Clever People
Clever people can be cruel.
They see vulnerable feelings
In others
And manipulate those emotions
To control
Continually.
Clever people can be witty.
They see the weaknesses
Of others
And lampoon those failings
To cut
Condescendingly.
Clever people can be blind.
They never see
In themselves
Crippled feelings and foibles
To expurgate
Completely.
Cynthia Buell Thomas
wise words Cynthia. Win
Clever people are also the most unhappy and loneliest people. Some of them know it, and some of them don't. I think that you portrayed this really well Cynthia, and snapped in the feelings of one-upmanship, whilst showing fragments of hidden feelings of loneliness. The cold calculation of the determined, clever mind, undermined by uncertainty and what I sense is fragility. Saying that,it could be post natal dimensia that is sensing this in your piece. 'to cut', 'to control', 'to expurgate'. Expurgate! What a great word, I peronally would not change that word Cynthia. And the 'continually', 'condecendingly', and 'completely', fit the rhyme and the tone perfectly. Haha, I remember where 'once upon a time, in a land far away....' I was classed as clever,it's called years 9, 10 & 11 now. I find that I no longer am - I cannot even work a smart phone! How many of us find that technology passes us by?Hope you are well cynthia, take care.xx
Really interesting, Cynthia. Reminded me of Lennon's "one thing you can't hide is when you're crippled inside". Some of the people with most humanity couldn't pass an exam to save their lives.
One of the frighterning things about the world is that clever people can be very stupid. The international recession was caused by clever people.
Right you are, Isobel! The word "clever" means different things to different people.
Can't agree with you there Larisa. History shows that there are plenty clever people capable of lies and atrocities - lots of pies spoiled by flies, to use your analogy. Perhaps it all hangs round our understanding of the word 'clever' - it may mean different things to different people. It is tempting to think people are clever who think the same way we do...
I agree with Isobel that your poetry provokes thought, Cynthia. I like your verses just as they are.
Clever people can be kind,
clever people can be wise,
clever people can't be blind,
clever people hate the lies.
The one who is clever tries
to get rid of the flies
which spoil the pies.
I love the way your poetry provokes thought Cynthia. As ever, I get waylaid from thinking about poetic style and critique and diverted into the message you are putting across. It seems to skew reality. Yes clever people can be lots of things - kind, insightful and humorous as well as the negatives you have chosen to highlight. I guess clever people are more successful at whatever facet of their personality they wish to vent be it good or bad - their intelligence perhaps guarantees this. I would say that there are lots of unintelligent people who demonstrate the same flaws - they are more obviously flaws though cos they are less skilfully hidden. Just me thinking out loud...
I really like the concept of this Cynthia. Two words though that I would perhaps reconsider... Crippled=Erroneous and expurgate=cleanse...
Qu'est-ce que vous en pensez ?
Taking a chance here; very newly written; not 'settled' but posted for comments as anyone wishes.
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David Mac
Tue 14th Sep 2010 10:29
Yeah, Cynthia, clever people do my head in! Glad I ain't on of 'em.