Tag: Poetry

Solitude. by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Carl Setzer5 Comments

Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone;
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,
But has trouble enough of its own.
Sing, and the hills will answer;
Sigh, it is lost on the air;
The echoes bound to a joyful sound,
But shrink from voicing care.

Rejoice, and men will seek you;
Grieve, and they turn and go;
They want full measure of all your pleasure,
But they do not need your woe.
Be glad, and your friends are many;
Be sad, and you lose them all;
There are none to decline your nectar’d wine,
But alone you must drink life’s gall.

Feast, and your halls are crowded;
Fast, and the world goes by.
Succeed and give, and it helps you live,
But no man can help you die.
There is room in the halls of pleasure
For a large and lordly train,
But one by one we must all file on
Through the narrow aisles of pain.

by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX (1855-1919)
Public Domain Poetry

Hat tip to Tati & Tony over at Unbolt.me.

June evening thoughts

Carl Setzer1 Comment

Laying here in bed, recovering. I, like so many others, have fallen to covid’s cruelty. Fortunately for me, the effects have been relatively minor. Extreme fatigue, a steady cough, intense congestion remain. Yesterday’s fever subsided this morning, along with the throat so sore swallowing was painful. 

summer heat fades
a breeze bringing relief 
windchimes sing

A fever during 90 degree heat…added unpleasantries. Today’s much cooler weather granted deep relief. I’m grateful. 

so much cruelty 
fury trafficked rage
politics of pain

With all the recent news, I feel sadness. Will this society heal? What will rise from these ashes? Is there any beauty left?

I wonder.

amidst the sunlight: a haiku

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A walk by Edmonds Marsh

This morning I walked along the Edmonds marsh, grabbing this shot with my humble Samsung S20. The haiku flowed naturally.

I opted to add the text to the image directly via Canva. It’s been a while since I’ve done such and thought it would be good to stay in practice. Below is the text:

amidst the sunlight 
the agenda of flowers
 boisterous birdsong