Themes and Insights
Before the Fall
The Inevitability of the FallThere’s a clear sense of foreboding, as the speaker acknowledges the impending fall, saying, "I saw it all and knew it was coming with vengeance." This reflects an awareness of the destructive nature of pride, which often leads to one’s undoing. The fall is described as a stripping away of everything, leaving nothing but "sand between [their] fingers"—a metaphor for loss, decay, and the fleeting nature of material success.
Self-Realization and ReflectionAfter the fall, the speaker realizes that their heart was full of "Pride, Prejudice, and Judgment," qualities that led to their demise. They acknowledge the presence of these traits even now, recognizing their potential to grow once more. This demonstrates an ongoing internal battle between humility and the remnants of past pride.
Grace Found in OthersOne of the most poignant insights in the poem is the recognition of the grace, wisdom, and humility of others, particularly the speaker's wife. The speaker contrasts their own prideful past with the humble, genuine, and love-driven purpose of those around them. This suggests that true greatness lies not in self-exaltation but in love and grace shared with others.
A Return to HumilityThe poem ends with a plea for renewal—not in self-glorification, but in being filled with the attributes of others who embody humility, grace, and love. The speaker yearns for a transformation, asking for "your hopeful speech" and "your constant smile," a shift away from self-centeredness and toward a life motivated by love and humility.
Spiritual UndertonesThere are strong spiritual undertones throughout the poem, particularly in the reflection on eternal life and the grace of humble souls throughout history. The poem seems to point toward a spiritual rebirth, where the speaker’s pride must die for humility and love to prevail. This speaks to the universal theme of redemption through humility.
The Role of Family as a LightDespite the loss of material and social standing, the speaker acknowledges that the gift of his wife and family has been a constant light. This emphasizes the importance of personal connections and love in grounding the speaker, even through periods of loss and failure.
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Before the Fall
Before when all I touched was gold
and many came to visit
and the earth I travelled at will
I rose inside myself
Before when I prayed to be humble
and begged to not be spoiled
and still profited always in everything I did
I rose inside myself
Before when I stood upon stages
and walked with the wealthy
and motivated the seekers
I rose inside myself
Every step was a gain
Every word was a law
Every move was followed by followers
and I rose inside myself
Before the fall I saw it all
and knew it was coming with vengeance
Before the fall I felt it all
and knew it was burning my soul
This world is full
of beautiful crafters and writers and thought-smiths and philosophers
and Poets and dreamers and doers and givers.
They find no self praise in their hearts.
They find no self need in their hearts.
They find no self seeking in their hearts.
In my heart was found such things
and long ago I fell
down to the dirt, into the abyss, stripped of all
like sand between my fingers
Until no stone was left to stand upon another
of my former life.
In my heart was Pride
and Prejudice
and Judgement
and self-righteousness
Even now I can feel the place it seeks to grow
and for every year of my prosperity in ALL things
so too have there been every year of my loss in all things
Save the gift of family to keep a light alive in me.
And the more I read and learn and discover
the more in awe I am at the wisdom of others
the grace of others
the humility of others
and the true purpose of others in their craft.
My Wife is among them…
genuine words, respectful craft,
humble experience and motivated by love.
Indeed she is the greatest gift of my life.
But a fellow like me is deep in the mud
before I know its depth
and high in the clouds
before I know its limit
and mighty to myself
before I fall
of mighty Pride.
I miss my hopeful speech
and my constant smile
and my soft heart
and my open doors
and my gentle arms
and my fearless heart
and my powerful resources
and my influential friends
and my gladness in everything
and my non-existent fear
from before my fall
And though these blessings are truly a wonderful grace
they are
to one of Pride
a potential doorway to hell.
This time if there be anything to lift me up
it will not be me
nor will it ever be spoken of me
but of they who did Lift
and offer
and give
Because the works of my hands are dust
and the words of my mouth disperse in the wind
and the strength in my arms does fail
and the will of my heart does commit harm
and the flesh of my body grows old
and the Prowess of my Enemy does howl
since the beginning of man.
This time may I be filled
with your hopeful speech
and your constant smile
and your soft heart
and your open doors
and your gentle arms
and your fearless heart
and your powerful resources
and your influential friends
and your gladness in everything
and your non-existent fear
And may the beautiful grace of love
known throughout the universe as Eternal Life
Continue to bless the Humble souls of our History.
Ryan o0o
Before the Fall
Before when all I touched was gold
and many came to visit
and the earth I travelled at will
I rose inside myself
Before when I prayed to be humble
and begged to not be spoiled
and still profited always in everything I did
I rose inside myself
Before when I stood upon stages
and walked with the wealthy
and motivated the seekers
I rose inside myself
Every step was a gain
Every word was a law
Every move was followed by followers
and I rose inside myself
Before the fall I saw it all
and knew it was coming with vengeance
Before the fall I felt it all
and knew it was burning my soul
This world is full
of beautiful crafters and writers and thought-smiths and philosophers
and Poets and dreamers and doers and givers.
They find no self praise in their hearts.
They find no self need in their hearts.
They find no self seeking in their hearts.
In my heart was found such things
and long ago I fell
down to the dirt, into the abyss, stripped of all
like sand between my fingers
Until no stone was left to stand upon another
of my former life.
In my heart was Pride
and Prejudice
and Judgement
and self-righteousness
Even now I can feel the place it seeks to grow
and for every year of my prosperity in ALL things
so too have there been every year of my loss in all things
Save the gift of family to keep a light alive in me.
And the more I read and learn and discover
the more in awe I am at the wisdom of others
the grace of others
the humility of others
and the true purpose of others in their craft.
My Wife is among them…
genuine words, respectful craft,
humble experience and motivated by love.
Indeed she is the greatest gift of my life.
But a fellow like me is deep in the mud
before I know its depth
and high in the clouds
before I know its limit
and mighty to myself
before I fall
of mighty Pride.
I miss my hopeful speech
and my constant smile
and my soft heart
and my open doors
and my gentle arms
and my fearless heart
and my powerful resources
and my influential friends
and my gladness in everything
and my non-existent fear
from before my fall
And though these blessings are truly a wonderful grace
they are
to one of Pride
a potential doorway to hell.
This time if there be anything to lift me up
it will not be me
nor will it ever be spoken of me
but of they who did Lift
and offer
and give
Because the works of my hands are dust
and the words of my mouth disperse in the wind
and the strength in my arms does fail
and the will of my heart does commit harm
and the flesh of my body grows old
and the Prowess of my Enemy does howl
since the beginning of man.
This time may I be filled
with your hopeful speech
and your constant smile
and your soft heart
and your open doors
and your gentle arms
and your fearless heart
and your powerful resources
and your influential friends
and your gladness in everything
and your non-existent fear
And may the beautiful grace of love
known throughout the universe as Eternal Life
Continue to bless the Humble souls of our History.
Ryan o0o
Themes and Insights
Before the Fall
The Inevitability of the FallThere’s a clear sense of foreboding, as the speaker acknowledges the impending fall, saying, "I saw it all and knew it was coming with vengeance." This reflects an awareness of the destructive nature of pride, which often leads to one’s undoing. The fall is described as a stripping away of everything, leaving nothing but "sand between [their] fingers"—a metaphor for loss, decay, and the fleeting nature of material success.
Self-Realization and ReflectionAfter the fall, the speaker realizes that their heart was full of "Pride, Prejudice, and Judgment," qualities that led to their demise. They acknowledge the presence of these traits even now, recognizing their potential to grow once more. This demonstrates an ongoing internal battle between humility and the remnants of past pride.
Grace Found in OthersOne of the most poignant insights in the poem is the recognition of the grace, wisdom, and humility of others, particularly the speaker's wife. The speaker contrasts their own prideful past with the humble, genuine, and love-driven purpose of those around them. This suggests that true greatness lies not in self-exaltation but in love and grace shared with others.
A Return to HumilityThe poem ends with a plea for renewal—not in self-glorification, but in being filled with the attributes of others who embody humility, grace, and love. The speaker yearns for a transformation, asking for "your hopeful speech" and "your constant smile," a shift away from self-centeredness and toward a life motivated by love and humility.
Spiritual UndertonesThere are strong spiritual undertones throughout the poem, particularly in the reflection on eternal life and the grace of humble souls throughout history. The poem seems to point toward a spiritual rebirth, where the speaker’s pride must die for humility and love to prevail. This speaks to the universal theme of redemption through humility.
The Role of Family as a LightDespite the loss of material and social standing, the speaker acknowledges that the gift of his wife and family has been a constant light. This emphasizes the importance of personal connections and love in grounding the speaker, even through periods of loss and failure.
Before the Fall
Before when all I touched was gold
and many came to visit
and the earth I travelled at will
I rose inside myself
Before when I prayed to be humble
and begged to not be spoiled
and still profited always in everything I did
I rose inside myself
Before when I stood upon stages
and walked with the wealthy
and motivated the seekers
I rose inside myself
Every step was a gain
Every word was a law
Every move was followed by followers
and I rose inside myself
Before the fall I saw it all
and knew it was coming with vengeance
Before the fall I felt it all
and knew it was burning my soul
This world is full
of beautiful crafters and writers and thought-smiths and philosophers
and Poets and dreamers and doers and givers.
They find no self praise in their hearts.
They find no self need in their hearts.
They find no self seeking in their hearts.
In my heart was found such things
and long ago I fell
down to the dirt, into the abyss, stripped of all
like sand between my fingers
Until no stone was left to stand upon another
of my former life.
In my heart was Pride
and Prejudice
and Judgement
and self-righteousness
Even now I can feel the place it seeks to grow
and for every year of my prosperity in ALL things
so too have there been every year of my loss in all things
Save the gift of family to keep a light alive in me.
And the more I read and learn and discover
the more in awe I am at the wisdom of others
the grace of others
the humility of others
and the true purpose of others in their craft.
My Wife is among them…
genuine words, respectful craft,
humble experience and motivated by love.
Indeed she is the greatest gift of my life.
But a fellow like me is deep in the mud
before I know its depth
and high in the clouds
before I know its limit
and mighty to myself
before I fall
of mighty Pride.
I miss my hopeful speech
and my constant smile
and my soft heart
and my open doors
and my gentle arms
and my fearless heart
and my powerful resources
and my influential friends
and my gladness in everything
and my non-existent fear
from before my fall
And though these blessings are truly a wonderful grace
they are
to one of Pride
a potential doorway to hell.
This time if there be anything to lift me up
it will not be me
nor will it ever be spoken of me
but of they who did Lift
and offer
and give
Because the works of my hands are dust
and the words of my mouth disperse in the wind
and the strength in my arms does fail
and the will of my heart does commit harm
and the flesh of my body grows old
and the Prowess of my Enemy does howl
since the beginning of man.
This time may I be filled
with your hopeful speech
and your constant smile
and your soft heart
and your open doors
and your gentle arms
and your fearless heart
and your powerful resources
and your influential friends
and your gladness in everything
and your non-existent fear
And may the beautiful grace of love
known throughout the universe as Eternal Life
Continue to bless the Humble souls of our History.
Ryan o0o
Themes and Insights
Before the Fall
The Inevitability of the FallThere’s a clear sense of foreboding, as the speaker acknowledges the impending fall, saying, "I saw it all and knew it was coming with vengeance." This reflects an awareness of the destructive nature of pride, which often leads to one’s undoing. The fall is described as a stripping away of everything, leaving nothing but "sand between [their] fingers"—a metaphor for loss, decay, and the fleeting nature of material success.
Self-Realization and ReflectionAfter the fall, the speaker realizes that their heart was full of "Pride, Prejudice, and Judgment," qualities that led to their demise. They acknowledge the presence of these traits even now, recognizing their potential to grow once more. This demonstrates an ongoing internal battle between humility and the remnants of past pride.
Grace Found in OthersOne of the most poignant insights in the poem is the recognition of the grace, wisdom, and humility of others, particularly the speaker's wife. The speaker contrasts their own prideful past with the humble, genuine, and love-driven purpose of those around them. This suggests that true greatness lies not in self-exaltation but in love and grace shared with others.
A Return to HumilityThe poem ends with a plea for renewal—not in self-glorification, but in being filled with the attributes of others who embody humility, grace, and love. The speaker yearns for a transformation, asking for "your hopeful speech" and "your constant smile," a shift away from self-centeredness and toward a life motivated by love and humility.
Spiritual UndertonesThere are strong spiritual undertones throughout the poem, particularly in the reflection on eternal life and the grace of humble souls throughout history. The poem seems to point toward a spiritual rebirth, where the speaker’s pride must die for humility and love to prevail. This speaks to the universal theme of redemption through humility.
The Role of Family as a LightDespite the loss of material and social standing, the speaker acknowledges that the gift of his wife and family has been a constant light. This emphasizes the importance of personal connections and love in grounding the speaker, even through periods of loss and failure.
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