Dearth of Emotional Intelligence
Most everyone believes they have the skill
To understand and manage their emotions,
But some folks’ hopeless actions truly will
Lead one to wonder where they got such notions.
They’ll also think that they can recognize
And influence emotions others hold,
Which only leads to rolling of one’s eyes,
As failed attempts to motivate unfold.
Core Conflict
On my values I will stand,
Whereby discipline’s a key,
But then on the other hand,
So is flexibility.
What Speaks Loudest?
While words are trumped by what you do
A fact on which we’d all agree
Acts still may tilt pretentious too.
Inaction, though, can never be.
Russel Winick started writing poetry after ending a long legal career. He resides in Naperville, Illinois.
Words of wisdom (??) all, Russel, with your wonderful sense of humor in each piece, topped off with a great image from Evan. Thanks for the smiles –
Thank you Mark. I just try to call the balls and strikes as I see them. I’m pleased that you felt the poems were wise and humorous.
These are funny. That fact alone boosts these poems in the reader’s esteem. Here the humor stems from insight into human foibles and is amplified by the brevity of the lines. Short and pungent gets the job done wittily. Thanks for the smiles!
You are most welcome. Thank you for your generous comments.
Core Conflict – nailed it.
Thank you for your lovely comment. Much appreciated!
Nicely nuanced nuggets.
Thank you Paul. Happy New Year!
Every time you write something that is true, you need to cover your ass. In a just world, you would be the Minister of Hall Passes. Nothing true you’ve done should be undone, and the asses who pretend to control our fates should just listen.
Minister of Hall Passes — I like that. Thanks!
Managing of one’s own emotions certainly depends on the situation. Trying to manage the emotions of others may have risk or reward. Couples, parents, and politicians among others are all in the business of managing emotions. I stand on discipline and values at the core. Pretentious acts are in the eye of the beholder. As we say in Texas, if the tale is true, it ain’t braggin’. I always look forward to your keen wit and witticisms that tickle the mind and make us think.
Thank you Roy, for your usual kind and interesting comments.
As poets, we try to influence emotions at times, but our real task is to evoke emotions — joy, rage, contentment, hatred, acceptance, lust, defiance, love… whatever. We use our skill in language to summon up from the reader’s soul the impulses that may lie there as embers, and fan them into flame.
But trying to control the emotions of others is a tyrant’s game, or that of a meddlesome busybody.
Agreed. Thanks, Professor!
Russel, as ever there is much wisdom in your bite-size pieces of poetic sagacity. Your poems make me feel sane in an insane world, and for that I am most grateful! Russel, keep doing what you do so well. Thank you and a very Happy New Year to you!
Thank you Susan, but you’re extremely sane without me contributing at all. Happy New Year to the Power Couple of Poetry!
Great work, Russel… don’t you mean “power couplet” ?
That works too!
Russsel, for once I’m not sure I agree with you. That is, I’m not sure “most people” believe they can manage their own emotions. I may be overly optimistic, but I think the only ones who believe that are on either end of the spectrum: the hard-boiled bullies and those who are constantly suffering turmoil but think they have it under control when they can blame it on others. These types are self-deceived, but in the middle there seem to be many who know they are subject to emotion, but just go with the flow when necessary. That behavior, I would say, is not management but an agreement to take the consequences of being human even when it hurts.
However, I’m glad to think about emotional persons I know when you do, and when you’ve made such a well-worded quatrain (the first of “Dearth”) expressing your views. Happy New Year!
Thanks Margaret. You have some good points here