Poetry – IF by Rudyard Kipling

This is one of my favourite poems because it speaks to me of a parent’s love for their child and of a person wishing to impart wisdom in an affectionate manner.It is a little dated, yet the words remain delicately selected and impressive. It was written in the 19th century as a tribute to Leander Starr Jameson, from whom Kipling hoped his son would draw inspiration. It is perhaps here that my discomfort stirs. The odour of colonialism and elitism is somewhat pungent.In my spoken introduction I refer to ‘chivalry’ as a value I appreciate. I cannot separate the knightly virtue from my thought as being a value for good. I know that most knights who claimed to follow that path were only chivalrous to people of a ‘higher station,’ however, and that is where the dream fades. Chivalry for me, is a non-sexist, non-political, tolerant, respectful, and temperate code. Chivalry should ALWAYS protect the dignity of ALL others, without selective consideration for personal reward thereafter.We face a world today where chivalry is only a faint ideal conjured up by old movies that tell of glorious pasts, and that which fail to present the complete picture of those times. It is not the job of a movie-producer to record history as a historian would. Though perhaps we should use movies we like as inspirational material to learn what really happened, and to whom, and why.TwoandaMic clocking out!Enjoy.I welcome opinions of every kind so please come and find me on social media at:Instagram: TwoandaMicTwitter: TwoandaMic1Should I really have to ask? 😉 If you like the developing story of this social journey unfurling in my series of podcasts, feel more than free, feel partially responsible for spreading the word by subscribing and sharing and where possible, liking. It is greatly appreciated! Thank you!Oh, and if there is a possibility to do some rating, that would be nice as well. Thank you.PS. The transcript has been generated automatically and does not always reflect what has been said with 100% accuracy. I hope however that it will still provide some clarity on the content...