Pearls of Wisdom

[tectak]

Edit 1 billy

To enter in, the knife must be both slick and keen.
The clamped, thick shell, held fast by might,
determined to resist; yet fight
is but a static hold which by
a twist and snap, the oysters die
and there within the pearl is seen.

Yet few contain this lustrous orb, this gleaming prize,
that certainty needs numbers high;
no one is sure, so many try.
Like pearls of wisdom, rare indeed,
and valued thus, subject to greed,
by those pretenders… wishful wise.

Great men who wisdom held to be, wise in their lives
in quanta dispensate their word;
in but a quiet quote, just heard.
Yet for this gifted, crafted tome
wars end in peace and soldiers, home,
lay in their beds with grateful wives.

Mahatmas bother, fuss and seek to cultivate
the pearl as pure as unbreathed air,
that journeys, bliss-filled, take few there;
to mocksha where all wisdom lies
and bodhi…man, in flesh despised,
becomes by truth , initiate.

Did Plato then a pearl dispense to Aristotle in his youth?
And if the truth of this is clear
was wisdom passed from one great seer
by written word and anecdote?
Or by a meme; the wise will note
that wisdom substitutes for proof.

Tectak
2011


Already posted in another place but mildly edited for the prestigious critics on this site. You know who you are.
What is wisdom?

[billy]

To enter in the knife must be both slick and keen. it feels like a comma is missing from somewhere in the line
The clamped, thick shell, held fast by might,
determined to resist; yet fight
is but a static hold which by
a twist and snap, the oysters die
and there within the pearl is seen.

Yet few contain this lustrous orb, this gleaming prize,
that certainty needs numbers high;
no one is sure, so many try.
like pearls of wisdom, rare indeed, would something else instead of pearls create a better if more abstract simile, my suggestion would be 'grains'
and valued thus, subject to greed,
by those pretenders… wishful wise.

Great men who wisdom held to be, wise in their lives lots of repetition which doesn't really work for me
in quanta dispensate their word; i like the way this line hold fast just enough to take in the eloquence of quanta.
in but a quiet quote, just heard.
Yet for this gifted, crafted tome
wars end in peace and soldiers, home,
lay in their beds with grateful wives. good end to the stanza.

Mahatmas bother, fuss and seek to cultivate
a pearl so pure, so scarce and rare, scarce equates to much with rare, and we have 'pearl' again
that journeys, bliss-filled, take few there;
to mocksha where all wisdom lies
and bodhi…man, in flesh despised,
becomes by truth , initiate. the stanza has a strong religious feel to it, i knew what mocksha was, but had to google bodhi...it was worth it.

Did Plato then a pearl dispense to Aristotle in his youth? another pearl
And if the truth of this is clear
was wisdom passed from one great seer
by written word and anecdote?
Or by a meme; the wise will note
that wisdom substitutes for proof. good good finish

Tectak
2011


Already posted in another place but mildly edited for the prestigious critics on this site. You know who you are.
What is wisdom?

the last stanza i really enjoyed, it flowed effortlessly. i really think the poem could do with less of the repetitions, 'wisdom' 'pearl/s' 'wise'.
i like the different levels of pearl/s the poem goes through. i like the way it's equated with life, death, greed etc.
thanks for the read

[tectak]

To enter in the knife must be both slick and keen. it feels like a comma is missing from somewhere in the line
The clamped, thick shell, held fast by might,
determined to resist; yet fight
is but a static hold which by
a twist and snap, the oysters die
and there within the pearl is seen.

Yet few contain this lustrous orb, this gleaming prize,
that certainty needs numbers high;
no one is sure, so many try.
like pearls of wisdom, rare indeed, would something else instead of pearls create a better if more abstract simile, my suggestion would be 'grains'
and valued thus, subject to greed,
by those pretenders… wishful wise.

Great men who wisdom held to be, wise in their lives lots of repetition which doesn't really work for me
in quanta dispensate their word; i like the way this line hold fast just enough to take in the eloquence of quanta.
in but a quiet quote, just heard.
Yet for this gifted, crafted tome
wars end in peace and soldiers, home,
lay in their beds with grateful wives. good end to the stanza.

Mahatmas bother, fuss and seek to cultivate
a pearl so pure, so scarce and rare, scarce equates to much with rare, and we have 'pearl' again
that journeys, bliss-filled, take few there;
to mocksha where all wisdom lies
and bodhi…man, in flesh despised,
becomes by truth , initiate. the stanza has a strong religious feel to it, i knew what mocksha was, but had to google bodhi...it was worth it.

Did Plato then a pearl dispense to Aristotle in his youth? another pearl
And if the truth of this is clear
was wisdom passed from one great seer
by written word and anecdote?
Or by a meme; the wise will note
that wisdom substitutes for proof. good good finish

Tectak
2011


Already posted in another place but mildly edited for the prestigious critics on this site. You know who you are.
What is wisdom?

the last stanza i really enjoyed, it flowed effortlessly. i really think the poem could do with less of the repetitions, 'wisdom' 'pearl/s' 'wise'.
i like the different levels of pearl/s the poem goes through. i like the way it's equated with life, death, greed etc.
thanks for the read

You're up early, billy. Piss the bed? Thanks for response. Yes to the comma. Will add. This whole piece is an extended metaphor on the definition or the value of "wisdom" and the cliche of "pearls of wisdom" seems apposite on many levels. What inherent value in a pearl? The pearl is a beautiful thing but an irritant, initially, to the oyster. Showed we show off our pearls or keep them in the safe? Etc etc. So no apologies for the repetition
Best,
Tectak

---

To enter in the knife must be both slick and keen. it feels like a comma is missing from somewhere in the line
The clamped, thick shell, held fast by might,
determined to resist; yet fight
is but a static hold which by
a twist and snap, the oysters die
and there within the pearl is seen.

Yet few contain this lustrous orb, this gleaming prize,
that certainty needs numbers high;
no one is sure, so many try.
like pearls of wisdom, rare indeed, would something else instead of pearls create a better if more abstract simile, my suggestion would be 'grains'
and valued thus, subject to greed,
by those pretenders… wishful wise.

Great men who wisdom held to be, wise in their lives lots of repetition which doesn't really work for me
in quanta dispensate their word; i like the way this line hold fast just enough to take in the eloquence of quanta.
in but a quiet quote, just heard.
Yet for this gifted, crafted tome
wars end in peace and soldiers, home,
lay in their beds with grateful wives. good end to the stanza.

Mahatmas bother, fuss and seek to cultivate
a pearl so pure, so scarce and rare, scarce equates to much with rare, and we have 'pearl' again
that journeys, bliss-filled, take few there;
to mocksha where all wisdom lies
and bodhi…man, in flesh despised,
becomes by truth , initiate. the stanza has a strong religious feel to it, i knew what mocksha was, but had to google bodhi...it was worth it.

Did Plato then a pearl dispense to Aristotle in his youth? another pearl
And if the truth of this is clear
was wisdom passed from one great seer
by written word and anecdote?
Or by a meme; the wise will note
that wisdom substitutes for proof. good good finish

Tectak
2011


Already posted in another place but mildly edited for the prestigious critics on this site. You know who you are.
What is wisdom?

the last stanza i really enjoyed, it flowed effortlessly. i really think the poem could do with less of the repetitions, 'wisdom' 'pearl/s' 'wise'.
i like the different levels of pearl/s the poem goes through. i like the way it's equated with life, death, greed etc.
thanks for the read

You're up early, billy. Piss the bed? Thanks for response. Yes to the comma. Will add. This whole piece is an extended metaphor on the definition or the value of "wisdom" and the cliche of "pearls of wisdom" seems apposite on many levels. What inherent value in a pearl? The pearl is a beautiful thing but an irritant, initially, to the oyster. Should we show off our pearls or keep them in the safe? Etc etc. So no apologies for the repetition
Best,
Tectak

[billy]

no, just about to watch the grand prix f1.
i think i had a flash of de javu

[Bronte]

Edit 1 billy

To enter in, the knife must be both slick and keen.
The clamped, thick shell, held fast by might,
determined to resist; yet fight
is but a static hold which by
a twist and snap, the oysters die
and there within the pearl is seen.

Yet few contain this lustrous orb, this gleaming prize,
that certainty needs numbers high;
no one is sure, so many try.
Like pearls of wisdom, rare indeed,
and valued thus, subject to greed,
by those pretenders… wishful wise.

Great men who wisdom held to be, wise in their lives
in quanta dispensate their word;
in but a quiet quote, just heard.
Yet for this gifted, crafted tome
wars end in peace and soldiers, home,
lay in their beds with grateful wives.

Mahatmas bother, fuss and seek to cultivate
the pearl as pure as unbreathed air,
that journeys, bliss-filled, take few there;
to mocksha where all wisdom lies
and bodhi…man, in flesh despised,
becomes by truth , initiate.

Did Plato then a pearl dispense to Aristotle in his youth?
And if the truth of this is clear
was wisdom passed from one great seer
by written word and anecdote?
Or by a meme; the wise will note
that wisdom substitutes for proof.

Tectak
2011


Already posted in another place but mildly edited for the prestigious critics on this site. You know who you are.
What is wisdom?

hell I liked it My head is too out of sort to pick fault and for me that is a good thing, maybe later after I have slept I might trash it but right now mate it was just waht I needed. ><

---

but if I had to I would put it back the way you wrote it thus my head is full of word song mate you cant fool this old bird and this is how I readit!


To enter in, the knife must be both slick and keen.
The clamped, thick shell, held fast by might, determined
to resist; yet fight is but a static hold which by a twist
and snap, the oysters die and there within the pearl is seen.

Yet few contain this lustrous orb, this gleaming prize,
that certainty needs numbers high; no one is sure, so many try.
Like pearls of wisdom, rare indeed,and valued thus,
subject to greed,by those pretenders… wishful wise.

Great men who wisdom held to be, wise in their lives
in quanta dispensate their word; in but a quiet quote,
just heard.Yet for this gifted, crafted tome wars end
in peace and soldiers, home,lay in their beds with grateful wives.

[tectak]

Edit 1 billy

To enter in, the knife must be both slick and keen.
The clamped, thick shell, held fast by might,
determined to resist; yet fight
is but a static hold which by
a twist and snap, the oysters die
and there within the pearl is seen.

Yet few contain this lustrous orb, this gleaming prize,
that certainty needs numbers high;
no one is sure, so many try.
Like pearls of wisdom, rare indeed,
and valued thus, subject to greed,
by those pretenders… wishful wise.

Great men who wisdom held to be, wise in their lives
in quanta dispensate their word;
in but a quiet quote, just heard.
Yet for this gifted, crafted tome
wars end in peace and soldiers, home,
lay in their beds with grateful wives.

Mahatmas bother, fuss and seek to cultivate
the pearl as pure as unbreathed air,
that journeys, bliss-filled, take few there;
to mocksha where all wisdom lies
and bodhi…man, in flesh despised,
becomes by truth , initiate.

Did Plato then a pearl dispense to Aristotle in his youth?
And if the truth of this is clear
was wisdom passed from one great seer
by written word and anecdote?
Or by a meme; the wise will note
that wisdom substitutes for proof.

Tectak
2011


Already posted in another place but mildly edited for the prestigious critics on this site. You know who you are.
What is wisdom?

hell I liked it My head is too out of sort to pick fault and for me that is a good thing, maybe later after I have slept I might trash it but right now mate it was just waht I needed. ><

---

but if I had to I would put it back the way you wrote it thus my head is full of word song mate you cant fool this old bird and this is how I readit!


To enter in, the knife must be both slick and keen.
The clamped, thick shell, held fast by might, determined
to resist; yet fight is but a static hold which by a twist
and snap, the oysters die and there within the pearl is seen.

Yet few contain this lustrous orb, this gleaming prize,
that certainty needs numbers high; no one is sure, so many try.
Like pearls of wisdom, rare indeed,and valued thus,
subject to greed,by those pretenders… wishful wise.

Great men who wisdom held to be, wise in their lives
in quanta dispensate their word; in but a quiet quote,
just heard.Yet for this gifted, crafted tome wars end
in peace and soldiers, home,lay in their beds with grateful wives.

I hate you. You have a very good point. Bugger and thanks.

[Bronte]

[/quote]

I hate you. You have a very good point. Bugger and thanks.
[quote]


that must be the best most honest reply I have had on my ability to read I have ever recived ><

[Philatone]

hello tec! I hope this finds you well
some thoughts

Edit 1 billy

To enter in, the knife must be both slick and keen. ...very nitpicky, but "enter in" felt a bit redundant to me. otherwise, I really like the opening
The clamped, thick shell, held fast by might,
determined to resist; yet fight
is but a static hold which by
a twist and snap, the oysters die
and there within the pearl is seen. ..think this is a strong opening to the poem. It's fitting to begin with the process of getting a pearl, the violence

Yet few contain this lustrous orb, this gleaming prize,..."few" threw me off for a moment; I first thought the subject was "pearl" because that was what the last line ended on. then the "lustrous orb" came, so it couldn't have been described twice...I get it, and though I'm not great at reading, I wanted it to be a little clearer that "oysters" is that "few". however, I do blame myself
that certainty needs numbers high;...understood, but wasn't the biggest fan of "numbers"
no one is sure, so many try.
Like pearls of wisdom, rare indeed,...bridges the physical sense of the word to the figurative
and valued thus, subject to greed,...could drop the second comma
by those pretenders… wishful wise.

Great men who wisdom held to be, wise in their lives...the inversion didn't work as well for me in this line; again, the comma feels like excess
in quanta dispensate their word;
in but a quiet quote, just heard...."just heard" felt like it was tagging alone, not important, used more for form
Yet for this gifted, crafted tome
wars end in peace and soldiers, home,
lay in their beds with grateful wives....strong couplet; "grateful" is wonderful

Mahatmas bother, fuss and seek to cultivate
the pearl as pure as unbreathed air,
that journeys, bliss-filled, take few there; ...the "there" I found interesting, but ultimately I don't think it works before the "mocksha" bit; I find it hard to put a pronoun before the noun it is modifying, especially if it hasn't been used before. I may be too grounded in grammar. perhaps a dash instead of a semicolon could act like a better bridge
to mocksha where all wisdom lies
and bodhi…man, in flesh despised,
becomes by truth , initiate.

Did Plato then a pearl dispense to Aristotle in his youth?
And if the truth of this is clear
was wisdom passed from one great seer....felt unfinished to me; I was expecting a "to __________" but it never came. maybe "passed on from
by written word and anecdote?
Or by a meme; the wise will note
that wisdom substitutes for proof.

Tectak
2011


Already posted in another place but mildly edited for the prestigious critics on this site. You know who you are.
What is wisdom?

i like the explorations of the pearl; you carried it to many places I would never have reached unaided. I also like the subtle hints of violence/ negativity and peace throughout, what with the reference to war, greed, and death.

I'm sorry that my biases appear to have gotten the better of me for a number of my suggestions, but I do hope they can give you something to mull over