Homework w/e 14.03.11 THE TRAVELLER

[Maureen K Clifford]

THE TRAVELLER

It seems nothing lasts forever. Not life, not love, not looks,
no matter how hard you may try. Despite what’s read in books.
Nothing last forever, though try to capture it you may
for ultimately here on earth every thing yields to decay.

Perhaps the best thing we can do is put our hopes in rhyme
the sad, and happy ones as well as those we think sublime.
And if a touch of vengeance is perhaps the thing that’s sought
one could even write a poem listing those deep darkest thoughts.

The sharp sting of one’s wit could be there – just waiting to tell
those lifelong secrets closely kept till death’s broken the spell.
But if the telling causes someone close to come undone
you’d be better keeping quiet now – perhaps best keeping shtum.

In life there are no guarantees, death holds even fewer
like a walker on a coast road – you’re merely a viewer
of the beauty before you- sandy beaches, sheltered bays.
It is there for your enjoyment but you can’t take it away.

The racecourse is a bit like life – a circle going round.
Some folk make the whole distance, but others alas are found
to be wanting. They just drop out and fall along the way.
It’s a one way trip you’re taking – best enjoy it while you may.

The sharp end of the stick is that if alas your ambitions
come to nought – your dreams and plans just never reached fruition.
You fumbled from the starting gate and never led the pack,
regrets at end of day won't count for there’s no going back.

Since nothing lasts forever we should be the best we can
and hope we’ll be remembered in the minds of other man.
It’s nice to be important, more important to be nice
and one chance is all you’re getting – you won’t travel this road twice.


Maureen Clifford © 03/11