Decision Time

(Picture Credit - Thinking by Tophdimgs com)

 

During my teens I determined not to rely on some higher power

For what was Good or Bad.

And thus I entered Purgatory or Chaos

Or worse.

For years I struggled with

What is Good, of Value, Right?

But now I’m growing old I must Decide.

This much I know:

Every living thing is good.

Intelligent, sentient, compassionate beings are even better.

Be a “Lifist” and a Humanist too.

Cherry pick the best that Religion has to offer,

And discard the rest.

Some Christian Values are very good

When winnowed from the chaff of doctrine.

I’ll never like a wasp, I feel,

But I will always love all Life

And stand in awe

At Nature’s Force.

A Man of Peace

I truly am.

Embracing all my fellow men (and women!)

Loving my animals

My family

And my friends.

I’ll drink to that.

Paul Butters

Troll - REMINDER

(Picture Credit - Internet Troll by Bit Social Media) 

A Note to myself and You:

NEVER ANSWER A TROLL.

“Don’t feed the Trolls” they say,

So don’t reply to them.

(Delete or block them if you can).

Let their bile or guile stand alone,

So that others can see

What a prick or bitch they are.

Ignore them completely.

Leave them to drown in the Silence.

Paul Butters

Poet's Code

 (Picture Credit - Heston as Moses by thrfineartdiner)

The very first thing a poet should do

Is throw that ego in the bin.

For being Great, or finding fame and fortune

Should hardly be your goal.

Just say whatever you have to say

With passionate heart and Voice.

Forget about Perfection

As all is relative:

And simply be Inspired.

Don’t be a slave to rigid forms:

Variety is the key.

Pulsing rhythms may match the heart

But missing beats have clout.

Be respectful to other poets at all times

And always return their praise, where you can.

Never criticise in a negative way:

Always be positive and supportive.

Keep out of inter-poet politics:

Such a waste of time!

Just write and write and write and write:

I simply cannot help it!

Paul Butters