Sunday, October 18, 2009

One Single Impression -- Conquer



I shall not
conquer fear;
instead
shall court,
engage and learn,
thus grow within
fear’s embrace
and dance,
vibrant,
alive.

©sgreerpitt
Sunday October 18, 2009

When I first began to think about this week's prompt, several common phrases popped into my head "conquer fear" and "conquered by love." The on-line dictionary gave the meanings of the word conquer as:
1. to acquire by force of arms; win in war: to conquer a foreign land.
2. to overcome by force; subdue: to conquer an enemy.
3. to gain, win, or obtain by effort, personal appeal, etc.: conquer the hearts of his audience.
4. to gain a victory over; surmount; master; overcome: to conquer disease and poverty; to conquer one's fear.

As I thought about these meanings and these common phrases, I became uncomfortable with the connotations. Is love that "conquers" really love? Should love subdue or surmount us? Should we really wish to master and overcome fear? Doesn't a certain amount of fear keep us wary and safe? If we think we have "conquered" fear, perhaps all we've done is driven it underground, suppressed it -- repressed it -- where it will surely do more damage that out in the open and recognized.

For other, worthier poems on the prompt "Conquer" see One Single Impression.

22 comments:

if said...

the word "conquer" has a submission denotation...it depends on what you relate it with......we do not conquer fear but we accept fear facing it...we do not conquer love but discover love...(?)interesting questions those you made..:)

anthonynorth said...

I agree with you on fear. We certainly couldn't survive without it.

SandyCarlson said...

I'm with you on this one, Sue. I enjoyed the post. Those things we at first wish to conquer are actually our teachers.

Tammie Lee said...

Hi Sue,
I love your thoughts on fear! To be with it, to learn from it, to feel it - feels like a healthy relationship with fear.

Loch Rob said...

I don't think we usually conquer things. I think we learn to live and manage our fears. I like your thought process and conclusive poem.

Amity said...

very well said Sue!

yes, if we can't conquer it, we may grow and learn with it!

septembermom said...

We can grow from fear. It can be an enabler. The poem is wonderful. Thank you. I will remember it for sure.

Anonymous said...

This may sound strange but I think on the word conquer as a task achieved by one who abuses. Long/Short - I suppose it has to do with the attitude of the abuser. I would rather share than conquer.

As far as fear, after 19 surgeries, several near death battles and now lupus, you could say fear and I have made peace with one another.

great topic!! Hugs. Tammy

gautami tripathy said...

I think you did great job with this. One has see all the perspectives.Be in conquer or fear.

what has time got to do with blood?

Also don't forget to post your creative works at Monday Poetry Train Revisited each Monday morning!

Amias (ljm and liquidplastic) said...

Sue this is a most beautiful thought, and you chose the right picture to display it on.

I believe that fear, like everything else, is a necessary emotion, without which a lot of good things would never have come about. But like you said, it must be conquer because too much of it is very destructive.

What I am looking for is a good and healthy balance.

Andree said...

Your poem is important to me. These are words for me to live by. I have printed out (the image alone, not the blog page) and am keeping it on my office wall. Thank you.

Tumblewords: said...

Wonderful use of the prompt word - you've taken it to the next level to show the positive potentiality!

sgreerpitt said...

andree -- I am deeply touched by your comment, I'm glad that something I learned in life is meaningful to others.

Anonymous said...

Great way to go at it, Sue. This poem rocks!

Unknown said...

This is very honest, realistic and beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

Jim said...

Sue, you like to live on the edge don't you! You are right though, the impression remains after the fear is gone. A lit of lessons are learned that way.
..
BTW, weren't there a lot of college cures? Almost as many as 'old wives tales' and their cures.
..

zoya gautam said...

too good ..

Quiet Paths said...

I would truly have to agree with every word.

Geraldine said...

This is an excellent and thought-provoking interpretation of this prompt Sue. I'm glad I stopped in.

Hugs, G

Jessica said...

Sue!
I love this! It made me think of the "Dune" series and Paul's mantra:

"Fear is the mind-killer.Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear... And when it is gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear is gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”

Great stuff Sue!

swapna said...

I loved the idea of embracing fear to grow within, to dance and be alive. Beautiful thought indeed.

Anonymous said...

It agree, rather amusing opinion