first and foremost
remember
success is no sin
but is failure refused
and refused and refused
until eggs of fear crack
pouring forth with
their stillborn yolks
dead to the purpose
of stubborn persistence
who strikes up a
timely acquaintance
with luck and walks
patient laid steps upon
well-chosen lanes
up and back the chicanes
of a maze that deters
all less resolute hearts
from its prize
…success is no sin, but is failure refused! Not a bad rule of thumb for life
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a message for my grandchildren
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Reblogged this on sizwemax.
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thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
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Very Calvinist for a staunch Roman Catholic . . . One of the five tenets: ‘The saints shall persevere’ . . . by that I guess he meant ‘succeed’ . . .
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It’s also known as the preservation of the saints, so not quite succeed as such, but be held in Christ’s righteousness by Him.
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Peter – I’m certainly no expert on Calvin, but I would have thought he was in the “pursuit of material success is sinful” camp
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He was indeed. His life story is particularly interesting
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Once again, you’ve put a lesson into a poem that reads beautifully. Thank you
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sincerely appreciate that
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pouring forth with their stillborn yolks, amazing line, Paul. Great poem, my friend.
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much appreciated, syl
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You’re welcome, Paul
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Marvelous poem–I had trouble with the intro till I read the comments; definitely like it.
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PS–when you get a sec, check your email again.
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I see your new blog and will check it out
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Thanks.
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I’m pleased it didn’t turn you off
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Oh no.
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Perseverance is a powerful faith-word.
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something many have yet to learn
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Well, I’m still practicing, so I guess I haven’t completed the course.
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I appreciate your wisdom as well as your talent. Thanks for this.
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you are very kind
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‘…up and back the chicanes of a maze…’ how perfectly representative of life, Paul. Word choice to savour and see.
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much appreciated, Anne-Marie
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Reblogged this on Poesy plus Polemics.
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