Vulnerable

                                                                                   George Clausen

CARRY ON TUESDAY

http://carryontuesdayprompt.blogspot.com/2010/11/carry-on-tuesday-79.html

The words in blue are the first words of 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

VULNERABLE

In my younger and more vulnerable years

I lived among the mountains of my mind,

Walking on the pinnacles of joy

But crashing down when life proved too unkind.

Did someone praise my work? I surely knew

That I was bound for fame! I was supreme!

Did someone look askance at my attempts?

I crashed in anguish utterly extreme.

But 'win-some, lose-some' that is now my creed;

And failure's just a pin-prick, nothing more.

And 'average' is cosy, in a way,

Without the plus and minus of the score.

Success is something not to be attained,

So longing for its joys no longer hurts.

I constantly recite this mantra now;

' Just make a meal of all your just desserts'.

But how I miss the ecstasy of youth!

The pinnacles are now too hard to climb!

I'll 'be content, as butterflies with wings',

But what an unforgiving thief is time!

*

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ON REFLECTION

Two Female Birds, comparing notes, met at the watering hole.
Said Birdie One 'I very much fear the years are taking their toll.
My wings have lost a certain sheen; my beak is quite revolting.
I dare not look at the top of my head in case I've started moulting!'
Said Birdie Two 'It's true, my dear; when I look at my reflection
I see my tail is drooping down in quite the wrong direction.'
Then both of them began to laugh in that bird-like way that tinkles;
'At least, my dear, we've got feathers!
No-one can see our wrinkles!'
*