What You Don't Know

To a philosopher all news is gossip, and they who edit and read it are old women over their tea. - Thoreau

At this point in my life, I'm not so concerned about what I see and hear in the daily news.

Instead, I worry about what I'm not being shown or told.

Everything else is old.

Like fool's gold.

They say that, "What you don't know can't hurt you."

But that's kneeling in man's pew.

I beg to differ.

As the headwinds get stiffer.

I prefer to live in my own "private idaho".

Because it's really about ...

... what you don't know ...

Author's Note

"It is desirable that a man be clad so simply that he can lay his hands on himself in the dark, and that he live in all respects so compactly and preparedly, that, if an enemy take the town, he can, like the old philosopher, walk out the gate empty-handed without anxiety." - Thoreau

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

I really understood the message here Pete. There is much going on in the UK re politics and our leaving the EU. It is complex and what bothers me more than anything now is what the public are not being told. Stuff is being hushed up because others have their own agenda. We are deliberately being kept in the dark and fed false information. I've never been one to bury my head in the sand, I want to know all the facts. That's where your fine lines took me this evening. It's all politics over here at the moment. All good wishes. Love your posted image of that old bridge. Your work is always a pleasure to read.

Chris

[Pete]

great thoughts Chris. i remember being concerned when the EU formed (thought it would lead to problems). we've got difficult problems here in the U.S. too. health care, immigration,wall between us and mexico, $22 trillion dollar debt growing by the second and they keep printing money that isn't even worth the paper it's printed on. could go on forever. i do try to listen actually with an eye for reason and a heart for human compassion but everything has its limits. feels like we're on a giant ship that's difficult to steer and no one's on the bridge with a good grip on the wheel. thanks for weighing in ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

It's good to be compassionate, but as you say there are limits before it starts to turn troublesome. We can not solve the world's problems. Hope all is good with you.

[NotUsinganymore]

Very nice poem. I tend not to follow any news regarding my own country which often my friends complain about since they they always keep up with the news and all.

[Pete]

thank you. those who follow it just have more to complain about. your thoughts are kindly appreciated ... :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

This is a stark and important message in this day and age of 24 hour news trotted out with the stain of biased ink all over it. This free verse flows with passion and determination and fear. Indeed there is also an air of defiance in it!

[Stella Armour]

it's about negative spaces, sometimes they hold shadows we can't see...

[Pete]

so true Stella. they say, "better the devil you know than the devil you don't but i don't really want to know either... :)

[Stella Armour]

no, nor do I , stay safe in your own cocoon ..

[Pete]

you too hon, it's crazy what's going on ... :)

[Stella Armour]

sure is, it's frightening in my country ..