Pray thee I find within me
gentility or some other saintly wile.
A comforting smile devoid of style
yet full of passion
and compassion.
I have been de-frocked, mocked
and ridiculed –
yet I’m fueled by this fire,
a desire to serve
as an example,
a sample of how-to,
to view the magnificence
in others; sisters and brothers
in this life as it was given.
Living each day in a way
that honors my Maker/Taker,
a real deal breaker.
Pray thee I find him within me
or in failing, find him elsewhere.
© Walter J. Wojtanik – 2016
THROUGH THE EYES OF A POET'S HEART 
Pray thee I find him within me
or in failing, find him elsewhere.
Such wonderful lines 🙂 we chose the same line of thought.
Beautifully expressed.
Lots of love,
Sanaa
Thanks Sanaa! Glad to share that thought!
Walt, it is so nice to see you here! I enjoyed reading this, and especially love the humor in your closing lines.
Thanks Sherry. Always good to be inspired by like minded souls! And good to poke around Poets United again!
What fun! I second your prayer, though I think “saintly wile’ is an oxymoron, and the tone of your poem suggests the narrator is an unlikely candidate. You made laugh. And yet: we must let others find the saintliness in us through our actions–or somewhere else.
Sort of why I choose to look elsewhere, Susan! Thanks for visiting!
Saintliness is so hard to live up to. Your poem is a counsel of perfection.
Consider it a wish list tha I have little expectation of completing, Viv. But hey, a guy can dream! Thank you!
I really enjoyed the rhythm of your words. Living each day in a way that honors creator. Sometimes he finds us…
He does! And Dad was a drummer and I am a musician as well, so I do have a sense of rhythm! So I’m glad you’ve picked up on that. Thanks for your comment.
If you ever find the way of viewing magnificence in others (apart from small children and the saintly few)….please let me know…In this area I am stumbling blind in the wilderness.Long time no see.Your new avatar seems to indicate well being. It must be the saintly life you are leading:)
Good to see you here !
Rall! I have my battles with wellness, but that photo was a very good day! The wilderness isn’t all that bad when you remember you aren’t alone stumbling. Good to be here; glad to see you too!
We should not strive be a saints but merely attempt to do what we know to be right and compassionate.
No delusions here, Egg! We could all stand to be better people. I’ll settle for “a pretty decent guy”! Glad to see you here.
A clever title beautifully expounded – particularly like my maker/taker – so very true
Thanks, Jae Rose. We truly look for it in others, hardly ever in ourselves.
This struck me at a very deep level–that journey that we undertake throughout life with its successes and apparent failures…because I trust and believe that even in the defrocking there is growth to be found.
Thanks Victoria. The journey is long and we may stumble, but we pick ourselves up and carry on!
There is goodness out there; I like your attitude of looking for it in others. No deal breaker if we strive …
Good to see you at PU
Thanks for that! I’ve missed being here at PU. Time I got back into circulation. I guess my optimism is showing, huh?
Walt, what a pleasure to read you today! I love that tug of war within, as displayed by this poem. Isn’t it always the way, hoping that folks find the best within us? Well done, and glad I posted at Poets United to find you! Love, Amy
Thanks, Ames! I’m glad you posted as well. I was just waiting to be found! Missed you! And your kind words are always heartwarming!
My bias for television memories from my childhood kept turning the title to the TV show, lol.
But like the show, your poem highlights the grit it takes to be a person, let alone a good one. Great write!
That television show title was the first thing that popped into my thoughts. Lol.
We all strive to be better people. Some succeed. Those are the ones with whom you surround yourself! Thanks for commenting, Luk!
This is such a gift:
“how-to,
to view the magnificence
in others; sisters and brothers
in this life as it was given.”
to see the best in others and in all…
Thoughtful and sensitive poem, Walt. Thank you!
Great thought