The Many Faces of Poetry: My Credo
Posted: February 25, 2022 Filed under: Poetry, The Many Faces of Poetry | Tags: Arthur Rosch, The Many Faces of Poetry, Writing to be Read 4 Comments
My Credo
Art Rosch
There is no truth but your own experience.
There is no method other than what you have, by trial and error,
found best enables you to survive.
There is no psychological health, because we are always deluded.
There is no physical health because we are always dying.
There is no teacher other than personal experience;
all other teachers are more like friends from whom one gleans
important information.
The quality of information one possesses translates to the quality of the life one lives.
Bad parents transmit bad information. This information has far reaching negative consequences, and one must struggle all one’s life to minimize the harm wrought by these consequences.
Consciousness is an experiment with different forms of information,
sifting through those that denigrate the self, selecting those
that optimize the self.
With the above in mind, it behooves one to act with the best judgment possible
under the circumstances, always bearing in mind that one’s compulsions, i.e.
the results of bad information, are always undermining good judgment.
It is useless to create inner tension between some mythical ideal of health
and what one actually is. Being what one is always takes precedence over
myths and ideals of competence, good judgment, wholeness, wellness
and enlightenment. Enlightenment (or the total apprehension of Truth) is possible at any moment, but the more
it becomes a goal, the more elusive it will be to attain.
___________________________________________________
Arthur Rosch is a novelist, musician, photographer and poet. His works are funny, memorable and often compelling. One reviewer said “He’s wicked and feisty, but when he gets you by the guts, he never lets go.” Listeners to his music have compared him to Frank Zappa, Tom Waits, Randy Newman or Mose Allison. These comparisons are flattering but deceptive. Rosch is a stylist, a complete original. His material ranges from sly wit to gripping political commentary.
Arthur was born in the heart of Illinois and grew up in the western suburbs of St. Louis. In his teens he discovered his creative potential while hoping to please a girl. Though she left the scene, Arthur’s creativity stayed behind. In his early twenties he moved to San Francisco and took part in the thriving arts scene. His first literary sale was to Playboy Magazine. The piece went on to receive Playboy’s “Best Story of the Year” award. Arthur also has writing credits in Exquisite Corpse, Shutterbug, eDigital, and Cat Fancy Magazine. He has written five novels, a memoir and a large collection of poetry. His autobiographical novel, Confessions Of An Honest Man won the Honorable Mention award from Writer’s Digest in 2016.
More of his work can be found at www.artrosch.com
Photos at https://500px.com/p/artsdigiphoto?view=photos
____________________________________________________________________
Want to be sure not to miss any of Arthur’s “The Many Faces of Poetry” segments? Subscribe to Writing to be Read for e-mail notifications whenever new content is posted or follow WtbR on WordPress. If you find it interesting or just entertaining, please share.
Writing to be Read 
A most thought provoking poem, Art.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you ,Robbie. It’s not really a poem, but it looks like a poem and maybe even quacks like a poem. To provoke thought, aha, that is good! A high compliment from my fellow poet.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah Art, you are very self effacing. Your poetry is quite exceptional in my humble opinion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Robbie, I’m not self effacing. I’m just old enough to know better.
LikeLiked by 1 person