Stuck in a Rut

BIG TENT POETRY

http://bigtentpoetry.org/2011/03/come-one-come-all-march-18

Asks us to consider being in a rut.

STUCK IN A RUT.

What is 'stuck in a rut' for some people,

For others is 'cosy and snug'.

Not everyone wants to be flying;

Some are happily under the rug.

Contentment is not to be sneezed at;

Some folk have already 'arrived';

They treasure their placid surroundings

And feel that they've more-than survived.

*

We needed the never-contented,

The people who kept wanting more,

Who got itchy feet in their homeland

And yearned for a faraway shore.

For these, the said 'rut' spelled disaster,

They were constantly itching to fly,

To create something new, to be famous;

To be 'in a rut' was to die.

Discontent has spurred mankind to progress;

Discontent brought us out of the caves;

Discontent made us reach for the heavens

And set out over billowing waves.

*

But hold on! Have they brought us too far now;

Have we gone just as far as we should?

Is the search for the bigger, the faster, the best,

Entirely a move for the good?

Maybe now is the time for the slackers,

The people who say 'It'll do'

To say 'Far enough! Let's relax now

And see what contentment can do.

Maybe now is the time to be happy

Without much, and stuck in a rut.'

For they, in the end, may be needed

To stop the whole world going 'Phut!'

*

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COUNT THE TIMES

(To be sung to the old tune 'Count Your Blessings')

Count the times you say 'Hello!'

To someone new in every place you go.

It is really not too hard to do

It is something nice that far too few do.

Count the smiles that you bestow

On someone new who's looking rather low,

And when you leave you'll look behind and see

What magic's wrought by such a pleasantry.

*

Count the times you smile and say

Some simple words like 'Have a lovely day!'

If sincerity is in your eyes

You will find that's where a friendly high lies.

Count the times you give a grin,

No matter what the state your heart is in

And when you go to bed at close of day

You'll feel rewarded for your give-away.

*