I was promised more than this, I’m certain.
Go to church, stay in school, wash behind your ears!
Keep it shut, listen to me, there’s a good boy, because I said so!
But these tropes are all a debtor’s bargain, a fool’s bet—
the carrot and stick that was a spot of ease,
a moment of repose, with years yet left to fade away:
heart and hope, a hand to hold and no one left wanting.
All the talking, would, I thought, have been done by now,
the lessons heard, their wisdom learned and everyone’s pride earned.
I bought it all, I sold it all and am ashamed to say that I wanted it all.
Surely that counts now, for something.
Thank you for reading Doesn’t it? I sincerely hope you have enjoyed it and I humbly appreciate your visiting the Book of Pain. As always, I look forward to your comments.
The photograph was taken at Acadia National Park in Maine. To see my photography, please visit the Book of Bokeh blog.
john
Photograph, notes and poem © John Etheridge; all rights reserved. The poem and accompanying notes are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License. This applies to all original written work found on this site, unless noted otherwise. The attribution claimed under the license is: © John Etheridge, https://bookofpain.wordpress.com. The photograph is not licensed for use in any way without the expressed consent of its copyright owner.
Compelling!
Thank you Cindy!
Nice poem and photography
I appreciate your that very much, thank you!
Quite thought provoking.
Always a poet’s greatest compliment, and of course you would know it! 🙂 Thank you.
Poignant poetry, John.
Thank you, I appreciate that very, very much!
Thank you for reading some of my work I really appreciate it. I like how you ask the hard questions most are afraid to ask. It’s refreshing and provoking.
“Were I born and you not” is one of those classically beautiful lines that is a perfect title and start to a poem. I could not help but be enthralled! 🙂 I liked your site very much.
This poem’s the only one featured from my first book. The rest here are all new and will be in the upcoming one. It means a lot that you liked it, thank you so very much
It was my pleasure! 🙂
Beautifully penned and very touching! … Best wishes, Aquileana ⭐
Thank you so much! I hope it is a small recompense for the hours I have enjoyed your blog learning about the Greeks and their worldview. 🙂
You write eloquently from a deep well of insight, John.
Bonnie, dear, such words from you melt my heart with thanks and gratitude! Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity.