Wisdom in February

The Emperor's New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen

(as retold by Rose Flores)

There was once, a conceited emperor in a far land. He was so vain and proud that all he desired was admiration.

Scoundrels learned of the emperor's weakness and plotted an evil plan to make money. They offered to weave clothes of the finest quality for him.

With spools of golden thread, silk and jewel adornment, the palace supplied the weavers the most expensive materials. So the scoundrels pretended they were real weavers. They made and sewed many clothes and a special one for the grand celebration. They pretended they were working hard and weaving the clothes, when there was nothing. Their arms and hands swung in the air.

Each officer in the palace wondered how the clothes would look, but they were fretful to ask. They thought others would find them stupid, in their position not to distinguish the elegantly crafted clothes, that in truth, was nothing at all.

Everyone talked about the stylish clothes.

Sooner, the king wanted to see them.

"Can you see dear Emperor, your exquisite clothes with glowing colors?" One of the scoundrels asked.

"Oh yes, the colors are majestic as rainbows! What can you say, officer?"

"It's elegantly woven!"

"Dainty like a spider's web," said the other scoundrel.

Later, it was time for the parade. They all motioned, like they were dressing up the emperor. The emperor approved the imaginary clothes put on him.

During the parade, the emperor held his head high in vanity. In his false belief, the emperor thought he wore the best clothes.

The crowd silently watched, until a child yelled: He's naked, he's naked! The emperor hasn't got anything on!

Then the crowd noticed and shouted the same.

The emperor was embarrassed, but then, he went boldly and held his head higher. He continued to march. His officers continued holding the robe, that wasn't there at all.

On Wisdom:

Thought: Don't be so easily flattered. Being wise does not depend on flattery. Wisdom seeks humility, truth and joy. It pleases God.

Proverbs chapter 9:10 asserts:

For the reverence and fear of God are basic to all wisdom. Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding.

Thought: Love and reverence for God are the keys to light and happiness. Wisdom is God's gift to his people.

/rose flores martinez

iwrotefiction

in february 2012

Poems: Some Poetry Thoughts

Poems give light to pleasure in words. I don't know what poets like it for, but as I practice my poetry every word comes alive, while I diffuse myself to that which lay before me.

From a burnt wood, from the slivers of time, from the gusty wind of waves,
how from heart unto heart life could feel and see, believe the hum of seasons,
touch the blossom of sun, face the whip of tide, thou receive the mercy of Allah.

Thought:

In poems the hands are filled with abounding grace
In those times they're denied the sweetness of flesh
The hands and grip are never releasing
Until something blooms from stars, the clouds drop rain
And refresh seeds for a harvest.

Check these beautiful poem lines from Master Poets. Each one can give a thought by expressing a feeling on the poem. It is not exactly to summarize it, but explicate the images that create sensations. Moreover, critics relate the poems to other significant literary texts. Express your thoughts!

T.S. Eliot: The Love Song of J.Alfred Prufrock (1909-1935)
"I grow old... I grow old
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled."

Thought:
A glimpse of aging as told by Eliot. Can you imagine how an old man rolls his trousers?

Carl Sanburg: The Ghost of Milton
"One of the triumphs of the poem is that is takes a literary figure and makes him not a remote writer in history, but a living and vigorous man." Paul Engle

"I would sit by fire and dream of hell and heaven,
Idiots and kings, women my eyes could never look on again,
And God Himself and the rebels God threw into hell."

Thought:
Milton was always in protest. Sandburg shows sympathy for Milton, and empathy to Milton's blindness.

According to Paul Engle, the last line of all "And God Himself and the rebels God threw into hell," is the strongest line of all.

D.H. Lawrence: The Snake
"Someone was before me at my water-trough,
And I, like a second comer, waiting."

Thought:
The poet brings us an exact, vivid and true picture where snakes love to dwell. Humans need not attack, but just wait and see, as the lines express in "a second comer and waiting."
Man, as D. H. Lawrence (most afraid) is also honored by a snake accepting a kind of hospitality from us, letting the animal be first in the line. The snake, crawling holes, troughs, as in "dark doors" whence the snake comes from, from all of creations that part, of our secret earth.

True enough, a poem is from God's sup, dropped down our tongues, a sweet taste of bliss.

Rose Flores Martinez
PoemHunter.com
Iwrotefiction

Thoughts: The Adding Machine

August 19, 2010


Thoughts

1.

Have You Ever Thought How Garbage Boys Survive?


The garbage truck was in front of the cab I was on a few days ago.

The traffic gave me a picture of how garbage collectors work on their assigned task to serve us.

I thought they were on to penance because the work they do is literally “dirty.”

Of course, as compared to the hospital/medical staff who treat infections and diseases; dirt and stinking barrels of dirt are loathsome.

What do you think, how do their kids hug them? Have you ever worried for them? They have to be given protection against all the dirt of the world. These good workers deserve to be thanked for

In other countries, garbage collectors are paid well. How about in the Philippines…. (private or government garbage employees) how are they treated?

In my case, I think dirt ---- attracts diseases like stomach disorders, allergy, and lung problems, among others. Take for example the killer flu virus, and those objects that are habitat of germs (fomites)?

Doctors recommend washing thoroughly with soap and water.

2.

I have thought about Elmer Rice play “The Adding Machine.” An alienation exemplified by Zero who worked as bookkeeper in a department store. His work has dried up his humanity making him incapable of love, friendships and other emotions.








3.


What is a thought?


Thinking signifies everything that you say is “in our heads” or that “goes through our minds.”


It is a matter not directly perceived and could always change. Oftentimes you would say, “I just thought of it.”

Thoughts can be important as the award in kindergarten like the “Most Thoughtful Student.” And sometimes, not important as “Never mind, it doesn’t matter.” How the brain works is a gift and a tool of making thoughts/ideas concrete. Thinking is powerful when you work at it (small miracles), and can be destructive with malice like the curse of a witch. Good thoughts are necessary for success but tragic as a downfall of a wicked endeavor (karma). The earth will ask payment with interest pulling every pound of wickedness, including sacrificial lambs.

Positive, clean, and helpful thoughts will triumph in the end; in the promise of God.

Good thoughts and wishes are considered to be an offering to God, and can be acts of prayer transforming all wrath to peace and love. Nothing and no one can contest God.

I usually ponder on this from the Holy Bible, and get power from God’s promises in the hope that Jesus Christ is always near.

“Give me a clean heart O God.”

“God’s thoughts are as high as the heaven, and man or any other creature cannot know about it. But all things work out together for good for those who love God and obey His commandments.”

“I am thinking of you.

I am thinking of God.

What comes to me now is the work I do.

My wish is to create something beautiful.

My words are my presents for you.” RoseVoc2


IWroteFiction, 2010