Uncommon Sense

This is not meant as a swipe toward another piece of art but simply a counter narrative on the ideas of "common sense". Its virtue is highly dependent on the individual, which is fallible.

Uncommon Sense 

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

"The relations between rhetoric and ethics are disturbing: the ease with which language can be twisted is worrisome, and the fact that our minds accept these perverse games so docilely is no less cause for concern."

Octavio Paz

If only it were true 

It were equal in you

As it should be in everyone's heart.

But sense has a way

Of leading astray

Uncommon a virtue in truth.

Author's Note

Common sense relies heavily on the ethics of an individual defined by their sense of morality. If the are lacking in morals what does that say about the sense that encompasses their thoughts? Two separate individuals do not always view the world with the same vision. One can see patriotism in an action, while another an insurrection. One can see empathy, respect for others lives, and kindness in wearing a mask during a plague, while others see a loss of freedom or rights. But where do those rights end and the rights of others to live begin? My own common sense dictates to value the life of others as I do myself, and do the right thing. Others do not have the same common sense.

Reviews

[VelvetPotato]

Everyone's reality is different, based on their thoughts, experiences, preconceived notions, the media they listen to, their surroundings, mental illnesses, etc. I don't think any philosopher has used the term, "common sense," and I suppose they are closer to the truth than a lot of us, so this poem is titled appropriately. This is a really interesting idea you've brought up!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you VP. I always strive to write words that will induce thought and contemplation on the subjects and themes I may choose. I try my best to leave the work ambiguous so that the reader may draw their own conclusions. Your assessment is spot on. Thank you forctaking the time to read and comment on this work.

[VelvetPotato]

I like the idea of ambiguity. You're welcome!!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

sense leads us away from truth, but morality always is the mainstay...
if we can live with our semantic conscience, then we can write our lives down without reservation.
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Truly wise words to live by. Thank you, Jacob for your comment.

[Poetic Beauty]

Many do not tell the truth or bend it for their own gain. I will take blunt honesty any day

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Me too, PB, I'm too damn old to put up with the bull crap anymore. I respect people that tell it like it is. It's strength in character and integrity that truly matters in life. They can take everything else from you in life but it's that one thing they can't take. Thank you for your thoughts PB. I truly appreciate it.

[mattavelli]

“Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.”
― George Carlin

Hello, Carlos! :)
I blame sodium. People are losing their minds to hypertensious hysteria. Some may have passed without realizing, now just well preserved corpses, their salt crusted brains kept sparking to the rhythm of their wifi and cell towers, as they shamble around drooling out nonsense slogans.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Omg hahaha I loved George Carlin he was an awesome comedian. One of the greats like Richard Pryor. Geez I have to confess Matt I have a high sodium diet. Well that answers a lot about me haha. I so hate social media. I don't do the Twitter or Facebook thing. To old for that crap. Besides I'm like the most boring person ever. Who would ever ind any interest in an old fart like me bitching and crying all the time on my messages lol. Thank you Matt. Hope all is well for you my friend.

[mattavelli]

Sodium may kill you. I’ve cut it out, and load up on magnesium and folate.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I would do well to heed your advice because I tend to love salt in everything I eat. I just hate bland food though. I can look for an alternative but dang it salt is har to quit, much like sugar. It's like crack to me, or bath salts lol

[mattavelli]

Haha
I'm the same. I used to eat a buttered ribeye steak with half a baguette for lunch most days. When out with my son, id get bacon cheeseburgers and waffle fries dipped in mayo. And my wife pours soy sauce on most things she cooks.
Now, I mostly drink smoothies. I do a banana, two big handfulls of spinach, about a cup of frozen blueberries, five or six walnuts, and a cup to a cup and a half of almond milk. Its filling and flavorful. Sometimes I'll add a square of Lindt's 90% dark chocolate and use frozen bananas, as a treat. I snack on almonds and occasionally some sweet potato. I sometimes try low sodium recipes from online, but the smoothie ticks all the boxes for me. And, every once in a while, I'll eat a bacon cheeseburger with mayo fries and a milkshake, but I feel difference when I wake up the next day, sluggish, eyes crusted, pillow wet from sweating into it. Nowadays, when I put a leaf if spinach in my mouth, it tastes salty. Haha

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Omg you are a greater man than me, Matt. I couldn't live like that. I don't have that kind of discipline to give these addictive things up. I'm gonna die with a mouth full of sugar and both hands filled with salt leaving the coroner thinking "Wtf was this guy thinking?" My hat is off to you though, big respect changing your life like that. It shows how much you love your family. And how much I love my twizzlers, milkyways, chocolate chip cookies, salty French fries, KFC original flavored fried chicken, whoppers, Big Macs, Roundtable extra large combo pizza, and pink slurpee. As well as an occasional salad with a s**t ton of ranch dressing to give it flavor. Oh and red hot doritos too.

[mattavelli]

You eat salad... What are you, are rabbit?

[Neville]

... rarely was a truer set of words ever writ .. I sit firmly in your corner sir ...

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, Neville, you are to kind my friend. There are times in life that art demands more from us then simple truth. It asks us to stand up for our principles when it's not always the easiest or most convenient of times. The simplest choice would be to say nothing, but the bravest is to speak truth to power despite opposition or ridicule. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate it.