All knowledge is objective:
it refers to something.

All power is subjective:
it defers to someone.

Objects are things
construed as possibitities,
as facts that may be,
ways they might be seen.

Subjects are people
delegated as necessities,
as acts that must happen,
deeds that must be done.

Concepts determine the ways
things can be seen
(even if they go unnoticed.)

Emotions determine the deeds
people must do
(even if they lack the courage.)

Objects are what you must think
of things, like it
or not. Thus, they are understood
or misunderstood.

Subjects are what people feel
they may become, whatever
they believe. They obey
or disobey accordingly.

We see the world—
the things in it.

But history is done.
All those people!

The universe is a distribution
of light
        and weight,
of shimmering pleasures
and awkward burdens.

We carry them, and ourselves,
graciously, sometimes
        clumsily.
Enthralled, forgiving,
we carry each other.

"It" is
to philosophy

as

"you" are
to poetry.

But note:

Philosophy clarifies
how you think.

And poetry intensifies
how it feels.

Prose is language taken for granted.
Verse is language turned for pleasure.

Sometimes, we can't repress what reason affords us. Sometimes, we must.

Sometimes, we can't afford
to repress a passion. Sometimes,
we can't afford not to.

The hero is no hypocrite.
He courts the danger openly.
When he falls, the coward
must not say,"I told you so."