My Ignorance, by Manatita

Manatita is an esteemed author living in London, UK. He writes spiritual books, flash fiction and esoteric poetry, his favourite genre.

A Free Verse Sonnet

She spins, like one lost in the darkness,

Her waves lashing against the belly of the night.

Unconscious of the way she rolls,

She skates on the foreheads of the innocent,

To assuage her bleeding wounds.

O vast sky, I'm like a bird without feathers!

Where is the Light in my darkness?

This road of ignorance is strewn with shadows,

As such I do not see ...

A lost wayfarer, clutching at the abyss,

She moves forward, crashing and tumbling

With the pendulum of life.

O Love, I'm face-to-face with my nemesis-night,

Remove this obstacle, to my abode of Light.

Manatita, The Lantern Carrier, 12th June 2018

Quote from the Master

"Ignorance is an enemy, even to its owner. Knowledge is a friend, even to its hater. Ignorance hates knowledge because it is too pure. Knowledge fears ignorance because it is too sure." -Sri Chinmoy

Joy in Ignorance

© 2018 manatita44

Comments

manatita44 (author) from london on June 20, 2018:

True Dee.

Thank you so much!

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on June 15, 2018:

True, crashing and tumbling could result from ignorance. Good message and supporting quotes presenting ignorance as the obstacle that it truly is.

manatita44 (author) from london on June 14, 2018:

Yes, Li-Jen.

It hates knowledge. Of all the Divine Qualities, Light is wanted least by humans. We fear that it will expose us, but actually it is our birthright and its only intention is to illumine our darkness. Thank you so much!!

Li-Jen Hew on June 14, 2018:

Hello Manatita, the fact of acknowledging ignorance is praise worthy. Haha. I like that the poem portrays ignorance in such a way that you can feel the hopelessness of not knowing. I can feel the depth of the ignorance with the bird without features and the girl who falls. As for the quote, ignorance is bliss...I would agree that ignorance may be harmless but blocks us from getting more for ourselves and perhaps like what you say in the comments below, encompasses fear as well....wider range of definitions. Finding knowledge is also a conscious effort because "ignorance hates knowledge" haha...Thank you for sharing, this a good reminder.

manatita44 (author) from london on June 14, 2018:

Ah Shauna.

You are so kind! A very beautiful sentiment. Thank you so much!!

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on June 14, 2018:

This is awesome, Manatita! Your metaphors and similes are gripping. I had to read it over twice because I love the imagery in your words.

Stunning!

manatita44 (author) from london on June 13, 2018:

True Jodah.

The material law takes a dim view and the spiritual law is much worse. For example, we can say that those who killed Christ will likely get some serious karma as the scriptures do indicate that we reap what we sow. Thank you so much!

John Hansen from Queensland Australia on June 12, 2018:

I love a good sonnet, Manatita, and you delivered here. As far as the law is concerned "ignorance is no excuse," and although it may make life easier to plead ignorant in certain matters it is not ideal.

manatita44 (author) from london on June 12, 2018:

Marlene,

Thank you so much! I always love to see you. Peace.

manatita44 (author) from london on June 12, 2018:

Linda L,

It's me again, a third time!!!

THOMAS GREY is partially right. Blake, Sri Ramakrishna and my teacher puts it a different way.

They say that true, we should tell the truth, but never tell a cruel truth.

Audrey,

Another very sweet, heartfelt and sincere answer. I love it. You too, may perhaps wish to read my answers to Linda L. Gratitude ... much.

manatita44 (author) from london on June 12, 2018:

A fine and loving sentiment Peggy. You approach it in a heartfelt and sincere way. Thank you so much!

manatita44 (author) from london on June 12, 2018:

Linda L,

I left out a crucial part. No, no! True wisdom is Knowledge, experience ... Love or Light. The opposite of darkness.

Now to confuse you more, ignorance is part of God's plan. One of his tools, so to speak. In the spiritual life, we do not jump from A to Z, it is a slow process.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on June 12, 2018:

You tackle many subjects and use your poetry as well as quotes to keep teaching readers of your articles good lessons. You also make us think which is a good thing. Your images perfectly suited this subject of ignorance.

manatita44 (author) from london on June 12, 2018:

Thank you, Linda C.

By coming together, you two sweet souls confuse me. Lol.

Yes, again in mystic circles or terminology, we use darkness a lot. What does it do? It hides the Light. It is a temporary veil. Thank God!

See also my long answer to Linda L. Thank you so much!

manatita44 (author) from london on June 12, 2018:

Thanks Linda.

I explained it to Ioannis below. It is a broad term used in Yoga philosophy, to cover our imperfections, limitations, bondage, weaknesses or negative tendencies. We call it Sin in Christianity-- that which binds you or transgresses the Higher law. Ignorance is deeper as we actually do not know we are wrong. God has placed or the mind has placed a veil on our Consciousness ... awareness.

Christ was such a compassionate and loving soul! Yet many who were attracted by his miracles, were shouting "Crucify him!" If they knew who he was, they would not have done it. That is why he asked for forgiveness for them, as they did not know who he was.

In Plato's Republic, the Spiritual Master goes into a dark tunnel to those in chains. He speaks of Light. But they only know the darkness and so they reject him. Why wouldn't they seek his help and go to the Light? Because of ignorance but there is also fear ... discomfort.

We are happy with what we know. Fear what we do not know.

One final example. There is a girl here who wrote about Ignorance. It flagged up yesterday. I remembered her. She asked a question on Question and Answer and my answer was that she had to Love. She did not like it. I explained again, saying the same thing in a different way. She deleted my answers. That's ignorance.

Long one for me, Linda. You and I, we are serving others. Peace.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on June 12, 2018:

This is a powerful poem. I love the way in which you've linked ignorance with darkness. The imagery is very effective.

Linda Lum from Washington State, USA on June 12, 2018:

The actual quote, from Thomas Gray is "Where ignorance is bliss, 'Tis folly to be wise."

What is ignorance? Is it inattentiveness, or inaction, or lethargy, or the naivety of youth? Is wisdom then misery?

Audrey Hunt from Idyllwild Ca. on June 12, 2018:

The more I learn, the less I realize I know. For me, life is knowledge. each day, life teaches me exactly what I need to know. I love your message, conveyed through each perfect word your poem reveals.

May peace be yours,

Audrey

Marlene Bertrand from USA on June 12, 2018:

So true. Ignorance is not bliss. Sometimes I wonder who penned that comment. Probably someone ignorant, right? Wonderful poem, as always.

manatita44 (author) from london on June 12, 2018:

Haha.

Cast asunder my ignorance. Guruji says in his songs. For us in Yoga we mean limitations ... imperfections, bondage, negative traits ...

Thank you so much, my brother. I'm well. Just serving, that is all. Peace.

Ioannis Arvanitis from Greece, Almyros on June 12, 2018:

“When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.”

― Mark Twain

What a hard opponent to fight, my brother!

I am glad there are Lanterns...

May the Knowledge bless us.

Sean

manatita44 (author) from london on June 12, 2018:

Ah Mary.

I love your father-in-laws quote. So original! Nice one! Thank you so much!

manatita44 (author) from london on June 12, 2018:

Yes, Bro.

I put it in the Sonnet, then removed it. It has its merit in a strange way. In my Hub The Tragedy of the Telephone Call, the husband killed his wife, then himself, once he knew that she was cheating.

Again, the real ignorance, was not that a friend told him, but that the ignorance of attachment was with him anyway.

This is Yoga philosophy. When we do something wrong, the buck stops with us, not others. So he killed his wife, not because someone squeeled, but because of the inherent weakness in his own nature. That is ignorance. Gratitude

Frank Atanacio from Shelton on June 12, 2018:

Loved it manatita.. but didn't someone.. somewhere say that Ignorance was bliss? I dunno.. but love the sonnet my friend

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on June 12, 2018:

Ignorance causes so much misunderstanding and chaos which often we take for granted. My father-in-law used to quote: It's not so much what you know but what you know which ain't so. Keep sharing your light, Lantern Carrier.

manatita44 (author) from london on June 12, 2018:

Eric,

You are a funny one. It carries pain, you know, as well as pleasure. You like the pain too? Ha ha. Thank you so much!!

Ah, Rinita, you're a Seeress. Nice one!

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on June 12, 2018:

I love ignorance because it gives me a chance to overcome it.

This is great;

"This road of ignorance is strewn with shadows,

As such I do not see"

Rinita Sen on June 12, 2018:

The first verse is too powerful! I totally agree ignorance is anything but bliss. Ignorance about one thing often leads to ignorance about another, and the chain reaction of slow poisoning begins. Again, powerful sonnet.