True life's an art

by Ged Thompson

Thursday 26th September 2013 11:39 pm (first posted Tuesday 27th August 2013 3:04 am)

True life's an art

I like to glimpse at the world through the eyes of a child

See opportunity in tragedy and chances to change

Try to rebuild the thinking that I once defiled

And find wonder in things that some others find strange

See past all the small print and survey the big picture

Chase compassion not fashion, for that never grows old

Give to Caesar what’s his while my spirit grows richer

Like the spy in that book that sneaked in from the cold

Alchemic conversion from base metal to treasure

Destination of less worth than just taking the path

No rush to the grave yard I’m just strolling at leisure

Just two things get us through life, a cry and a laugh

My most precious possessions my own deeds and actions

With attachment aversion, these both one and same

Peak through sold illusions and temporal distractions

Know that true life's an art, not a win or lose game.

Ged Thompson/ Liverpool Poet 27/08/13

Comments

<Deleted User> (11197)

Mon 30th Sep 2013 11:11

I really like the way you paint your words with your beautiful thoughts Ged. :) Each line in itself is so nice and meaningful. Thank you for sharing.

Dave Bradley

Thu 29th Aug 2013 06:53

I like this Ged - what it says and how it says it. Throw in a verse about how precious other people are and what it means to walk in their shoes and it could be complete. It's interesting how the sense of wonder unites people of a wide variety of beliefs and backgrounds.

Must get down to the Tate so I can complain too.

Ged Thompson

Thu 29th Aug 2013 02:22

I'm sorry I cant answer that Isobel, your question was rhetorical

I know your going to kick some arse over this anyway (-:

That's why i like you so much

Isobel

Wed 28th Aug 2013 00:20

No piece of 'art' has ever upset me as much as this Ged. It was like it was ok to experiment with these women because they were prostitutes - the way they'd lined them up had echoes of the Holocaust. You are probably right about the artist seeking notoriety - but what are you supposed to do when something like that becomes accepted art - sit back and accept it?

Ged Thompson

Wed 28th Aug 2013 00:15

Thanks Harry that mean a lot, Isobel when exploiting people becomes art. It is the art of wickedness that triumphs over the art common decency.

Its cheap sensationalism, they count on reactions like your own to raise the artists profile, its the emperors new clothes scenario though. Underneath all the hype there is nothing of substance.

Isobel

Tue 27th Aug 2013 23:06

'Follow compassion not fashion, for that never grows old'

Admirable words, Ged - if only compassion were a universal quality.

I went to the Tate gallery in Liverpool today and ended up leaving in a rage. In the name of art, they were showing a video on the second floor; a row of women sat straddling chairs, having one ugly black line tattooed across their backs. They were Italian drug addicted prostitutes, who had agreed to have this done for the money. The video was supposed to explore exploitation and objectification of the human body. I think they should have included soul somewhere.

I was enraged that the Tate should be complicit with the economic exploitation of those most vulnerable in our society. I wrote a formal complaint before I left the building - I hope other people are as revolted as I am.

I do sometimes wonder where our humanity is going to. That video must have made it's way through all kinds of artistic, intellectual channels before ending up at the Tate. Why couldn't they see what I saw?

Harry O'Neill

Tue 27th Aug 2013 12:11

I like the way you are begining to expand your forms and vary your rhyming styles.

Some wise things in this

Good.

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True life's an art

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