OUR ELDERS SAY…

OUR ELDERS SAY… Do not burn a snakeAccording to its lengthWhy do you make a long fireWill the snake not curlWhen in the heat of the flames? When a child asks for rashesSores somehow, are given to himShould we then, loose our sleepWhen the child cries from painsHas he not been well rewarded? When you allow a stubborn childTo play with the cooking potShould we all be left to starveBecause the naughty youngsterHas poured the soup away? When two people fight, others sufferShould a third party, either a mediatorAn umpire or a broker of peaceTake sides with any of themWill it not sum up to joining in the war? The yam stake goes high upBefore it is pinned to the groundThe tubers are buried in the mouldWill the yam leaves not climb the sticksAccording to their slants and heights? The lion once said to his friendTo be startled is not a fright, you knowHe who runs away from a sudden attackLives to fight and survive another dayWho then calls him a coward? A man cannot climb a treeClapping and waving his handsNor dance carelessly on slippery floorWhen battered by life’s travails, rememberThe man who holds the ground cannot fall

— t. reflexion, Feb 09, 2010

About This Poem

About the Author

Country/Region: NGA

Favorite Poets: Inspired by an article in an old manuscript , It reads:, AXIOMS OF PERFECTION, In the physical order – In the realization of the dream of beauty, In the moral order – In the realization of the dream of love, In the intellectual order – In the realization of dream of poetry, In the spiritual order – In the realization of the dream of the mystics

Critiques

Ravenshakti

16 years 4 months ago

Hello T. Reflexion

I have been contemplating on these wonderful sayings; and I find so much beauty and wisdom in them... These are my favorite: "The lion once said to his friend To be startled is not a fright, you know He who runs away from a sudden attack Lives to fight and survive another day Who then calls him a coward? A man cannot climb a tree Clapping and waving his hands Nor dance carelessly on slippery floor When battered by life’s travails, remember The man who holds the ground cannot fall" I just want to thank you, for sharing these lovely and wise sayings. Gentle regards, Raven

t. reflexion

16 years 4 months ago

Thank you too...

That your ears are sensitive to what the elders say, means, you are growing in wisdom. For your time and comments, again, I say thank you and best wishes. T.