Comment from Mastery

Excellent

Hi, Herb. Fine write here. A bit scary...LOL...I know it is probably intentional that you have used red on a black background,but these old eyes had trouble seeing it. Probabaly just me. Take care. Good job. Bob

 Comment Written 19-Jul-2012

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reply by the author on 20-Aug-2012

Thanks, Bob. I not FS no more. Just popping in. Might be back next year. x

Comment from Gungalo

Excellent

Wow, Herb, this is one for the books!! To pull magic from someone else's sweat is a neat trick. When you figure out how you did it, let me know.

 Comment Written 18-Jul-2012

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reply by the author on 18-Jul-2012

haha, will do, but you wouldn't want to, it's not a nice thing to do: To take the praise for something you didn't do. :)

reply by Gungalo on 18-Jul-2012

LOL I guess not.

Comment from Rasp E

Exceptional

Fantastic. I especially love the last line.

I've read it about a dozen times already and am still fascinated by how perfectly balanced it is between hope and disorientation. Progress and uncertainty.

You've just described the human condition so succinctly, and with lovely phrasing. Magic indeed.

 Comment Written 18-Jul-2012

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reply by the author on 18-Jul-2012

Thanks, E. Very kind of you, :) Glad you seen the condition in this, your right, one must go to the bottom in order to start the climb back up. I just hope to stay with my head above water for a little longer this time, LOL, woe is me! I cant half be a baggy-eyed poet sometimes. Baggy-eyed poet, like that, :)

Comment from babylonia

Excellent

seems to me self-respect is the most difficult thing to earn and we get it from ourselves. tragedy that most of us are more critical of us than others. imagery is excellent.
love,
barbara

 Comment Written 18-Jul-2012

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reply by the author on 18-Jul-2012

Thanks barb, it is one of life's great irony's, we are all just fighting ourselves, a personal journey, individual, maybe even hints at a soul. Maybe not, I haven't got a solitary clue. :/

reply by babylonia on 18-Jul-2012

i've actually reached self-actualization before and it was wonderful. it was harder to build than to tear down. that is the sad thing about it. we are constantly being bombarded by negativity. that is the sad part. sigh.
love,
barbara

Comment from terry drake

Excellent

I don't know what the poem has to do with the title. Self respect comes from deeds easily accomplished with precision and accuracy. Your subject takes advantage of someone Else's sweat. Self respect comes from the struggles to achieve something from nothing.

 Comment Written 18-Jul-2012

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reply by the author on 18-Jul-2012

'Self respect comes from deeds easily accomplished with precision and accuracy.' That my friend is the grossest over simplification of all time, well done. Here I have tried to show when one realises he has no respect for himself, it's the first step to obtaining that self respect. Only when we reach the bottom can we begin the climb back up.

reply by terry drake on 18-Jul-2012

I can see how you build self respect from starting with nothing and building yourself up; that allows you to appreciate what you acquire and achieve. I'll reevaluate the poem.

reply by the author on 18-Jul-2012

Exactly, probably will have to go back and make it a bit clearer, thanks. :)

Comment from Anisa-

Excellent

Wow...Sounds like we're both looking to pull out of the darkness and into the light...Good write. Short, but packs a punch. Best wishes to you, my friend, let the journey back be short.

A

 Comment Written 18-Jul-2012

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reply by the author on 18-Jul-2012

Thanks, A, Very kind of you. :)