Rage, Kindness, Benevolence and Hatred ( be patient )

when i juxtapose my extreme rage,

           frustration and malice

with my kindness, understanding

            and "knowledge"

i find my center

             where i become normal

unbroken and a good man

             like the rest of us

circumstance dictates my extremes

             while temperance

makes us the better human being

              in spite of everything

so be patient

              in spite of all of it

in spite of everything

              be patient

Author's Note

"Every soul, the philosopher says, is involuntarily deprived of truth; consequently in the same way it is deprived of justice and temperance and benevolence and everything of the kind. It is most necessary to keep this in mind, for thus thou wilt be more gentle towards all." - - - Marcus Aurelius

Reviews

[Abhishek Asthana]

That is something so meaningful... I really enjoyed reading it... Awesome piece of writing

[Papaya]

it is very hard for people to find that centre, we tend to live on the side of the extremes often and it begins to form our position in the world, or a community. dog eats cat, cat eats mouse, mouse eats cheese - circumstance(s) can engraves a behaviour that forces living in an extreme

i really liked revenge of the nerds

[Davidgeo]

me too. dork.

[Papaya]

: )

[A little flame]

I appreciate the empathy in this piece as well as the bit of philosophical depth. Good work.

[Davidgeo]

I am slightly more empathetic than folks give me credit for... thanks cat face

[A little flame]

Sure thing, Stripes.

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Admirably penned – wonderful interpretation of individual duality! We are two sides of the same coin; the face and the obverse both flat spheres unable to move on their own. It is only when the coin is placed on its edge that it can ‘roll’ along- a bit like us really… great write – makes you think!

[Davidgeo]

Admirably penned is a bit of an overstatement. I think you grasped the intent though, that makes me happy.

[Sofia]

It's very well penned! And wonderful...keep writing :)

[Joey Nizz]

You have captured each emotion and balanced them well together, everybody needs to find their center to find peace within them selves.

Nicely wrote, thanks for sharing :)

[Davidgeo]

You're too kind... to keep balance I might have to murder a kitten over this.

[Joey Nizz]

People have their own way to find their balance, whatever helps.
By why a kitten if yo don't mind me asking ? :p

[Davidgeo]

I like cats... being flippantly hyperbolic in a self hating way helps me diffuse praise. If I was more well adjusted I would take praise in a more, healthy way. That may or may not have made sense... I'm really not sure, I've been drinking, this might be gibberish.

[Joey Nizz]

oh ok, cats are fun to have around. hmm maybe you need to focus on things you like to do to make enjoy yourself more, I mean I dunno if I'm saying the right thing but it might work if you give it a try.

[Davidgeo]

I'm not as serious as you would think with review comments. I actually don't really like articulating my exact meaning of what I write in terms of poetry. Or maybe I'm just diffusing things again, either way it should be irrelevant to you. Or maybe it's the whole drinking thing again... (I don't really drink that much)

[Joey Nizz]

Its ok some of us do the same, sometimes I do as well, whatever you do in life its your choice and no one has the right to say anything about it, unless if its hurting u or something. the ones that care would intervene.You dont have to articulate anything if you dont like to, just say what you have to say, thats what writers are all about, just saying what comes to their mind.

[Gee]

And suffer the fools whilst biting your scarred, bleeding tongue. I make time fir animals and small children, I clock watch when in the company of most adults.
Think I'll get this tattooed on my eyelids TKL.

[Davidgeo]

Eyelid tattoos.. sounds totally painless.

[Gee]

Ahhhh, so is consenting anal sex with a cow, or so I'm told !!!

[Davidgeo]

If you're feeling bold look up the phrase "mr hands" and "tragic bestiality". It's not for the feint of heart...

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Well-written, insightful poem of self-analysis. The poet strives to find "the golden mean"- the middle road of balance and well-being-"I find my center..where I become normal." , and "in spite of everything", challenges himself to "be patient". Excellent.

[Davidgeo]

You're far too kind Annete Pisano Higley