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| Photo from Unsplash by Jeremy Thomas |
The Three Goals
by David Budbill
The first goal is to see the thing in itself
in and for itself, to see it simply and clearly
for what it is.
No symbolism, please.
The second goal is to see each individual thing
as unified, as one, with all the other
ten thousand things.
In this regard, a little wine helps a lot.
The third goal is to grasp the first and the second goals,
to see the universal in the particular,
simultaneously.
Regarding this one, call me when you get it.
Violet has the Poetry Friday roundup at Violet Nesdoly | Poems.
That's really lovely. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFor me, as with all philosophical discussions, "a little wine helps a lot." I enjoyed this very much, Mary Lee!
ReplyDeleteI"m afraid I only glimpse "the universal in the particular" with symbolism and friendship but a little wine doesn't hurt either.
ReplyDeleteAh, the thing, and the whole of the thing, and nothing but the thing, naturally. -- There's not enough wine in the universe, I'm afraid... ah, well. I do like how the poet breaks understanding life down into, um, workable steps, anyway...
ReplyDeleteHa! Very zen. Love the photo you chose to go with it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great poem. Budbill is new to me, and I can see I need to read more of his work. You're the second person to share a Budbill poem this week. It must be a sign. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this poem! I do think a little wine might help with those second and third goals. May we keep trying to see clearly the universal and the particular.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Diane on this one! Cheers! :)
ReplyDeleteWould this be life, condensed in three stanzas? Then again, I may need new glasses (along with a little wine).
ReplyDeleteMary Lee, philosophical viewpoint and humor all rolled into one. Love it!
ReplyDeleteAfter thinking through this, with a little wine, I am reminded of all the times past and conversations trying hard to "get it." Perhaps if we had recorded? Thanks Mary Lee, works on many levels.
ReplyDeleteHa, ha and ha once again! Perhaps I'm so exhausted lately from trying to reach all three goals simultaneously with insufficient wine. Must correct...
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the last line of this poem. He lays everything out so matter-of-factly and then subverts all of that logic. Understanding is something that we must continually reach for and never quite attain.
ReplyDeleteThat's the second time I've seen this poem recently--it sure strikes a nice chord!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great poem!
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely and something to ponder. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWell I think if he's introducing wine to the sphere than all is open for interpretation, including symbolism. Thanks for this provocative poem, and– perfect celestial image Mary Lee!
ReplyDeleteSo many goals, so little time...
ReplyDelete