, i love it. Please keep writing

[The Hampstead Poet]

Thank you so much for your kind words.

[Gleb Zavlanov]

I really liked this poem, but I've usually been told by many readers (not just on cafe) that a poet shouldn't really mix old with modern. It's like mixing ice and fire: it just doesn't work together. Since some of your rhymes rhyme with 'you,' I suggest you use modern English instead of old.

Still, this is definitely worthy of the endeavor, and I really enjoyed read reading this.

[The Hampstead Poet]

Thank you for your review, I will try to stick entirely to either modern or old English. In some places, it worked, and in others it didn't feel right. But I agree; you can't really mix the two. I greatly appreciate your review, and I will try to take your words into consideration.