A Fresh Take: A Proverbial Feast of Critique
Is it another instance of humor or mockery?
From the Belly, Ethics BloomPeople are appalled when someone strays off trail,Yearning to swiftly categorize and condemn.But oftentimes, they fail to recognize the root cast,Lacking the basics – a home, dignified attire, and sustenance.
They demand moderation, tolerance, and decorum,Else they scoff, leaving the oddball behind.But remember this mantra,Belly full first, then virtue shines bright!
Of Thinkers, Dreamers, and PioneersIn this realm of artists and thinkers,Let me jest, poking fun at the grave.Once upon a time, visionaries thought deeply,Traversing the fires of persecution, starvation, war,Facing unfair hatred and scorn.If today's minds perceive alternate truths,Don't jump to conclusions, give them a chance,For ideas prove themselves only when they're voiced.Consider both the who and what of thoughts,And hold on to the Shabbat memory.
Happiness on the menuIn the comfort of home, where fine dinners grace the table,Cats laze by the oven, uncaringly idle.But what of those who hunger and freeze,Enduring the horrors of conflict, displacement, and violence?Little ones, the future's hope,Faces clouded by despair, accusations fly like darts,Find me, they implore,Where are you, when I need you most?
The Dance of CommerceThe famous tarantella of the West spins,A dance to chase away ennui,To buy happiness, work to buy some more,Vacations to work and work it all away.In the self-absorbed zone, media guides our thoughts,Anointing the chosen and damning the rest.War, it seems, keeps boredom at bay,A fleeting distraction, barely but quickly forgotten.Overspending never seems enough,But Aristotle once said,"How much do we really need?"I too argue, consume less, it's a revolution!
The Capitalistic PrayerI recently attempted to live by societal norms,Working and consuming as everyone else does.I even uttered the prayer of capitalism,Praying for great wealth and prosperity.I found myself among the religious folk,Bound by love and cooperation.But I, a flawed creature, questioned their motives,Persecuted for my skepticism and cynicism.I was advised to play the game,To wear a friendly mask,And never question the status quo.For, in familiar and guarded spaces,Everyone does as they please,And some secrets are better kept hidden.
The Dance of FaithSocrates and Jesus spoke of sacrifice,Submission and obedience.But has the result been true liberation?Or have they been merely used by the Church and StateTo wield power and control?Perhaps the saints and prophetsCan't untangle this web of deceit.
Modern Art, or a Lack ThereofA line, a dot, a square – these modern creations,Adored by so many, leave me bewildered.They speak of profoundness, beauty, and genius,But they fail to provide meaning, purpose, or answers.I, ignorant as I am, questioned their worth,and got dismissed as foolish.I painted my thoughts privately,In an attempt to find solace and expression.
The Dance of the SelfHow does the ego fare in this world full of illusion,Will it decay and crumble to insignificance?The ego becomes real through connecting with you,Via your absolution and your power.We exist in harmony, as a universal echo,Each part of the cosmos, each soul bound and free.And yet, the dance sometimes feels chaotic,And sometimes, it shines like a brilliant, cosmic child.
In the midst of artists and thinkers, let me jest by suggesting that books can offer a form of entertainment, serving as a fuel for the mind.
On the other hand, for those who lack basic necessities, the most essential form of entertainment could be the promise of a full belly and a sense of security, freeing their minds to ponder and dream.
