An experiment in creativity
Is it folly to hope?
Is it strange to want more?
From life’s forbidding slopes
To the tender breeze on the shore.
Is it weird that we dream?
That we are born wanting more?
If hope is a folly,
I don’t want to know why for.
I plan to keep hoping
That all storms can one day cease.
That good will be rewarded
That all people will be free
A thirty-something from PA. Lives with his father and pet cat (Captain Admiral President Ninja Master Snuggy). Works part-time as a grocery clerk with the standard greater aspirations of not being a grocery clerk. Writes short stories and poetry when time permits. Other interests include reading, playing video games and revolution. View more posts
Studio CreatiV: The Writings and poetry of Dustin Plank
However, I disagree with your assessment of people with SNAP benefits. Most are providing for their children. Your attitude is very elitist imo
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The ancient Norse had a term called “Gulvieg” which roughly translates to “love of gold” but more accurately translates to love of possession of wealth. In the Eddas, it is clearly stated that “Gulvieg” was the true downfall of the gods, not some prophetic final battle. The Buddhists say that all life is suffering and that the cause of all suffering is desire, the Stoics also agree with this, that desire of possession is what leads to suffering. To desire nothing, to want nothing, this is the key to enlightenment. To want more rather than to seek equilibrium and harmony, this is what leads to suffering in the 21st century. When I worked as a cashier at Walmart, I saw the very clear and distinct difference between people who “wanted more” and the people who just wanted to live in peace and be ok . People who wanted more used their SNAP card to buy garbage processed food and used their government stipend to buy energy drinks and Hostess snake cakes and other poor people who wanted to provide a better life for their kids bought things like dried beans, rice, and staple foods. Guess which ones had multiple tattoos and used the electric scooters and which ones wore plain unremarkable clothes and walked on their own two feet? Wanting not to be in debt up to your eyeballs just to get by is one thing, wanting to be able get by while supplying numerous vices is another. True freedom comes with massive price tags, like sacrifice, which most people will not do. They will not sacrifice energy drinks to pay off their credit card debt, they will not sacrifice their creature comforts so that two to three generations later people will have it better, they will not sacrifice their own well being to help others, and they definitely will not sacrifice their love of possession of items just so that 10 other people don’t have to starve. The Stoics had a saying “The past is dead, the good lived yesterday”. Look forward, when one looks at their feet for direction you cannot see where you are truly going. Desire nothing, seek better terms for all, and be at peace for at least you know you sought to make things better for everyone rather than just yourself. Death can only take you once.
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Thanks for the comment!!
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