A.I. Defeats Itself

The following task was given to A.I. ChatGPT:

“Create a poem about the benefit of the human soul versus artificial intelligence.” Here is the result:

The human soul, a wondrous thing,

so much depth, so much to bring,

a source of joy, a source of pain,

a wealth of knowledge, A.I. can’t contain.

With empathy and compassion too,

the soul helps us understand what’s true,

our hopes, our fears, our innermost thoughts,

it’s what connects us, ties our knots.

Unlike machines of metal and steel,

the human soul can truly feel,

the warmth of love, the chill of fear,

the things that make our lives so dear.

We laugh, we cry, we hope, we dream,

we see the world in a different gleam,

we can imagine and we can create,

and shape our lives, our fate, our state.

For all its might, and all its brawn,

artificial intelligence can’t spawn,

the depths of soul, the human touch,

that makes us feel, that makes us clutch.

So let us cherish our souls so bright,

and all the beauty that comes in sight,

for in a world of machines and gear,

the human soul will always steer.

dVerse prompt

note to reader: I could not resist pitting A.I. against itself, as I am a staunch advocate of the human soul, and a decrier of the potential negative ramifications of A.I. Several weeks ago, I had a conversation about A.I. ChatGPT with a friend of mine, wherein we discussed its drawbacks upon the development of human beings. So, in responding to the poetry prompt to use A.I. to write a poem, I felt compelled to let A.I. describe its own limitations.

P.S. I made one change in the first stanza, ironically changing “we” to A.I.

And, an image from Craiyon A.I. Generator:

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Chorus of Praise

A musical enterprise,

spanning out across the cosmos,

the ethereal songs of the stars,

unwavering in their praise

of the Creator.

We mimic their tribute

to the Almighty,

serving to uplift souls on earth,

who aspire to draw close

to the One True G-d.

dVerse prompt

(And sometimes we’re left speechless, with only the silent prayers of the heart).

The Light Will Prevail

This year’s a different thing, – I’ll not think of you.*

Even though, I see the future in light of the past. And, although, that light is dim, a brighter one awaits upon the distant horizon. For, when the darkness seems to pervade the very bones, and drenches the psyche with its wear and tear upon hope, the promise of a new dawn becomes even more than a promise – for the track record of the prophets guarantees the fulfillment.

In December 2019, there had been a foreboding in my soul, when the lights of the menorah were dimmed on Chanukah, by the news of another intrusion of darkness, meant to quench the light that has spanned generations; yet, will continue to prevail, until the final triumphant day. Redemption is at hand in every moment of our lives. This eternal insight is what sustains me.

*Charlotte Mew, “I so liked Spring”

dVerse prompt

Thoughts Coalesce

Being aware

of separating the essential

from the nonessential,

making the right choices for myself,

and recommendations for others,

when I am able to do so –

this should compel me

to also guard my thoughts,

and watch my behavior –

an outward reminder

of the inner struggle.

—– —– —–

Perhaps, this panoply

of food allergies that plague

millions of people, like myself,

and the current disarray of society

are indications of the sickness within,

the disengagement of ancient truths,

no longer held within us

as a foundation to build upon;

the mild-mannered way

the good-natured person,

succumbing to the rants and raves

of a wild contagion

manifest in cancel culture,

and tearing society

apart at the seams.

—– —– —–

And, who will stitch and sew

together the remnant

of our tattered psyches,

except for the One

who can mend broken hearts,

and heal the wounds

that plague the soul?

—– —– —–

All of these externalities –

chaos, division, a lack of compassion,

an overall tendency toward

an underlying pervasive nihilism –

an outer manifestation

of the inner malaise

that corrodes from within,

unless we begin to search ourselves

for the solace inside of us

that can only be found

where we make space

for He who dwells within us,

and invite Him in.

Obliged to Try

Out of necessity,

eating unkosher chicken,

not out of rebellion,

nor indifference.

Rather, out of a sense of gratitude,

yet, begrudgingly accepting

the prepackaged fillets,

soaked in a spicy sauce,

that I should not have,

with two types of preservatives

that I normally avoid.

After a few bites,

my stomach is unsettled;

and, I think how much I would like

to eat kosher chicken fillets again,

as an occasional supplement

to my vegetarian diet.

Yet, alas, there is nowhere

here to find them,

unless I take a 2 hour trek

to the closest metropolis.

Challenged, we are,

to a lesser or greater degree

by secular society.

I wax philosophical,

feel spacy, and my stomach growls.

The curse of making a dispensation,

at the cost of my integrity

for one meal,

like Esau.

In the beginning, My servant Job

In the beginning

he would rise early in the morning

now the earth was chaos and waste

from roaming the earth and walking on it

darkness was on the surface of the deep

but now, stretch out Your hand

Then G-d said, Let there be light

only do not extend your hand against him

Then G-d made the two great lights

so the adversary departed from the presence of the L-RD.

—– —– —– —– —– —–

over the day and over the night

a messenger came to Job

to separate the light from the darkness

the fire of G-d has fallen from heaven

and G-d saw that it was good

I alone escaped to tell you

So there was evening and there was morning

while this one was still speaking.

—– —– —– —– —–

above the land across the expanse

suddenly a mighty wind came

over the whole earth

and struck the four corners

the flying creatures of the sky,

fell to the ground and worshipped

And it happened so.

I will return there

G-d saw everything

blessed is the name of the L-RD.

dVerse prompt

note to reader: This poem alternates between phrases from the Book of Genesis, chapter 1 (in italics); and the Book of Job, chapter 1 (plain text). Hopefully, the poem appears as a seamless whole, despite some of the juxtapositions, that might seem awkward.

A Time of Renewal

Rays of the sun follow the dawn

tinting the clouds, pink and blue.

A snapshot of eternity

as manifest in the reality

of an early morning scene

that renders emotions serene.

Tea from the cupboard of life

soothes my soul, minimizes the strife,

that swirls inside of my mind,

bringing comfort in due time.

Reflecting on people and places

missed opportunities and faces;

seems like a universal principle,

that room must be made for the new.

One door closes, and another opens;

as Pesach approaches, the old is removed,

exchanging chometz for matzoh,

bringing renewal to the depths of my soul.

As tears are sanctified by joy,

the troubled years recede into the past,

while the sun rises over Ir HaKodesh

wherein all prayers ascend to G-d.

dVerse prompt

Scrutiny

In constant awareness

of the painstaking scrutiny –

the soul’s revelation of itself

revealed each and every day.

—– —– —– —–

In mind, body and spirit,

the tripartite makeup of a human being,

the soul finds its expression,

weaving a meaningful tapestry,

while, G-d willing, conscious

of the intricate pattern being woven,

by the Master Artist Above.

—– —– —–

The emotions appear to color

the moments that pass by in reflection,

while I am pointed in a new direction,

with each inhale, exhale, and sigh.

—– —– —–

Living life in the moment

becomes a balancing act of the faculties

of one’s essential self; and with His help,

flows endlessly like a river into the eternal

nature of His grace.

Dreaming of Potential

“In the desert, you can remember your name
‘Cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain.”

– A Horse With No Name, by America

In the desert of my life,

when all of the pain and strife,

drifted like dust, behind me on the path,

I began to see the light at last.

And, yet, it is not as you might think,

as if I was brought to the brink,

of my trials and tribulations,

only to find instant redemption.

Rather, the light exposes the darkness,

gradually, within the soul of the penitent with finesse,

bringing understanding in its wake,

to the disillusioned, yet, sated heart.

In my lowliness, I began to see

all of what has been plaguing me;

so, that each pathogen may be brought into the light

for scrutiny under the gaze of G-d’s brightness.

Instead of abandoning my past in denial,

I become transformed through all that is vile

in my personality, turning into its opposite,

like toxic negativity being replaced by virtue.

Ariel

A light shines across the centuries,

 a single thread, weaves a tapestry.

G-d reckons the accounts of all souls,

balancing justice and judgment

with compassion and mercy.

—– —– —– —–

All are known to Him;

for, if each and every one

of the myriad of stars in the universe

is given a name, then how much moreso

is every soul on earth valued

in the eyes of the Creator?

—– —– —– —– —–

Despite assimilation

in a world gone awry,

our lives may be rebuilt

upon the ashes of the past.

Our souls may be redeemed,

by He whose arms are wide open

to receive us into His Sanctuary.

—– —– —– —–

For He is our refuge in times of darkness.

Israel has continuously cried out to Him,

even from the smoldering ruins of the Shoah.

And he will bear us upon the wings of angels,

for all the days of eternity.

in the wake of recent terror attacks:

pray for the peace of Jerusalem