TONY ON INDIVIDUALITY & MORE
Posted by anthonynorth on February 27, 2009
Including One Single Impression, Heads or Tails and Monday Poetry Train.
More prompts below. Have you had a go yet?
PAPPA RAZZI – The Individual is King. Oh dear!
Hail to you! The individual is king! Long live the individual!
We live in a world of individuality today. Such a concept is required, for in a mass-consumer world, choice is everything.
This is what individuality is about.
The right to grasp our lives and make of it what we will, based purely on our own choice to decide. But how valid are our ‘choices’ in the world at large?
Do we make a choice to walk in front of that car that hits us and changes our life forever? Do we make a choice that our loved one will suddenly stop loving us, sending our life into chaos?
Sadly, our ability to choose is restricted by society.
Even culture plays its part, often defining what kind of person you are based on a stereotypical image of your ‘type’.
Yes, we do have choices within this social/cultural mix, but to say our personal choice is everything is a con. And there is a very good reason why it exists.
The idea of our individuality means that we deny everything above it. Hence, society, community, culture, even religions, fall by the way side as the individual marches on. An this leaves us with a society that is both atheistic and materialistic.
The upshot of such views on life is that there is no ‘meaning’ to be had above the individual. Rather, the individual must make his own meaning. But from where can his ‘meaning’ come?
Oh, that one’s easy. Just look at society today and you’ll find ‘meaning’ exists in the fads and fashions of consumerism – in our power to ‘buy’ the meaning we want.
Handy, that. Isn’t it?
© Anthony North, February 2009
GREEN NEWS: Analysis shows developing countries
rec’d less than 10% of money promised by rich
states to fight warming. Hot air is rising.
*
BRIT NEWS: Ivan, 6yr old son of Tory leader David Cameron
has died. He had cerebral palsy/epilepsy. Our thoughts are
with the family.
*
BRIT NEWS: City of London banks should be supervised by
European watchdog, says report. Never! By our own govt.
Cooperate, don’t assimilate.
*
HEALTH NEWS: Black tea as good for health as green, it
seems. Blocks bad cholesterol from blood. Good news for
black tea drinkers like me.
*
BRIT NEWS: Two thirds of voters think Brown is hampering
Labour’s chance of re-election. This sounds like an
excellent reason to keep him.
*
BRIT NEWS: Primary education deficient. Most time on
English, Math & tests. Education today all about preparing
for work instead of life.
*
GREEN NEWS: Pools of melt water in Arctic causing ice
to melt faster. When sceptics rubbish theory errors,
please think: it works both ways.
*
BRIT NEWS: Brits storm the Oscars. Which proves that,
for excellence, you don’t need massive budgets or
stunning beauties. Sorry Kate.
Find fiction and poetry on comment 1 below
RATTLER’S TALE
A Voyage of the Imagination
**********
CIRCLES
Circles, ultimate perfection,
Providing comfort, protection,
Keeping chaos out of the way,
perfect balance on display;
Circles describe everything,
The universe, it’s concentric rings,
Gravity forming celestial orbs,
Vessels of life, in the darkness daubed;
Not only above, but also within,
The mind, its thoughts – goodness, sin,
Descending deeper, psychological haze,
The mandala, its rings – descent to a maze;
And so to life, the ultimate glow,
Advancing, changing, thriving so,
Yet always returning to where it began,
Going round forever, a Divine plan;
Circles exist in everything,
Life, the Cosmos, mind, we sing,
Onwards, marching in harmony,
And then back to the beginning our destiny
(c) Anthony North, February 2009
******************************
GETTING THERE – Fiction
The urge had to come. He’d been just lying around too long. And when it came he just dived. Down the shoot he went, not stopping, now, for anything. The impulses drove him onwards and downwards, and when he exited into the light, he looked at all the happy faces, but knew his birth was only the beginning of getting there.
He moved further to getting there when he started school. He always felt better than the rest, and soon asserted himself, becoming the leader of the gang. And the impulse didn’t stop when he reached adolescence and realised the value of – well, you know – girls!
Of course, they didn’t distract him from getting there, and at university he simply had to be the best, getting his first class honours degree. Which certainly helped him to get the best job around. Yet still he didn’t feel he was getting there. But he knew he would.
Getting there was more than just career, though, as you can imagine. Getting there also included getting the perfect wife. And I suppose this is where it was frustrating trying to get there. At least, that was his excuse for his four marriages and four divorces. Although he did seem to get there with his children – three of them. Although they doubted he had got there, especially as they had trouble remembering what he looked like.
He began to think he had come close to getting there when he made his first million, but almost as soon as he’d made it he realised he wanted to make another. Getting there, it seemed, was a bigger thing than he’d ever imagined.
Which was maybe why, in his fifties, he had such a big midlife crisis. Never mind the Porsche – he had to have a fleet of Ferraris – and young girls by the … well, quite a lot.
It was as he was in the midst of his midlife crisis he suddenly realised something profound. Namely, getting there just wasn’t worth it. And that’s when he became the philanthropist and took a small cottage in the country looking at life for the first time. And you know what?
Finally, he got there.
© Anthony North, February 2009
TONY’S POETRY CHAIN
Call back Wed. See it grow.
Sunday Scribblings – Manic Monday
Search Engine Stories – ReadWritePoem
Totally Optional Prompts – Three Word Wednesday
IT’S LOST
It’s gone, it has, it’s really lost,
Who can say what is the cost,
From this moment on, all is changed,
Everything is suddenly deranged;
Must work it out, let’s use some stealth,
Have I lost the world, or just myself?
WAFFLE THOUGHTS
I think it through; I try to do,
But strange invasions rise anew,
This isn’t me, where have I gone?
Why am I singing a different song?
My mind, disjointed, fevered, lost,
Waffle rising, insanity embossed
TAKE ME WITH YOU
What is real, what is not?
My mind descending into rot,
Visions fill my destiny,
Offer a wave; is that ET?
I realise, now, a universal glue;
Such happiness
Please!! Take me with you
MEANING … WHAT?
Into the light, nothing to see,
Dead of night, all’s a tree,
Ultimate knowledge, fades away,
All the answers on display,
Wrapped in a riddle, a paradox, a lie,
I grasped it! It escaped me!
Sigh
CHORES BORES
Am I a mystic? Washing to do
Found the truth? Clean the loo
As one with the Cosmos? Oven on
Above is below? Routine’s song;
Living in spirit is marvellous joy,
High in the clouds, nothing to annoy
Until the material re-connects,
My mind’s lost – it can only vex
INDIVIDUAL v EVERYTHING
A mind of my own, the genuine thing,
Thoughts are whole, never ramble, sing,
Until invasions pollute it all,
Possessions from where individual’s fall,
Into a universal, collective mind,
Leaving sanity far behind;
But is this how it should always be,
The individual the avenger of mystery?
(c) Anthony North, February/March 2009
anthonynorth said
SOME RECENT TWEETS
Sci Fi: 0600: Rise. 0800: Work. 1200: Meal (2 pills). 1700: Program connect – hopefully history software can teach them to be human again.
*
Fiction: I’d lost my leg, it was as simple as that. There was no pain and I just looked at it, lying there. What a clumsy sculptor I am.
*
Fiction: It was supposed to be reality TV. No wonder the producer rejected these wannabees. They were too – well – how can I put it? – real.
*
Ruthlessly they go through life / Working hard, take a wife / Making money all the time / no idea about life divine
*
Fiction: I don’t think I can cope with them anymore. They haunt me always, and I’m terrified of them, the living. And me a ghost, as well.
*
Damn that thought, it isn’t mine / Who’s psyche does, here, entwine? / Get away, you’re so very sad / Surely enough to drive me mad
*
Fiction: She was famous now. She’d never done anything to deserve it – which was the point. A celebrity for not wanting to be one.
*
Ode to Smoothies: Is that Mr Cool / Sitting by the swimming pool / All the ladies constantly drool / Yet he’s shallow – quite a fool
*
Fiction: If they closed the curtains I’d die, I knew. I pleaded on the cell phone, but no. At least, cremation is quicker than buried alive.
*
So much wear and tear / Going through life’s great fare / Doing things to the full / But grateful for an occasional lull
*
Fiction: I needed the shower – I really did – but I was afraid. I looked into her eyes. The Madness. The hate. And I thought, psycho.
*
The film it rolls, telling of my past / Events forever elapse / Things I did right, while some were wrong / But no one turned the camera on
*
Fiction: He passed the houses. Affair in that one. Next? Divorce. After that? Murder. He got to his own house. Paused. Thought. Walked away.
*
I write poetry all the time / Mind in gear, let it chime / Often they make no sense at all / But I’m not bothered – words enthrall
Follow me on Twitter
SandyCarlson said
The idea of individuality is good only insofar as we recognize our responsibility and the power and freedom of that responsibility. Only then can the basic nature of our interconnectedness bear fruit. Individuality as selfishness and selfcenteredness has caused so much trouble. Individuality as responsibility can make for some very good change.
anthonynorth said
Hi Sandy,
An excellent point. So often individuality is seen in terms of ‘rights’ alone. We forget there are ‘duties’. But this is the problem: duties exist in a world where there’s more than the individual, and so many of us have lost the sense of this.
Jeeves said
In search of individuality, do we lose ourselves. Search seems eternal.
anthonynorth said
Hi Jeeves,
I suppose I’d never want any search concerning the self or knowledge to end. What would we do then? I feel it is the journey that is the imortant part.
Linda G said
Hi Anthony,
Me thinks you are speaking of pseudo-individuality- which denigates individuality.
As to that, I agree entirely.
anthonynorth said
Hi Linda,
Never come across that term before, but I like it. Sums it up quite well
Granny Smith said
I especially liked the “getting there” story. It follows well the thoughts on individuality and its limitations.
anthonynorth said
Hi Granny Smith,
Many thanks. Yes, we’re taken over by this thing called individuality, and it drives us on, missing so much of life.
Twilight said
It’s odd though, isn’t it, AN, that though people prize individuality (or what they see as such) so many of ‘em act like sheep….”the sheeple”. It’s a curious combination of mindsets.
I enjoyed the ‘Circles’ poem and ‘Getting There’ story – nice segué !
Fledgling Poet said
“Just look at society today and you’ll find ‘meaning’ exists in the fads and fashions of consumerism – in our power to ‘buy’ the meaning we want.
Handy, that. Isn’t it?” Handy, indeed…and very, very sad, isn’t it? There’s such an emptiness in this type of search, which is why maybe people are never satisfied.
I loved your Circles poem, and also It’s Lost. Very enjoyable post, as always. :~)
anthonynorth said
Hi Twilight,
Thanks for that. Yes, I’ve often noticed this phenomenon. When a dozen people say they’re an individual, they say it as one, usually wearing the same type of clothes, with the same lifestyle, same interests, same eating habits, same …
Well, I think the point is made
Hi Fledgling Poet,
Many thanks. Yes, consumerism has become all, and in that, meanings are necessarily shallow – otherwise you wouldn’t cast your purchases off so quick for the next fad.
Chris said
Hi Anthony,
I thought that it was impossible to ‘buy’ meaning, I thought that one had to ‘earn’ it, I had better investigate this more thoroughly!
anthonynorth said
Hi Chris,
It is impossible to buy meaning, but easy to make you think you can
Rinkly Rimes said
So you’ve lost yourself! Well, the saga is to be continued so I wonder where you’ll be found!
floreta said
i really enjoyed your getting there fiction… almost could be the ‘lost’ theme too.. there’s just more and more to reach for.. never satisfied with what you’ve got. sad.
anthonynorth said
Hi Rinkly Rimes,
Good point. And I don’t know myself, yet. Not all the prompts are in to which I continue my poetry chain. That’s the fun in the idea.
Hi Floreta,
Thanks for that. Yes, we’re promised so much nowadays, as long as we strive for it. Yet so often, all that is offered is pointless in the end.
Linda may said
G’Day Tony,
Great post. Loved getting there.
The first bit “Individuality” conjured an image for me of something wrapped in skin.Like an orange, or similar. Individuality tightly enclosed by culture and fashion.
anthonynorth said
Hi Linda,
I like your analogy there. Sums it up nicely. Many thanks for the kind words.
Lilibeth said
On the way to your lost poem I enjoyed the Brit news. Once, years ago in college, I took a couple semesters of British history, but I haven’t kept up. I do like British writers best though and I imagine such things as moors, heather, and downs. I used to listen to the house of commons on television and try to follow the debates, but lately… well Britain is lost in the present flurry of my life in the US. Thanks for the glimpses of what is going on over there.
james said
the only free choice one has in ones life is which society do you belong too. The rest is down to that enivorment you put yourself in. That is the only free choice we have.
The rest may appear to be free choice but it is not, how much does your society of country effect you, how much does your parents effect you, how much your body effect you.
anthonynorth said
Hi Lilibeth,
Thanks for that and you’re welcome. I presently live just off one of those moors. A magical place.
Hi James,
We’re almost in agreement here, with one proviso. I’d deny that we can even choose our society. That is a privilege of the rich or lucky.
Linda G said
Hi Anthony,
You’ve gotten me thinking of individuality in the context of the global financial mess that is currently unfolding.
In the USA, the gov’t is is becoming more Socialistic as it attempts to remedy various social & economic pressures. In doing so- if successful- I think we will see a shift away from individualism. We will be expected to do with less & to do more for those in need. And I don’t forsee this change ending any time soon- it is our near future.
So what new message will Big Biz/Big Gov’t be sending to entice us to its will?
Pretty Prats said
“getting there” and “lost” were nice
anthonynorth said
Hi Linda,
Individuality seems to grow in terms of affluence, I find. So in a way there’s a selfishness to it. This is why community lessens. History usually shows that people are drawn into a political whole, not by patriotism, but by the need to feel protected. Hence, to feel you need to be protected, you need to be fearful of something.
As I see it, western govt has been carefully hyping so many fears of late. They always seem to be ahead of us, don’t they?
Hi Pretty Prats,
Thanks for that. Glad you liked them.
Tumblewords said
For sure, what we knew has gone missing…I’ll be back in a minute to see if you’ve found it somewhere in the chain!
Linda G said
Hi Anthony,
You’ve given me something else to ponder- I agree on the fearfulness that has been promulgated since 9/11. What I want to be able to do is tie in the “irrational exuberance” (Alan Greenspan’s famous words) that rose to the surface several times during the period. Extreme swings. And yes, the author knows the end of the story before his audience..
Selma said
Your ‘Circles’ poem reminds me of a song I used to sing with the school choir, ‘Windmills Of Your Mind.’
‘Like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel….’
I think the individual, like Elvis, is dead. Although occasionally there are sightings of both….
anthonynorth said
Hi Tumblewords,
I’m sure I’ll find my way, eventually
Hi Linda,
As for irrational exuberance, I think the answer is found in cult watching. I’m convinced the processes involved in their excess is simply an extreme form of ‘normal’ behaviour exhibited by society in general. I identify it quickly in the link below. If you relate it to the incidents you speak of, you may find a similar process. If you want a deeper look at the subject, if you click PSYCHO MAN at top of site, you’ll find two pages devoted to cults in more detail.
http://beyondtheblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/tt-12-how-to-explain-cults
Hi Selma,
Oh, I love that song, and as the title to The Thomas Crown Affair, it also reminds me of McQueen, my all time favourite Hollywood actor.
I love your last sentence. I was just saying to him …
KiteHorse said
As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of a chrysolite; and the four had the same likeness, their construction being as it were a wheel within a wheel.
- Ezekiel
BRIAN:
Look. You’ve got it all wrong.
You don’t need to follow me. You don’t need to follow anybody! You’ve got to think for yourselves. You’re all individuals!
FOLLOWERS:
Yes, we’re all individuals!
- Life of Brian
SandyCarlson said
Love the circles poem, Anthony. I am wondering how it came to be that this image emerged from the chaos of life. How did we first detect this image? Find the patterns?
Rachel Green said
Fascinating. I have to say: I enjoy your tweets throughout the day.
anthonynorth said
Hi Kitehorse,
Some interesting writings there. The Life of Brian one is excellent. As for Ezekiel, are you aware many think he was describing a UFO landing in the passage you’ve taken that from?
Hi Sandy,
I’ve often thought that the various creation myths actually speak of the birth of knowledge. If you’re interested, I wrote about it here:
http://beyondtheblog.wordpress.com/2007/09/16/creation-and-meaning
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for that. And I’m pleased you’re enjoying my Tweets. I’m loving doing them
Beth Patterson said
Hi Anthony–
Thanks for this–
I really liked ‘lost’. That was so circular and spot-on…
I loved what you wrote on Amias’ post–but I hope you know that your poetry is very much appreciated–non-haiku that it may be!
Thanks for your commitment to your craft, Anthony–
anthonynorth said
Hi Beth,
Many thanks. I think a writer always wants that appreciation, even when they say they don’t. A very kind comment.
Geraldine said
I like your take on the Circles prompt. They do offer protection of a sort, don’t they. Tres interesting Tony. As usual, so much to enjoy here.
Hugs, G
anthonynorth said
Hi Geraldine,
Many thanks. I’m pleased you like the post. Yes, I think circles enclose, offering protection.
Quietpaths said
Anthony, you really have a gem in the Circles verse. I read it more than once. Thanks for your insight and speaking true…
anthonynorth said
Hi Quietpaths,
Thanks for those lovely words. Much appreciated.
Deborah Godin said
You’ve put so much verve and life into those circles!
anthonynorth said
Hi Deborah,
Thanks for that. I’m pleased you think so.
danni said
interesting how nicely your verse on circles dovetails with the story of getting there — it can all be one huge vicious circle by times this going through life business, can’t it??? — great insight put out imaginatively and enjoyably once more!!!
Jamie said
This is long, but it is my favorite quote on the subjects of choice and duty courtesy of Robert Heinlein in “Time Enough For Love”.
Do not confuse “duty” with what other people expect of you; they are utterly different. Duty is a debt you owe to yourself to fulfill obligations you have assumed voluntarily. Paying that debt can entail anything from years of patient work to instant willingness to die. Difficult it may be, but the reward is self-respect.
But there is no reward at all for doing what other people expect of you, and to do so is not merely difficult, but impossible. It is easier to deal with a footpad than it is with the leech who wants “just a few minutes of your time, please — this won’t take long.” Time is your total capital, and the minutes of your life are painfully few. If you allow yourself to fall into the vice of agreeing to such requests, they quickly snowball to the point where these parasites will use up 100 percent of your time — and squawk for more!
So learn to say No — and to be rude about it when necessary.
Otherwise you will not have time to carry out your duty, or to do your own work, and certainly no time for love and happiness. The termites will nibble away your life and leave none of it for you.
(This rule does not mean that you must not do a favor for a friend, or even a stranger. But let the choice be yours. Don’t do it because it is “expected” of you.)
anthonynorth said
Hi Danni,
Thanks for that. Sometimes I’m surprised how the magazine post fits together myself, especially as I don’t always know all the prompts before I start.
Hi Jamie,
I like Heinlein as a writer, and this quote is so true. Duty is a standard you set yourself, or it means nothing.
SandyCarlson said
“Waffle Thought” is exactly me right now.
Chris said
Hi Anthony,
I meant to say yesterday that your “CIRCLES” poem is my favourite………………………….so far!
Do I detect some Eastern philosophy sneaking (if a tank can sneak that is!) into the ‘mix’.
It’s lucky that the gentleman in “GETTING THERE”, got off of the linearly focused, materially driven ‘treadmill’ of life, travelled ‘full circle’, re-found himself at the beginning of his real, spiritual life. That’s when the ‘richness’ kicks in and you find yourself “there”.
Personally I think that everybody has the potential to ‘get there’, once they’ve gotten past consumerism, that is!
Jim said
Hi Anthony, yes, circles can explain a lot of our world (“Circles describe everything”). But maybe not the flat world, global warming, or a straight line?? Everything is an open inviatation for an argument.
I liked your poem, you left a lot to think about.
..
anthonynorth said
Hi Sandy,
I think we all go through such moments.
Hi Chris,
Yes, consumerism is certainly a bar to such spirituality, but if we try really hard – with a tank full of eastern thought, of course – and cheaper than petrol
Hi Jim,
Thanks for that. As for your straight line, there is, of course, no such thing. Draw the longest straight line you can on the planet and it will go right round, forming a circle
julia said
‘Circles’ is my favorite today:
‘Circles, ultimate perfection,
Providing comfort, protection,
Keeping chaos out of the way,
perfect balance on display’
anthonynorth said
Hi Julia,
Thanks for that. I’m pleased you liked it. Much appreciated.
Kilauea Poetry said
Hey Anthony..Liked your circles..they do often describe everything-
“power to ‘buy’ the meaning we want.” I hear you…
Tumblewords said
Lovely circles, evermore.
bundleocontradictions said
The interesting thing about individuality is that ultimately all of us individuals are a lot more alike than we’d care to admit.
“Getting There”-I have to wonder just how many people move through life the same way. Heck, to me being @ home in the evening with my pets & husband is “there!”
anthonynorth said
Hi Kilauea Poetry,
Thanks for that. I’m pleased you liked the poem.
Hi Tumblewords,
Many thanks. Such a lovely, meaningful word, ‘evermore’.
Hi Bundleocontradictions,
As for individuals, as I see it, the more the claim is made, the more they are the same.
You’ve got a good definition of ‘there’ there
Sue said
Sometimes it takes going through a mid-life crisis to finally figure out what is truly important. Great HOT entry!
anthonynorth said
Hi Sue,
This is how it is for so many. If only they could realise before this. Thanks for the kind comment.
Sweet Talking Guy.. said
Hi Tony, love the thought that ‘circles describe everything’
anthonynorth said
Hi Andy,
Thanks for that – it certainly seems to be so to me.
Skittles said
This was one I understood the first time through.. but I can’t figure out how to express how good it was!
stan said
What goes round, comes round – eventually. No matter what choices we make.
Getting there – what we all want to do.
Going…going – Gone!
teric said
Your circle poetry is just beautiful and heart-felt. Thank you.
Simone said
The Story of getting there is gem, a parable.
Love your poetry.
anthonynorth said
Hi Skittles,
Thanks for that. I think you said it
Hi Stan,
Yes, I’m sure everything is cyclic. Mindst you, not gone yet. Still more to do on the poetry chain. As I haven’t had the final prompt yet, no idea where it’ll end up.
Hi Teric,
Many thanks, and you’re welcome.
Hi Simone,
Thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated.
Chris said
Hi Anthony,
You’re not ready for the ‘final prompt’ yet, you’ve still got more poetry to do, and of course you know where its going to end up, back at the beginning, “everything is cyclic.”
anthonynorth said
Hi Chris,
I’ve put two more poems on since that last comment, and one more to do – the prompt is published about 1100 GMT tomorrow.
You could be right, maybe not. It’s poetry – I don’t have to stick to the plan
Maggie said
It seems to me one of the things I recall being taught while I was going to school was to follow other people`s examples and it was only in later years it dawned on me to travel my own path…sometimes, rocky but of my own making.
You do give much to think about.
Chris said
Hi Anthony,
Please forgive me for this, but, that Mascoogy post is nothing less than brilliant!
Chris said
Hi Anthony,
Bugger, I missed an L, I hate it when that happens.
anthonynorth said
Hi Maggie,
Thanks for that. I think everyone’s path is rocky at times. That’s how we learn to be wise – the mistakes.
Hi Chris,
For those kind words, I’ll forgive you
Misty Dawn said
So glad he realized he was ‘there’. I am saddened for those who never ‘get there’ because they don’t realize where ‘there’ is and how great it can be to just enjoy ‘being there’.
anthonynorth said
Hi Misty Dawn,
I so agree with you. It took me a while to find it, but I suppose I found it earlier than many.
Lisa said
But the small cottage eventually seemed empty because he didn’t have someone with whom to share it? Right? Seriously … I need the “perfect” romantic closure here … a true love has to be lurking somewhere … doesn’t it?
anthonynorth said
Hi Lisa,
He’ll get there
Tricia said
Thought provoking as always, my favorites this week are Circles & Getting There. Thanks for stopping by and thank you for the compliment.
anthonynorth said
Hi Tricia,
Thanks for that, and you’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Hootin' Anni said
You beat me over to my place before I could come visit with you for Heads or Tails this week….I’m so far behind. LOL
I adore the story about getting there with mid-life crisis. I think I’ve been on that same road before! And I’m there!!!
Have a great Tuesday afternoon Anthony.
anthonynorth said
Hi Hootin’ Anni,
Thanks for that, and I’m glad you’ve got there. A good place to be
Tumblewords said
‘Getting There’ – lots of truth in that short piece of fiction.
anthonynorth said
Hi Tumblewords,
Many thanks. But a truth many don’t want to hear until they’re ready to hear it.
I think that makes sense
lucy said
great ‘getting there’ Anthony! That first line killed me … The shoot?? hahaah
getting there isn’t as important and seeing clearly what is truly important.
Nice job! (glad u specified it was fiction, I thought possibly at first it wasnt)
anthonynorth said
Hi Lucy,
Thanks for that. As is often the case, there’s a lot of ‘fact’ in most fiction – although I don’t remember going down the shoot myself
piatsa said
I liked and related to “getting there” Glad it was fiction also. I believe there’s generally more truth in fiction than in “fact”
I couldn’t help but read the comments. I don’t think the Obama admin will bring an end to individualism in America. if anything true individualism will rise as for eight years we were in a prison of sorts.
anthonynorth said
Hi Piatsa,
Thanks for that, and welcome. You could be right about more truth in fiction than in fact. And I like the way you describe the 8 years of prison.
ThomG said
Great use of the three words, which I had trouble with. And I picked them.
anthonynorth said
Hi Thom,
Thanks for that. Great honesty there
Tumblewords said
Yes, it will. Probably. Always. I love your chains. They are so cool -
anthonynorth said
Hi Tumblewords,
Many thanks. I’ll try not to disappoint in the next one.
Amias said
As usual Anthony, you have so much to think about, that it usually takes me a couple of read, and my trusted dictionary, to get a handle on everything.
But I can say this, the rights of the individual has been blown so far out of proportions, it infringes on the rights of others. In a situation like this, it’s no wonder folks are buying and selling their own individual beliefs; just look at religions all over the world — it’s a buyer’s market. Everyone is trying to become the “material girl”.
I so enjoy your poetry … and the style in which you write. Whenever I read it I buckle up my seat belt because I know I am in for a mental ride … and it’s always enjoyable.
anthonynorth said
Hi Amias,
Thanks for those lovely words. Much appreciated.
I agree with you on individuality – it is more a marketing concept than a reality, I’m sure.
Linda Jacobs said
you got that right as far as chores are concerned! Great and appropriate word: vex! I like it!
Tumblewords said
Chores Bores. Yup. There is that about living in another world – makes ‘material’ harder to see. Grin. Good chain…
anthonynorth said
Hi Linda,
Thanks for that. Yes, it has a ring to it
Hi Tumblewords,
Many thanks. There are many times I try not to see it
angie said
Hi, Anthony!
Thank you so much for your kind comments on my poems! It is so nice to read them.
Now, on to this post! As always, a wonderful read! I was thinking about your thoughts on individuality…then your Chores poem. I don’t think we are ever truly individual; I think most of that is delusion. Just thinking about chores emphasizes this. No matter who we are…how different we think we must be from our neighbor…we still have to clean up the messes we make in our lives. And we all make basically the same mess!
Thanks for the thought candy, Anthony!
anthonynorth said
Hi Angie,
Thanks for that, and you’re welcome. You make a good point there. Yes, the basics have a habit of bringing us back down to Earth.