A Pragmatic Epicurean-Stoic Poem by Louise Tredoux

Born Free – I’m quite willing to agree we are
born free, but as we are imprinted by the
opinions of family; the culture in which
we live, the civilization in which
we have our existence

Our freedom is chained, imagination is limited -
because only within limitation can we be taught
to conform to the narrow norm that enables us
to do boring stuff without caring enough
to long for more enjoyment

In fact, modern teaching is all about educating
us how to survive suffering without blowing up,
I’m a pragmatic Epicurean-Stoic; I insist my
suffering has to be enjoyable, contributing
something towards eternity

Suffering is only acceptable if it will allow me
to have fun and benefit by it, leaving the
knowledge gained for generations to
come; I can’t complain too much,
suffering taught me

How to be a clown and zoom in on absurdity
as a source of innocent merriment, always
hoping things will go a little awry for more
opportunities to laugh at inflated egos -
and vain and pompous

Self-importance!