The legend is as far as the story goes.

Opsimath - one who learns late in life.

The green grass of legends roll
down the tongues of its forebears,
while memories turn to myths
as autumn greens change to browns.
The manuscript in mind slowly decays,
lost as snow flakes fall across the fields
of time’s spells broken.
The raven’s eye of the wise
behind the temple’s window
scours the lands where words speak
through wind’s whispers
amongst the trees of knowledge.
But did the legend live on?
No! It died when all the wise men
found out they were not men
of wisdom as one thought.
They were opsimaths.

Reviews

[Neville]

I wanna know where the cut off point is.... am I one or not... A great new word for many of us to get our heads around.... N

[lakinbob]

Great title. The stuff of legends, fabrication or fact, writ large here.

Opsimaths, thanks for the intro to an interesting word.

[R.E. Ray]

Andrew, your poem reminded me of something I heard long ago from my father (speaking about a neighbor with a large ego). He said the man was "a legend in his own mind." I think we create legends in every generation, and the wisest men and women are always dead. I find it convenient... since we can't confirm if they actually said or did this or that.

It's generally true the older are wiser, mostly because they've lived longer and overcome life's challenges. Some arrive late to wisdom. I think of those who lie, cheat and steal, and the rare few who find goodness and wisdom before they die. There's so much truth (and dare I say "wisdom") in this poem.

[andrew mitchell]

Thanks Ray , you are so right , we are all legends in mind in some sort of way.

[emmajoy]

'The manuscript in mind slowly decays,- lost as snow flakes fall across the fields- of time’s spells broken.'

A new and glorious-sounding word for me, andrew: ' opsimath' However the sound loses it glow when one thinks of those in the houses of parliament! Over time, wisdom becomes more hot air than cool and logical thought, So approve the thought behind this writing, thank you.

[andrew mitchell]

haha yes politics is a topical joke! thank you em for commenting, smiles to you.

[Einstein Noodle]

chuckling once again at your wit sir .. opsimaths indeed! (had to look it up so double thanks for my word for the day today ;) funny thing ..legends .. memories .. manuscripts .. the first thing that came to mind are the appointed "story tellers" ... the "keepers of history" in tribes ancient and still today .. i wish me Da was a more talkative man .. he held his stories close .. and i was way to stupid to ask for them .. a missing link in me life now ... and i am a lot like him ... other than in my poetry .. nice one once again sir .. a bit more serious with a twist of sarcasm in closing which is quite a delight ... what is it the Bible teaches ....... "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight." Isaiah 5:21 ;)
i enjoyed reading your "The legend is as far as the story goes" quite a bit!
E.

[andrew mitchell]

Lol thanks for your warm review as always appreciated Gene. It’s funny you say that about your dad, I wish my kids would ask me more about my views or stories but being girls they are more bonded to mum. Yes it’s a new word for me too which helped me end this funny story. Thank you my friend for your words of wisdom!

[Einstein Noodle]

and thank you for yours :)