Sunday, January 31, 2010

The Greatest Show on Earth



 
THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

Life is a ticket to the greatest show on earth!
As a foetus you were standing in the queue.
And you entered the arena at the moment of your birth.
Quite unaware that payment would be due.
You can't see the show unless you care to pay the price.
The popcorn and ices don't come free.
And what you have to pay is just decided by the dice
But for certain you are going to pay the fee.
You may pay in your childhood, when your school-days are quite grim,
When you're haunted by a bully and his kind.
You may pay as a teenager who's longing to be slim,
When you feel that glamour's leaving you behind.
You may pay with poor health which dogs you every single day
And means you can't participate in sport.
You may pay in your middle-age when a partner runs away,
And depression seems to rule your every thought.
Consider every friend you have; no ticket has been free;
Each one of them has had some price to pay.
Just take the rich and famous....life is not unending glee,
Not some wild, exciting non-stop holiday!
But we all agree, whatever comes, Life is the Greatest Show
And we want the show to never, never end.
So pay the price, add your applause and just go with the flow.
And I wish you every happiness, my friend.
*

13 comments:

Lisa said...

Thank you. Profoundly true.

Jo said...

Excellent, Brenda. Last night, at 11.30, our second grandson and fourth grandchild made his entrance into this great show. I am waiting photos from proud dad (whom I think is exhausted from the exciting but late night) and will post about this special event tomorrow. Have a good day. Jo

Gemma Wiseman said...

Yes! There are ongoing prices to pay to live life at various stages! Especially love the lines:
"You may pay as a teenager who's longing to be slim,
When you feel that glamour's leaving you behind."

Kat said...

Wishing you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY.... will catch up later :)))

Kat

Cheryl said...

Wonderful and how true! Thanks for sharing!

keiths ramblings said...

I'll certainly add my applause to this! I loved it.

Stan Ski said...

Don't count the cost - just pay the price, and get on with it.

Larry said...

Very nice poem I even learned a new word. feotus never knew it could be spelled in that manner thanks I appreciate that.


Old Time Cartoons

Medhini said...

Excellent work! The journey from birth... captured well in your words!

cyclopseven said...

What a translucent poem....life become pieces apparent between the words. Great job buddy.

Lilibeth said...

Yes, it's true that life exacts its payment; I hadn't thought of it in just that way before.
http://gildorianne.blogspot.com/2010/02/greatest-show-on-earth.html

linda may said...

Very insightful words. When you are in any one of those places you don't believe anyone else has ever felt like that before you.

Understanding Alice said...

well written as ever, although I found the idea kind of heartbreaking - I always saw life as free.