These Are My JOTtings...

Progressive Relativity Theorized

The Theory of Relativity is quite plain.
Everybody has at least one,
and most of us have many.
Of course, that can be a relative conundrum,
if you've moved to another state
or to the Australian Outback
to live with Crocodile Dundee.

But I digress.
Progressive thinking,
here I come!

I was a babe in bassinet
a-flopping back and forth.
It must be true, though I forget
most days in that wood fort.

But then I scooted on the rug
when plopped there by my mom,
'til back in crib was newly snug.
Smug progress with aplomb.

"Just hold my finger, Little One."
I'm walking 'cross the floor.
He clapped his hands. I walked for fun,
'til progress was no more.

The crying child was me, of course.
Each face-plow was not bliss.
For bottom bounce, I sought recourse,
'til I'd be done with this.

Yet, through my life, I've learned things new.
The process nearly same.
I start most well as many do,
then fail, my skills to blame.

But fall we do, while learning new.
Our skills are not at fault.
Experience is daily through
the ups and downs and halts.

No failure doth a failure make
as stalwart soul moves on.
For failing forward pride will break
and firm the ground anon.

The flattest land with windless days
makes ease of walking joy,
but climbing mountains bring displays
of muscles ripped employ.

The progress of our greatest hours,
all known by loss and gain,
may start when things turn greatly sour,
enjoyed beyond the rain.

All progress known by growing soul
bequeaths its daily steps.
The up and down and up makes whole
one's usefulness and pep.

Apparently, some poems are easier to write than others are,
but, of course, I think that's the point.
As writers, the words may flow off our fingers like rivers of joy
on some days of great inspiration and relaxed thought.
Other days find the fingers wading through the molasses of failure,
but perfection is not possible in this life.
Therefore, progress is simply a matter of failing forward.

Failure defines the one, who stays on his back.
Progress defines the one, who gets back up to face anew the possibility of failure.
One's Progress is inscribed upon history by the parts of life that keep going on when we're laid to rest.

by Jay O'Toole
on July 31st, 2018