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A Question Anyone

We have in life
a surfeit
of those who step to the mark
to declare
what should and can be done.

Ideas pour
from their open mouths
enunciating in grave tones
and solemn decrees
making claim
to the Wisdom
of the Knowledge Tree.

Regard these not
or follow those
who claim Secret Lore
and urge 'follow me.'

Hard Truth:
Every one claims answers
but cannot tell you what is the question;

every one thinks their answer
if true for them
is also true for you;
from that silly stance recoil.

Every sage can tell you what to do
but none can identify the first step.

All can see the path to follow
but none can answer
if a first step
is consistent with several paths which may follow.

None can answer
if you deny their answers offered,
(which are commonly either or choices)
but note life most often shows either/or
most often is neither/other.

None can tell you what is scientific about the scientific method.

None can separate in a simple sentence the difference between
book learning and common sense.

No sage alive can claim to know why Progress Now
has crashed so low-
despite all the Smart Ones
gone before.

Why is it that ignorance always fills the void
that Knowledge leaves?

Why are there always a surplus of answers
but few good questions?

I don't know
but I know what I don't know
hopefully,
that makes me one step ahead
of those who know the answer
before the question.

I think
those that always know
what they think they know
without ever asking
what is the question
that their knowing
is the answer to-
don't know
anything.

Best to smile faintly,
turn
and leave.

In life,
deep wisdom states:
we must learn to ask our own questions
so that answers are our own answers
drawing upon our own experience.

Ask not what the wise think
but ask instead
what questions did they ask
when it counted
as now,
at the brink.

poem by Lonnie Hicks
Added by Poetry Lover
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