I Eat Poetry

Simple Fishermen

I am sitting in a beautiful, shady
place on the river bank.
It is four o'clock, a hot afternoon.
I have been attending a
director's meeting.
What pros and cons, sharp
words, ins and outs, ups and
downs of the financial world!
I am worn out. I have come
here to forget and to rest.
Ah, to live here by the river
and be a simple fisherman,
Like the men I see below me
near the shore drawing up
their nets!
How peaceful the river
and the fishermen!

One of the nets seems to be
caught in the river.
They can not draw it up.
Several are trying.
Such swearing!
Such placing of blame back
and forth!
It looks as if there might be a fight.
I will go back to the
director's room.
The directors are gone by now.
Perhaps I can rest there
awhile, before I go home for
the night.
Fishermen and bank directors -
life everywhere is the same.

~Max Ehrmann

Leonard Nimoy passed away today, a month before his 84th birthday. In 1968 he made an album, The Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy, on which he read this poem, titled as 'Spock Thoughts'. An embedded Youtube video of it is under the cut. 'Rest In Peace'.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

By Max Ehrmann

( Spock Thoughts )