To You Who Are Forgotten

Thanks for tuning into another blog this week! As I've been thinking about how often I'll post these ol' things, I've decided that there will at least be one new "featured blog" every Friday; and would you look at that...... IT'S FRIDAY! As I mentioned in the "about" section, not only will I post new content like short stories and poems that are born from ideas formed on my mission, but I will provide the context and theme from my perspective. This way, maybe I can encourage some of you to turn your ideas into reality.

This specific poem idea came to me early in my mission as I wandered the streets of Staines-Upon-Thames, London observing people. The inspiration came and was documented on January 25th, 2022 and was originally titled: "Kings Don't Call The Checkmate." Now, October 6th, 2023, it is finished and published. Enjoy:

"To You Who Are Forgotten"

Popularity is the dunce’s bane;

And fame, the ninny’s plan.

For vanity is nowhere near the same

As the will of a determined man.

Some seek the world’s jewelry,

And some the quickened prize;

But isn’t it all tomfoolery

Deep in perspective’s eyes?

For kings don’t call the checkmate,

And Goalies score no goals;

But they, despite the going rate,

Play more important roles.

And parents sign no autographs,

Nor do teachers make it big,

But who cares about publicity,

When the journey is your gig.

Too many people are forgotten,

Too many left no lasting mark

On the world’s list of “higher souls,”

But who cares? They made a start!

To you who are forgotten,

There really should be none,

Because what you have and haven’t gotten

Compares little to what you’ve done.

-Cale Kenneth Montoya

As I started this poem with the first four lines, I struggled with the concept of accidentally portraying the notion that being well-known is a negative thing or even something frowned upon. I initially wanted to start the poem by saying something along the lines of "Popularity misused is a gift abused..." but as you may know if you have tried your hand in poetry, there is more to it than just rhyming. This particular line, and any other that would be protecting the concept of dangerous fame, didn't fit the format and rhythm I was envisioning. I wrestled with this concept in the first place because I see popularity like I see social media: bad and good! Good, because people like Prophets and Apostles, or Gandhi, Mother Teresa, etc, are well known and don't use it for power and manipulation. Bad, because people like Adolf Hitler sought fame and mass-worship for unfortunate reasons and gain.

I feel like in a reflective sense, the first few sects of this poem can be interpreted in many ways but the intention is genuine.

The theme, however holds deeper meaning. If you happened to watch the recent General Conference, (a bi-annual religious educational meeting held by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) there was a talk that really helped me give life to this content. Elder David A. Bednar gave a talk titled "In the Path of Their Duty." In his speech, he highlights a talk given by President J. Reuben Clark given on the topic of Mormon Pioneers who trekked along the plains of America to reach Salt Lake City. President Clark highlights the unnamed pioneers in his talk which was titled: "They of the Last Wagon." Bednar says: "President Clark described in great detail the characteristics of and the challenges faced by the migrants who traveled in the last covered wagon in each of the long wagon trains that crossed the plains. He praised these anonymous and uncelebrated heroes who, day after day, week after week, and month after month, choked on the dust stirred up by all of the wagons rolling in front of them—and who overcame the relentless obstacles they encountered along the way."

This is precisely the point of my poem too. I was shocked when I first heard Bednar's talk because it was exactly the blog entry I was working on this week.

In like fashion to this theme, I know a very strong woman who once was called to be a nursery teacher (working with infants before age of 3) in her perspective church. She would often fulfill her responsibilities to the best of her ability but sadly, working with children that you can't have a conversation with or necessarily relate to can be quite a lonely and unnoticed feat. She found herself distant from others even when she was trying her best to make a difference. Ironically, Elder Bednar distinctly, yet not selectively, mentions her and her very calling! "The phrase 'in the path of their duty' describes the thousands and thousands of nursery leaders and Primary teachers who love and instruct the children of the Church each Sabbath day. Consider the eternal impact of the service rendered by these devoted disciples—and the marvelous blessings promised to those who minister to children."

As one of my loving grandfathers once said: "people are the real treasures of the Earth." I couldn't agree more, and thus, this is my message, this is my objective.

Lastly, something that you should know about me and all my creative writing work is that I always try to put a little piece of me in them. "For kings don’t call the checkmate,

And Goalies score no goals;" is a personal tribute to my days spent in the school library playing chess and my 13 years of soccer being our team's goalie. So next time you read a poem of mine, I'll be staring you in the face!

Most importantly, never forget that if you believe that few people know who you are, God does, and He is Everything.

-Cale Montoya (10-06-23)