Look Through A Wider Lens Poem by Amrit Rathi

Look Through A Wider Lens

Rating: 4.8


A slight adversity like a storm,
one small problem like thunder,
terribly shakes us and makes us wonder:
what could I do? How can I cope
with enormous pain,
and the dwindling hope?

The more I feel the worse my pain,
the problems look much more, bigger
than they really are perhaps,
and bouts of panic they eventually trigger.

One friend told me, “There is a way.
At the world, look through a wider lens,
and I bet you won't ever be tense.”
And he told me a story that
makes a whole lot of sense.

One student,
restless and quite disturbed,
approached his teacher, who said,
“Put a tablespoon of salt
in a glass of water and drink.
Is it salty? ” the teacher blinked.
Replied the student, “Yes, I think! ”

“Now pour the same quantity
of salt into the water,
bubbling from that spring
through the ground in the front,
and drink it and tell me how it tastes”
asked the teacher.
”No taste! ” was the student’s reply.
“Ah, the problem is not the salt,
but the container, ” said the teacher,
“So make it bigger.”

How aloof and self-absorbed
you often feel with your problems
in your utter dismay entirely sealed?
Just look at the world and sufferings
before your eyes with a kind heart;
your own problems will look so meager.
Your body chemistry, your life will start
to change, and you will learn
to live with your problems.

If you feel down, just step outside yourself
and in turn devote a few hours to help
every day a person or an animal:
you will know its immediate effect-this is a fact.

So look through a wider lens,
and you will create incredible resilience.


@Copyright reserved by the author

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Hans Vr 08 June 2010

That is indeed a great one. I like the story of the salt in the glass and the salt in the river very much. The problem is the container. How true, open up, use a bigger lens. I am sure many of the readers will find this one extremely useful. I think it has the power to be a life changing poem, very melodiously written.. Thanks a lot Amrit.

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Noel Horlanda 13 June 2010

You're really a very good writer, you chose words that fits the theme, very properly used. Oh, I like the salt, glass and river. It turns out the problem was in the container. The line gave me a little creased in my face. A big applause for this.

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What a meaningful write! We need to broaden our perspective, and meet someone elses need. Have a more outward approach. Well penned, Well done!

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Merna Ibrahim 16 June 2010

Yes, this is totally meaningful and wise poem! ! I can see wisdom and hope through your lines...You know, i have mentioned this sentence'look through a wider lens' in my latest poem.read it and dropp your valuable comment. Great Work! :)

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The Lost.. 17 June 2010

a wonderful meanigful poem i liked it.. thanks.

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Chitra - 24 June 2010

well-composed... definitely instills in the readers a new perspective....add a wider dimension...to the scheme of things! !

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Darrin Mcmiller Jr. 19 June 2010

Those who have read and took this message to heart will not only look through a wider lens, but they will first remove their blinders. Great poem, great message.

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Christopher Ebenezer 19 June 2010

You are a great poet. Keep it up.I suppose experience has thought you to look through a wider lens.

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Margo Dove 18 June 2010

Wider lens but also not on ourselves constantly. If we treat ourselves as gods than any problem, minor or major, will appear as unbearable. The key is to redirect such lens (like you suggested in your poem) on someone else maybe in need. By nature, we are selfish and we need to become more altruistic. Good work! !

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Marieta Maglas 18 June 2010

Your profound knowledge always amazes and delights me. Excellent poem

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