Sometimes when living large we meet a squall
Or turbulence perturbs our arrowed aim,
Quite commonly some barrier forestalls
Or vague hint that our path might end in pain.
At other times approaching zenith nigh
The altitude has queer effect on sight,
We squint to see if we have gone awry
And then we find a stop-sign glaring bright.
Instead of hedonistic fame and power
A better gauge to measure life’s success,
Would calculate time used to smell a flower
And calibrate health, love and happiness.
A barrier can serve us to remind
We’ve left the purpose of our course behind.
Fugitive Fragments 
Reblogged this on Tales of Unwise Paths.
Me again. May I reblog?
Pray proceed! With my thanks for the additional dissemination 🙂
Cheers, mate!
Yes you’re right: sometimes when we live large we come up with small, and it’s open our eyes. Your beat was like a clockwork of old pocket turnip. I can see you listening to it and fitting the words with the peaceful ticking. The work is not wasted. Take care
Your comment is poetry in itself YR and also music to my ears. I feel pride and gratitude – thank you very, very much.
Wonderful sonnet and true words, Mike! Love it!
I have been trying to write a sonnet for months and it just wouldn’t work. They’re challenging, in my opinion. However, I recently published my first sonnet a few days ago that came out a bit humorously rather than romantically or seriously. At any rate, I think I have a better understanding of the rules and will try again! Yep, more practicing…yours is a great example for students like me. 🙂
Many thanks Lauren, I occasionally enjoy the challenge of this form and it’s so nice to have my efforts provoke such response.
I’ve just read your sonnet – well done, but you have used more than one style and while I might be somewhat purist, best stick to one. I started with the easiest, the so-called Shakespearean Sonnet for it’s straightforward metrical scheme. Check this out http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1316714-How-to-Write-a-Shakespearean-Sonnet
Thanks for the tips, Mike! 🙂
Very true.
Otherwise as that old song says, “We’re going to find our way to heaven is a rough and rocky road if we don’t stop and smell the roses along the way.”
Something to contemplate.
Planting rose bushes at the bottom of stop signs.
You have a fine singing voice DVH – I bet you’ve played Dr. Frank-N-Furter. And your final solution is too logical for a poet to consider.
Stop usually means stop but I think it means proceed with caution! Learned this one the hard way! Now I stop!
Experience is indeed the best schooling MM – thank you for your interpretation and comment.
Fantastic insight Mike. So true. Love the sonnet.
Hey thanks Chrissy 🙂
Deep and true 🙂 nice vision. 🙂
A rewarding evaluation – many thanks IZ 🙂
Wonderful, thought provoking poem!
Kind of you to let me know – thanks Tiny.
Very true and greatly described Mike. A deep and thought provoking poem.
Lots of love
So glad you enjoyed Patty and thanks for carving your opinion on virtual cyberstone.
Well said! Living large might be exciting, but living small is the only way to really get to grips with what counts.
I knew that I’d be preaching to the converted with you Jane – thank you.
Beautiful wisdom! So very true.
Thanks RT – true indeed, guru types swear by it.
Most beautifully said especially when we need reminding so often. I should hang this in my home, Mike.
What a lovely thing to say! Made my day Jackie, much thanks.
Powerful insight put into elegant verse. Thank you for sharing your gift!
…and I thank you avian one for your appraisal and kind words.
Spot on, dear fellow. 😉
You are a kindred spirit Keely 😀
Namaste 🙂
Thank you GC 😀
Gorgeous words!
I could say the same from this end Caroline and thank you for such a delightfully positive comment.
Amazing, and can I say how much I love that you rhymed nigh and awry?
Your poem is a good life template 🙂
What a lovely comment! Thank you N, for your reading, interpretation and response.
Thank you for the wonderful poem 🙂
right on Mike…
I note that we are like-minded people K – thanks for this affirmation.
Fantastic! A really nice poem with such great depth, thoroughly enjoyed this.
Delighted that you thought so K – thank you for this feedback.