My poor friend smiles happily
a large grin from ear to ear
as he describes his family
and the love that fills them
He laments not having wealth
to spend lavishly on them
to buy the gifts he wishes
hoping to make life better
he sees the wealthy man
as the definition of success
having all he can want
and thinks there is happiness
My rich friend smiles drunkenly
slurring through another drink
describing his latest conquest
more personal wealth acquired
then tears fall from his eyes
as he laments his family lost
traded away for his career
not having those special times
he sees the poor man
as a lesser man then he
deeming him a failure
based on material gains
I see two very different men
focused on their own needs
one living for his family
the other for his wealth
One claims to be a success
the other seems to agree
I see things differently
as the roles are reversed
the poor man has found it
that great true value of life
the rich man cannot buy it
alone at the end of it all
find the source of real happiness
and the treasure will be yours
one thing that stays with you
the one true sign of success
I made a pledge to myself to write a poem a day for the entire year. Now to follow through. I preface this with a reminder; most of the poems written for this year long project will be done so spontaneously and therefore will not be edited. Bear with me on this. The project goal is to get them written over getting them perfect. Several times there will simply be the poem with no title. When that happens suggestions for a title will be welcomed in the comments.
Yes, I know this has been said before, but there is a vital twist. Ouch!!
ReplyDelete