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Open Poetry #49
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JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2014-06-30 12:57 PM



after all the long years
drudgery work
he stands looking at what he possessed
walking through his house
one room into the next
he owned it
well, five more years of
house payments
what the hell
he smiles
he is old now
congratulating himself on
his accomplishments

at that moment
across the expanse of acres and acres
of forest
across a mighty wide river
another man
stands inside his one-room
shack, he calls it The Hovel
he owns it
a smile crosses
this man’s face knowing he has it all
a place to stay
warm in the winter, cool in the simmer
he is old now
this is all he needs
he pats himself on his back

both men hear voices within themselves
nope, they are saying,
you both delude yourselves
you have only been a tourist
working against time you think for yourself
you’ve climbed the mountains
worked the land
proclaiming what you see was yours
none of it ever really belonged to you
you never understood
did you?
all you accumulated
or less
makes no difference
you never owned us fools
we owned you


©June 24, 2014 / Jerry Pat Bolton

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

© Copyright 2014 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved
Redstart
Senior Member
since 2014-05-16
Posts 535

1 posted 2014-06-30 02:24 PM


How very true. We leave this world the way we entered, with nothing. Our ephemeral, monetary possessions are worthless. It is the quality of our interaction with our fellow humans, the guidance we give to our children, and the respect we have for the natural world which decide our lifetime's wealth. And that lifetime is but a flicker in an endless night.
Hey, you got me going there, Jerry.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
2 posted 2014-06-30 02:56 PM


You know where the riches are as we pass through the plane of existence, Redstart. Thank you for pointing them out.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
3 posted 2014-06-30 06:48 PM


An attitude of gratitude is a precious thing.
It can be a slippery little devil at times. Great write Jerry

Lori

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
4 posted 2014-06-30 07:19 PM


Yeah, I hear you on that gratitude thing, Lori, and I agree wholeheartedly. Thanks for being here.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

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