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Solomon on the Vanity of the World, A Poem. In Three Books. - Knowledge. Book I.

The bewailing of man's miseries hath been elegantly and copiously set forth by many, in the writings as well of philosophers as divines; and it is both a pleasant and a profitable contemplation.
~
Lord Bacon's Advancement of Learning.

The Argument

Solomon, seeking happiness from knowledge, convenes the learned men of his kingdom; requires them to explain to him the various operations and effects of Nature; discourses of vegetables, animals and man; proposes some questions concerning the origin and situation of the habitable earth: proceeds to examine the system of the visible heaven: doubts if there may not be a plurality of worlds; inquires into the nature of spirits and angels, and wishes to be more fully informed as to the attributes of the Supreme Being. He is imperfectly answered by the Rabbins and Doctors; blames his own curiosity: and concludes that, as to human science, All Is Vanity.

Ye sons of men with just regard attend,
Observe the preacher, and believe the friend,
Whose serious muse inspires him to explain
That all we act and all we think is vain:
That in this pilgrimage of seventy years,
O'er rocks of perils and through vales of tears
Destined to march, our doubtful steps we tend,
Tired with the toil, yet fearful of its end:
That from the womb we take our fatal shares
Of follies, passions, labours, tumults, cares;

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poem by Matthew Prior
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Countries are either mothers or fathers, and engender the emotional bristle secretly reserved for either sire.

quote by Edna O'Brien
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No matter how brilliant a man may be, he will never engender confidence in his subordinates and associates if he lacks simple honesty and moral courage.

quote by J. Lawton Collins
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Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps engender the support decisions need to be successfully implemented.

quote by Donald Rumsfeld
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By interpreting freedom as the propagation and immediate gratification of needs, people distort their own nature, for they engender in themselves a multitude of pointless and foolish desires, habits, and incongruous stratagems. Their lives are motivated only by mutual envy, sensuality, and ostentation.

quote by Dostoyevsky
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Mountains

Gazing at mountains
I can’t help but wonder…
Are they of heaven's artist
Or just nature’s blunder?

They rupture earth
While piercing sky.
As breezes whistle
Through their peaks
I can hear them sigh.

These gentle monsters
No doubt are designed
To engender peace
And magnificence
For all mankind.

poem by Gregory Huyette
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Speak Love

Today has there been time to say
“Please”, “thank you” or “I like it your way”?
Before the next sunrise appears and you’ve spent it,
Be sure you’ve uttered each word and meant it.
Mellow comments engender the same you will learn.
Try “I love you” and see what’s received in return.

poem by Gregory Huyette
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Love's Cure

Verbal spears birth memorable tears as
Thoughtless comments engender fears.
Anger's aftermath may be sorrow,
But its wounds traverse many a morrow.

Though such injuries heal they often scar,
Leaving pain and doubts as to who we are.
An injured spirit after such a serious shove
More than ever is in need of sensitive love.

poem by Gregory Huyette
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Forgotten Is Best

The heartaches and breakups posted
daily should engender sympathy, I suppose,
but something recalcitrant in me
says forget about it!

Get on with living your life!
Though I know that for some
bellyaching and tears in verse
is all they got to salve the sores!

Forgotten is often the best
way to go in this vale of tears!

poem by Michael Pruchnicki
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Love

TELL me where is Fancy bred,
Or in the heart or in the head?
How begot, how nourished?
   Reply, reply.
It is engender'd in the eyes,
With gazing fed; and Fancy dies
In the cradle where it lies.
   Let us all ring Fancy's knell:
   I'll begin it,--Ding, dong, bell.
All. Ding, dong, bell.

poem by William Shakespeare
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