Analysis of Sober Sensibility
Karl Constantine FOLKES 1935 (Portland)
A CONFESSION:
As we approach the close of our earthly lives, a modicum of wisdom can be obtained when we come to the realization of an ironic and sober sensibility, when we come to the recognition that our earthly achievements, accomplishments, and successes— and even our failures, our disappointments, and shortcomings — all of these things — are, in the final analysis, more about the journey, than the destination.
As we come to the close of our earthly lives, as we are guided by discernment, and through the discipline of obedience, are led by the spirit, we can only come to the conclusion that no outer journey, except that of the inward journey, leads the physical self to engage in sustained meaningful conversation and dialoguing with the metaphysical or Spiritual Self — that no other pathway of engagement — can heal our broken selves and return us to wholeness; can remove us from our sorrowful divided selves and lead us to the divine fulfillment we seek; the ultimate objective of life that is teleologically designed; and which we, as a humanity, instinctively desire: our individuation; the return to our divine right: the unity of oneness and completion.
| Scheme | AA A |
|---|---|
| Poetic Form | |
| Metre | 0010 110101110101010011011011111010101101001001001111001011010010010000100101010100010010111110010010010101010010 11110111010111110101001010010100111010111011001011101001110101010100110100110001001100100110001111011010111010100111101011110100010101110010101101000101111101011100100010001010100111001101001100010 |
| Characters | 1,190 |
| Words | 200 |
| Sentences | 2 |
| Stanzas | 2 |
| Stanza Lengths | 2, 1 |
| Lines Amount | 3 |
| Letters per line (avg) | 315 |
| Words per line (avg) | 67 |
| Letters per stanza (avg) | 473 |
| Words per stanza (avg) | 101 |
About this poem
This poem was written in April 2010 when I was in the retirement phase of my public service as an educator and approaching 75 years of age. I had attained the highest academic degree as an educator, and was considered as well-schooled and learned, way beyond the knowledge of sophomoric wisdom. Yet I found myself wanting in so many fields of discipline. It is claimed that the biblical King Solomon, acclaimed for his earthly wisdom, and in the golden years of his life, attributively composed the Wisdom Book of Ecclesiastes, which serves as a meditation on the journey of life, (often wrought with futility), and its purpose for each individual, arguing in the opening lines of Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 1:2), the following observation: הבל הבלים הכל הבל (“hebel hebalim hakol hebel”). Translated from Biblical Hebrew into modern English the line reads: “vanity of vanities all [is] vanity.” The last verse of the Book of Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 12:13) ends with this sobering message: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” This poem invites us to individually reflect on the purpose of life for each of us, particularly as we approach the close of our earthly lives. How centered are we on those things that really ought to matter? What are our priorities? Who and what do we put foremost in our lives? Is life for us chimerical, pure vanity, vanity of vanities? Each of us, gifted with free will, and with moral and ethical responsibilities, must find that answer for himself or herself. more »
Written on April 10, 2010
Submitted by karlcfolkes on June 24, 2022
Modified by karlcfolkes on September 22, 2022
- 1:00 min read
- 803 Views
59 fans
Citation
Use the citation below to add this poem analysis to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Sober Sensibility" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 5 Jun 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/130605/sober-sensibility>.
Discuss this Karl Constantine FOLKES poem analysis with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In