A bystander is probably best and succinctly described as somebody who is present but not involved. Bitter as in a person, and often as a non involved bystander, is very likely to be resentful or cynical. So a bitter bystander then, but my word of choice would be jealous!
Yes jealously will often personify the said resentment of someone who is successful. Even more likely jealous of the person or people who had the courage and commitment to actually take part and have a try at something.
Quite a direct start then, and no prisoners taken as it is one of my all time dislikes of people who will mock and ridicule people doing something that they won’t attempt or take part in. Oh? You noticed, but flinch not for I’m sure as ever, that nobody (still? lol) reading this would do such a thing?
My “old reference mate” Shakespeare has Cassius saying in Julius Caesar “he will never be at hearts rest while he beholds a greater than himself”. Or for here, about someone who is successful when they can’t be, or much worse,won’t try….
A poem I wrote about six years ago for my 2nd book “More Poetic Views of Life” I think sums my theme up and is entitled, “Game to Lose”.
Game to Lose
Your game of life is often played
In front of the watching crowd,
Who see your each and every move
As you stand small, or very proud.
So the fence sitters will only watch
How others cope with their game.
And decrying all those who’ve lost
Whilst jealous of the victors fame.
For if you won’t take a part in life
You can deride and mock at will,
All those who try to do their best
To enjoy life, and so they’ll fulfil.
So that’s why I have strongly felt
It’s far better to have tried and lost.
For if you won’t compete or try
You’ll much later count your cost,
Of just cowardly sitting at the side,
Never taking any risk or chance.
Making you a lonely, boring case,
And not worth a second glance.
But by getting stuck in having a go
It’s just possible you may win out.
And that must be so much better
Than not to know a winners shout.
So our cosy spectators of the world
Will always rue not being brave,
And missed the warmth of joining in
Thus taking a sadness to their grave!
*
So a clear example then of our bitter bystander, and I’m quite confident that we all know someone like that, and perhaps to illustrate further what these people lack, and almost certainly would love is maybe in this next poem….
Exposure
It takes a very brave person
To rise above the parapet alone,
And to show themselves completely
Whilst standing on their own.
Now of course they would expect
That others would support them too.
But sadly not quite the case
As some find it hard to do,
Something else for any others,
Or maybe it’s indifference
That causes them to duck out
All safe behind their fence.
Of course they watch keenly
To see what happens next,
With their well rehearsed excuse
Or some other lame pretext,
That will justify themselves
From any exposure to the fray.
As they really do believe it’s best
To run, and fight another day.
So what of our poor victim
Now standing open to it all?
Leading a flock who didn’t follow,
And maybe smile to see him fall.
For in some cases it would suit
The cowards to say, I told you so.
We were right to keep our cover
And thus not to have a go.
Which certainly would be safer
And not take any chance to gain
Successful wins in their life,
But all their fears remain.
*
Now I am also thinking we have probably all come across examples of these “know alls or bystanders”, maybe at work when they always have done something better than you, or the way you are doing it? Of course on questioning their knowledge or qualifications it usually shows up as nothing concrete.
I can accept suggestions on my poetry, (having written 500 poems even “I” don’t expect anyone to like them all), but when the criticism is of my formatting style or varied stanzas as “it’s against the rules”, I can get a bit defensive.
Many people have said to me that they would love to write but don’t know the rules. I say just well write it as it’s yours and what you want to say or feel. Just do it. Plenty of people have said to me “I didn’t like poetry, but I like yours”. Nice but maybe that is a good example, I know nothing about art for instance, but I like some and some I don’t, but I would not presume to question how it was done. Our bitter bystander probably would I expect.
Perhaps another example of a resentful person who may by intent or not, ruin things or events for people.
Clown at a Wake
Some events in life should be serious
With all due decorum they require,
As we try to meet appropriate needs
Of settled behaviour and smart attire.
But human nature is not all like this
And there will always be the clown,
Who despite the pleas of others
Can bring any situation down,
By maybe having too much drink
Or an over-loud spoken word,
To cause a dispute or argument
When his crass comment is heard.
This can then very soon escalate
Into a massive incident and row,
Whilst the culprit looks bewildered
At the scene, and wonders how,
Such an unseemly occurrence
Could have actually happened here.
But being oblivious of any blame
Will calmly sip another beer.
So there’s always the one in a crowd
Who can make discontent bloom,
Having notorious ability to start
A fight in an empty room.
Whether it is the demon drink
Or their actions that sadly sway,
The appropriate peace and quiet
And spoil a respectful day.
Thus be careful of your guest list
And just who is going to be there,
For our loose cannon clown
Can create havoc without care.
*
Oh dear, so our jealous and embittered person can cause havoc if frustrated by lack of attention or maybe feelings of failure and inadequacy. Best beware then, but I am sure you are getting the picture now, and with possibly even recognition of names and faces. Don’t look too long in the mirror my mum always used to say. Mmmmmmm they know a lot do mums, but fear not and just keep moving, you’ll be fine….
The Man Who Has Seen Everything
As we live on through our years
There is much that we can see,
Displayed by different experiences
In a vast world for you and me.
Although some people must keep safe
With a nervous concern of exploring,
So while they see all their little world
For others that is too boring.
Which then brings us to the bold
That want to embrace life with a gasp,
As adventures and new behaviours
Come happily within in their grasp.
Now I like to count myself in these
As I’ve not left many stones unturned,
Which opened up exciting routes
Thus for very little have I yearned.
So now I can say with an honesty
There isn’t too much of life I’ve missed,
Such as cultures, behaviours and women
And quite a few of those I’ve kissed,
Which gives me a contented balance
To make me smile and my heart sing,
But our experiences must be tempered
Unlike the man who’s seen everything.
For he has blinkered observations
And believes that he knows it all,
So as time had advanced with him
He became nervous and scared to fall,
Should he venture from his comfort zone
Now limited to narrow and addicted.
For he only has sheltered world
So to a miniscule life he’s restricted.
But obviously he has to rationalise
And says no excitement is needed,
Because he really is now introvert
With perimeters that have receded,
To an almost hermit like existence,
Hiding in a world not big, but small.
For if he is approached or invited out
He fearfully says he’s seen it all.
*
So “unhappy forever the man will be, who never took a chance to see!” Or possibly wouldn’t get involved and take any risk, but of course knew everything about everything whilst knowing nothing about much at all………. or poetry perchance?
So our cosy spectators of the world
Will always rue not being brave,
And missed the warmth of joining in
Thus taking a sadness to their grave!
Here “endeth the lesson” of the bitter bystanders of life….
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Poetic Views of Life
More Poetic Views of Life
Reviews of Life in Verse
Life Scene in Verse
Life Presented In Verse,
Poet Reveals All (in your world).
Poet Reflects Your World
Poetic Seeds to Fruition
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