Rate:5.0 / 6 votes

True Genius

Susan Mayer Brumel

Rhymed
True Genius

True genius
lies with those
whose brain smarts
are inspired by
their loving hearts.

About this poem

Genius may lie in one’s brain’s ability to function at a much higher level than most. But true genius exists only when one’s loving heart provides the oxygen needed for their brain to function.

Font size:
Collection       
 

Written on March 06, 2025

Submitted by susan.brumel on March 06, 2025

6 sec read
152

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCDC
Closest metre Iambic dimeter
Characters 100
Words 21
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 5
Full analysis for True Genius »

Susan Mayer Brumel

A few years ago, I retired from a thirty-five year career in hospice counseling, at which time I began writing poetry. My poems are influenced by my patients’ journeys, the compelling beauty of nature, and the human condition. A lover of all animals and most people, I enjoy spending time in nature, long walks, and reading Pablo Neruda, Blake, William Carlos Williams, James Joyce, Mary Oliver, Emily Dickinson, Maya Angelou, Leonard Cohen, and more. Baudelaire tells us to ‘be drunk’ on something every day; I am drunk on poetry and intend never to be sober! more…

All Susan Mayer Brumel poems | Susan Mayer Brumel Books

46 fans

Discuss the poem True Genius with the community...

10 Comments
  • ThembieAngieeMt
    ThembieAngieeMt
    Such a beautiful reminder that intellect is only part of the equation. True genius, as you so wisely put it, shines brightest when it’s fueled by love. The connection between heart and mind is what makes greatness. 
    LikeReply 11 day ago
  • philmaund
    philmaund
    Sometimes you don't need many words to say something powerfully...
    LikeReply 18 days ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      It’s so much fun when that happens! Thanks, Phil.
      LikeReply 16 days ago
  • yelskwah
    yelskwah
    "True Genius" is a beautifully concise and insightful poem that captures a profound truth about the nature of accurate intelligence. You've distilled a complex idea into a simple, elegant form, demonstrating a mastery of brevity and a keen understanding of the relationship between intellect and empathy. 
    LikeReply 19 days ago
  • npirandy
    npirandy
    Nothing can replace or emulate a loving heart. This is something ALWAYS on display in your work and your treatment of everyone you encounter.
    LikeReply 112 days ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      Such sweet words to wake up to this morning, Randy. Thank you for the smile.
      You, my dear friend, have a heart of gold. It’s always so good to ‘see’ you here.
      LikeReply12 days ago
  • karlcfolkes
    karlcfolkes
    This poem echoes the heartfelt cry for love and affection of the Wizard of Oz: “If I Only Had a Heart!” Thank you, Susan, for sharing this very thoughtful piece.
    LikeReply 113 days ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      Sweet comment, Karl. Thank you for reading it. :-)
      LikeReply13 days ago
  • LawrenceByrne
    LawrenceByrne
    Beautiful in its brevity and truer words never spoken. There's genius in simplicity. Thank you for this!
    LikeReply 113 days ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      Thsnks so much for reading and for your kind words.
      LikeReply13 days ago
  • Akinpet23
    Akinpet23
    Short but has a powerful message.
    Such a good art .
    Keep impacting.
    LikeReply13 days ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      Thanks so much for the kind words.
      LikeReply13 days ago
  • Anzmills
    Anzmills
    Very beautiful. I love it
    LikeReply 113 days ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      Thsnk you very much. Happy you enjoyed it. :-)
      LikeReply13 days ago
  • rameshs.88917
    rameshs.88917
    Wow tremendous lines penned down in metaphorically interpretation and compelled to read between the lines for the vast meaning. Genius is one who possesses own creative, academic calibre, talent, innate ability to expose before others to obtain superiority. A beautiful comparison and contrast is found between brain and heart, yea loving heart plays vital role to encourage one's brain to culture more and more to be become true genius. On the other hand True genius may stand for the Creator, the God as the poetess mentioned Ultimate Controller of the world who can only see supply oxygen to human beings for surviving. But as genius is written in small letter,it is to ambiguous to find out the real personified thing. Yea really we are just puppets at the hands of Almighty and without His mercy and blessings our existence is not possible. He is the biggest omniscient possessing super power, wisdom and geniusness.
    Afterall true geniusness lies in thine marvelous creativity in one Stanza poem replete with vast information and knowledgeable. Congratulations Ma'am. 
    LikeReply 113 days ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      Thank you, Ramesh. If you read Symmetry’s comment below, you’ll find it similar to yours. :-)
      LikeReply13 days ago
  • Symmetry60
    Symmetry60
    Genius is corresponding chakras that are on a frequential echelon of soul that correlates to a specific aspect of the creator. Religion aside, we can no more possess any aspect of awareness than is available to us through the consciousness of our creator. The only true genius is God himself. We are simply a singular sum in the totality of God's ubiquitousness, omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence. God is pure wisdom. We are merely cogs to the realization of God in the flesh. Smart poetry that forces one to think. Mission accomplished. ;-) 
    LikeReply 113 days ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      You are a force to be reckoned with, my genius friend. :^p
      LikeReply13 days ago
    • Symmetry60
      Symmetry60
      That was just my irritable bowel looking to channel.
      LikeReply13 days ago
    • susan.brumel
      susan.brumel
      I hope my poem helped it access the proper channels.
      LikeReply13 days ago

Translation

Find a translation for this poem in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Citation

Use the citation below to add this poem to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"True Genius" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 20 Mar. 2025. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/215123/true-genius>.

Powered by CITE.ME Cite.Me

Become a member!

Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

More poems by

Susan Mayer Brumel

»

March 2025

Poetry Contest

Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
11
days
19
hours
36
minutes
84 entries submitted — 66 remaining

Special Program

Earn Rewards!

Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

Our awesome collection of

Promoted Poems

»

Browse Poetry.com

#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 

Quiz

Are you a poetry master?

»
Sestina is made up of how many lines?
A 6
B 39
C 28
D 36