The Poetry of R.E. Slater: Wisdom

"Autobiographies of great nations are written in three manuscripts – a book of deeds, a book of words, and a book of art. Of the three, I would choose the latter as truest testimony." - Sir Kenneth Smith, Great Civilisations

"I must write each day without fail, not so much for the success of the work, as in order not to get out of my routine." - Leo Tolstoy

I have never believed that one should wait until one is inspired because I think the pleasures of not writing are so great that if you ever start indulging them you will never write again. - John Updike

"The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another; and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume as it is with what he vowed to make it." - J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

Poetry is the shadow cast by our streetlight imaginations." - Lawrence Ferlinghetti

[Note - If any article requires updating or correction please notate this in the comment section. Thank you. - res]

Showing posts with label Wisdom. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

R.E. Slater - Meadowlands (a poem)

Meadowlands

by R.E. Slater

I had been happy in my ignorance and in my service

but am grown old and no longer happy as I once was

birthed so long ago upon those careless days of froth and wonder.

The burdens of the day have spent me

and have caused my steps to seek again the favor of the sun

that once shone so warm, so brightly, across springtime meadows fair.

Flashing day's dews of a wiser, more carefree youth

amid dreamscapes held fast glistening solitary marvels

nestled snugly within the craggy wildernesses of heaven’s grand peace.

For it was there in the frothy streams of discovery and conscience I wandered

considering man and beast, wind and muse, upon day's hand

knowing not whither purpose or end each was sent by the warming rays.

Then whilst tending to many gardens did the waning day grow long and cold

leaving its earlier peace but a foundling memory warm and alive

somberly promising all paths forever blessed, whither they led, each fulsome soul.

- R.E. Slater
December 21, 2011

@copyright R.E. Slater Publications
all rights reserved

Monday, October 31, 2011

R.E. Slater - The Power of Our Words (a poem)

The Power of Our Words

by R.E. Slater

Thus spake Adam -

In the hurry of the day,
In the brevity of life,
At the dawn of creation,
Before the Tree of Life,

“Giveth to me the power of your words…”

      To bind or create
    Make dead or alive
    Burden or uplift
      Withhold or provoke
    Bury or resurrect
    Expire or inspire
      Imprison or release
    Prevent or excite
    Dissuade or arouse
      Divide or multiply

To add or subtract
    Fortify or offend
      Declare or hide
    Begin or end
    Wake or sleep
      Enrich or impoverish
    Transpire or cease
    Help or hurt
      Heal or harm
    Transform or change

Spake the Voice of the Almighty -

Like the oceans of turbulent seas,
Like the storm its thunderous deeps,
On birdsong as gentle as the breeze,
As love ever bent in tender kiss,

“Bless now the power of My words…”

- R.E. Slater
October 31, 2011

@copyright R.E. Slater Publications
all rights reserved