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Poetry Magnum Opus

Ten Cents Worth


Gunslinger

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Gunslinger

I still recall, when, as a child,
I dreamed of grown-up things.
Then after I discovered books-
My fancy did take wings.

I was one with legionnaires-
Who marched to Caesars whim:
Or pioneers at some stockade-
A warrior’s charge to stem.

I dreamed of love as boys do-
But love eluded me.
I strived to tell myself ‘twas best-
That I be fancy free.

While searching near, and searching far-
I could not find the way-
That led me to true happiness,
And cannot to this day.

When asked if I were happy,
I had to think a bit-
And contemplate my feelings-
For an answer that would fit.

I’m not “unhappy” I replied-
I guess I am content-
To get ten cents worth out of life-
For every dime I’ve spent.

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David W. Parsley

Hi GS, welcome to the forum.  I knew a lady once who used to offer "not unhappy" as a way to describe life during those times when one is just "holding serve", so to speak.  And investment professionals would possibly observe, "Well, at least you preserved your principal."  But I understand the desire to see a greater return on investment, "how [things] should be."  I look forward to hearing more on that, as well as the rest.

 - David 

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 5/3/2021 at 10:03 PM, Gunslinger said:

... While searching near, and searching far-
I could not find the way-
That led me to true happiness,
And cannot to this day ...

I guess I am content-
To get ten cents worth out of life-
For every dime I’ve spent.

I can't even say that I have this bittersweet equation to enjoy in my own life; I have nothing to show in the conventional sense. Yet when I consider all I have squandered, I have few real regrets. My only significant regrets persist around those occasions when I've wronged God by having hurt others. 

Very nice work, Gunslinger. Welcome to the forum.

Tony

Here is a link to an index of my works on this site: tonyv's Member Archive topic

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  • 3 weeks later...

"Not unhappy" just might be the best existential reply I have ever heard.

A thoughtful piece, and a welcomed piece.

And hello from TX, too.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thank you.

 

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