What you see on the surface or outside, will often seem quite obvious, but is it correct? Consider the graceful and calm swan for example as it glides across the water, whilst its feet are paddling energetically below the waterline, the book that is so very different from its outside cover, and the fierce looking person who is really a gentle giant.
Thus external views or perceptions can be very misleading, and certainly much more complex when dealing with people!
Oh yes, very complicated and extremely complex because people will often say one thing, then do the exact opposite, hide their true feelings, lie, scheme, corrupt and all while smiling and being innocence personified in countenance.
Alright, hands up, I am being very cynical and harsh, but just for consideration as examples of external views, as like the swan mentioned earlier, we cannot always see what is happening below the surface or on the inside. From my 5th book…
Inner Depths
I have a dark invader in me
Who tries to get into my soul,
I fight him off to keep him out
But he buries down like a mole.
So what actually is this menace?
I can’t tell you as I’m not sure,
For he rarely comes to meet me
But into an abyss tries to lure.
For even the very brightest heart
Will have some darker days,
And it’s at these very moments
The invader stalks and preys.
Because that is our weak link
When even fleeting doubts are cast,
As when down, problems are larger
So must be resisted until passed.
But I have an inner strength
Gained by having seen the worst
That life will throw at us,
And feeling my heart would burst.
But I now know that if I wait,
Without succumbing to the pain
Of that dour and depressive spell
My resistance I will regain.
Thus deep down inside my being
A battle is often fought,
Between my courage and dark invader
Though you may have no thought,
That all this is going on
And that I maybe losing for a while,
Because I will always look the same
And take refuge behind my smile.
–
Just an example there of “inner battles” that are not always obvious, while of course everyone has their own different ways of dealing with the general “ups and downs” of life, with at times heavier burdens or heartache to struggle with. Possibly at those times we may see other peoples distress, but as intimated above, we all have different and varying ways of coping with our difficulties.
Some folk “hang problems out” for all to see, others will confide in close friends only and in certain cases will say nothing and battle on!
From my 3rd book (Reviews of Life in Verse) comes Inner Tears…..
Inner Tears
I have heard that when you cry
Tears are words the heart can’t express,
Though whatever the explanation
It is a sign of great distress.
Of course there are tears of joy
And some of laughter in a form,
But none can seem as heartrending
As anguish riding out a storm.
Tears of grief or frustration perhaps
Are streaming down your face,
You should not be ashamed of this
As it’s really no disgrace.
For those who cry are often caring
And so let their passions free,
Unlike blank faced stone hearts
Who other people’s woes can’t see!
We can cry at the world’s sadness
Or what it has all done to us,
So some will weep out openly
Others cry with much less fuss.
But however you shed your tears
When pain’s too much to bear,
It just proves you have empathy
And that you do, really care.
So pucker up, let yourself go
Express emotions and your views,
For if you cannot manage this
You live a life that has no clues!
–
So some examples in that poem of how difficult our “external” or initial views of people can be, and demonstrated with a saying, amongst many that my wonderful mother used to have, with “still waters run deep”!
Deep, or quiet indeed are some people, and alas no more demonstrated than in the tragedy of people completing a suicide, who despite the turmoil and distress of their mind that leads them to such extreme, have once the act is decided and planned, a sort of tranquillity presididing before the taking of their own life.
This sadly explains the guilt and upset of close friends and family who can only say “but I never saw it coming” or that they were unaware of their loved one’s distress. In my near 30 years of working with suicidal ideology in psychiatry, this was possibly one of the hardest parts to fathom and explain to distraught relatives!
From my 3rd book again is a poem that may allude to a disturbed, unhappy and unfulfilled mind, “Hide and Seek”
Hide and Seek
The man is forever looking
For something he wont find,
As the object of his search
Is hidden deep within his mind.
For on the surface he is happy
From great times that’s been had,
But all the time he searches
And on the inside he is sad.
So for what you ask, is he seeking?
Something very normal you suppose
Probably it’s a woman, but no
He has had his share of those.
Some that gave him everything,
Meeting all his hopes and needs.
But still his soul was restless
His brain following more leads!
Is he looking for a fortune?
Perhaps fame is what he desires,
But not with surface contentment
It’s only inside he never tires.
So fame and glory do not inspire him
Money or women don’t make him glow,
Thus he is condemned to searching
For reasons he can never know!
–
Thus some complicated and confused considerations of a troubled mind that give even close friends very few clues to an “external view” or troubled look!
Obviously, and also very fortunately, any wrong assessments or perceptions of another persons appearance and demeanour mostly won’t have such serious consequences as those of a person having ideas of ending their life. However it does serve as a stark lesson of not being taken in by initial impressions or how someone looks!
Last poem then and another with a suggestion or portent of possible doom and gloom. I am a happy bunny this month aren’t “I”? But hey that is one role of a “social and philosophical” poet that I have been humbled to have my poetry referred to as!
Birds of Prey
The circling birds were looking
For those weaknesses in you,
Any anxieties or a depression
That they can lead you to.
For these birds are more like spectres
Flying around to seek you out,
To try and make you panic
Or cause worries and self doubt.
So best run and look for cover
If you feel not at your best.
As these circling birds will swoop
And transport you to their nest,
That’s a nasty world of darkness
With crushing mental pain.
For if you succumb to your demons
You may never recover again.
How are spectre birds successful
In seeking the vulnerable out?
Maybe they have some inkling
Of any self confidence drought,
That may resonate off your bearing
Possibly seen by a nervous stance,
So beware these spirits will get you
If they suspect the slightest chance.
Thus be armoured in your standing
And don’t let these vultures win,
Because any weakness you exhibit
Will likely emanate from within.
So seek a solace and comfort
For any fears or doubt you feel,
As this will gird and protect you
When those flying spectres wheel.
–
Well I think that completes a fairly quick appraisal of looking at things on the outside, but at least it is a reminder of not taking external views as how they seem…..
All five of my books :–
Poetic Views of Life
More Poetic Views of Life
Reviews of Life in Verse &
Life Scene in Verse
Life Presented In Verse,
will all ensure my donation to the excellent charity I support, promote and donate to, that being Help for Heroes.
My first 3 books are only priced £4. 99 each, with my 4th and bigger book (Life Scene in Verse) at £6.99 are all for sale on Amazon, or from me ………….. lw1800@hotmail.co.uk Or 07967 355236
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