a case has been made for the need to read the 'Grapes of Wrath'
submitted on moral ethical racial religious civil rights grounds
when reading exceptional novel 'Grapes of Wrath' what lessons
does author John Steinbeck teach us about suffering humanity...
Steinbeck challenges perceptions defines how people react
interact when lacking privilege position wealth education
resources issues of silver spoon plastic spoon cultural capital
to define qualities of character to define a life worth living test...
Steinbeck employs an eye sharp which cuts to the heart
sympathetic humor marries insight social perception;
questions relating to who we are aspire to who lives
with truth nobility honour integrity and who lives with
anger hate rage pain; during difficult circumstances;
testing times directly effects impact we have on others;
choices are made will we enrich the world even
in small simple caring ways or make excuses
choose indifference or cruel exploitation to achieve;
material dreams; wealth social positions at the cost
of our own sacred integrity humility and humanity;
the 'Grapes of Wrath' deals with emotive insights;
into character choices which define real values
held by real people choices we make with people
we meet interact with will sow habits character;
sometimes map the future destiny of our lives
the 'Grapes of Wrath' could be defined not just;
as an awesome troublesome read but as lessons;
in how to be a better human being caring giving;
some of us lived parts of our lives like characters
chapters in novel pages; we never wrote our story
but we decided how to live our lives empowered;
even in powerless moments; with the convictions
of our choices; determination not to hurt in hatred;
strangely honesty has win lose situations compelling;
living intensely testing moments taking bull by horns
not escaping into alcohol drugs gambling shopaholic
material escapism dependencies teaches repeatedly;
in long lessons of life; honesty makes a better bed fellow
realizing living; through testing times is an impossibility;
without hope faith sincere friends luck prayer life supports;
society is again in the early hours just past midnight
remember a few artists friends who passed within
the last few years time is ticking for us our encore;
perhaps is not yet written; realization came there is
too much; we never took time or had no time to say;
we need a reminder pick up our load get back on road;
Terence George Craddock (Afterglows Echoes Of Starlight)
Copyright © Terence George Craddock
Terence, it takes a compassionate soul to write the kind of poetry that's coming from you. I have nothing but admiration and respect for human beings and poets/poetesses of your ilk.
This is praise difficult to live up too, but we live in an age and time of difficult issues, sometimes we need to write upon topics unpleasant, that need addressing; in a heartfelt way to do the seriousness of the topics justice.
Eric Cockrell writes "Compassion is one true path". I can not agree more, dear poet.
Eric Cockrell inspires many poets and many lives with his belief in people and a more beautiful world, I stop almost daily to read a few things Eric has written over my day his night.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
2) I have not read any works by Eric Cockrell, but thanks to this insightful and inspiring tribute, I look forward to those readings. Outstanding work, Terence!
Eric Cockrell was one of those poet gems who enriched this site when active here back in 2011 and 2012. We shared poetic goals and ideals of peace and freedom.