The Mastery of Lentils: A Poem of Self-Reliance
Mawphniang Napoleon 1993 (Ri Bhoi)
In ancient realms of kings and queens,
Where power was the only means,
The people lived in servitude and fear,
Bowing to their rulers, year by year.
But in this land, there lived a valiant few,
Who dared to dream of something more, something new;
They knew that true strength lay not in gold or throne,
But in the mastery of simple things unknown.
And so, with due diligence and propriety,
They learned the art of lentil-eating, and set free
Their minds and souls from shackles of subservience,
Ascending to a state of true self-reliance.
For in the act of partaking thus,
They showed their strength, their will, their very soul;
A symbol of their courage, honor, and trust,
A sign that they were whole.
And thus, with lentils in hand, they stood tall,
Defying kings and rulers, one and all;
For in this simple act, true strength resides,
And with it, the power to claim their rightful prize.
So let us all partake in lentils with pride,
For in this simple act, true strength resides,
And with it, the power to rise and strive,
To be free, and to claim our rightful lives.
About this poem
This sonnet is inspired by the story of Diogenes, a Greek philosopher known for his ascetic and simple lifestyle. The line "They knew that true strength lay not in gold or throne, but in the mastery of simple things unknown" alludes to Diogenes' philosophy that true strength and power lie in self-sufficiency and contentment with simple things in life. The reference to lentils is a nod to the story of Diogenes eating lentils in front of a king, demonstrating his rejection of material wealth and his ability to be content with a simple meal, instead of bowing down to the king's power and wealth. The poem ultimately conveys the message that true freedom and power come from being content with one's own life and not compromising one's own beliefs for the sake of material wealth or societal status. more »
Written on January 14, 2023
Submitted by Mawphniang.Napoleon on January 13, 2023
Modified on March 20, 2023
- 1:06 min read
- 5 Views
Quick analysis:
| Scheme | aabb ccdd eeff xgxg hhIx xIxx |
|---|---|
| Closest metre | Iambic pentameter |
| Characters | 1,077 |
| Words | 221 |
| Stanzas | 6 |
| Stanza Lengths | 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4 |
3 fans
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"The Mastery of Lentils: A Poem of Self-Reliance" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/148634/the-mastery-of-lentils:-a-poem-of-self-reliance>.
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