Sands of Time

Winner of the Bronze medal in the NY Literary magazine https://nyliterarymagazine.com/contests-for-poets-and-writers/winners-of-the-ny-literary-magazines-august-2016-poetry-contest/

We meet many men of sorrow

so much deeper than our own pain

Wisdom and strength they all borrow

washed by waters of life's own rain

Each of us ponders life's reason

looking deep within our own soul

We follow each path and season

that vainly we seek to control

The sands they burn up like cinder

that has trickled our fingers through

Each hope, our time does now hinder

what wasn't, we find is now true

Chase not the rung of the ladder

that will place you above the rest

When alone what will it matter

if a loveless life, you attest

So small the pain of his distress

whose earnings don't tell of his worth

An honest man, this life will bless

no matter his fortunes at birth

 

Author's Note

I meant this to be an endearing piece to honor the struggles of life. It has been an observation of my own life that the men I valued most seemed to own the least. This is so true that I cannot deny it. I imagine it was true life struggles that gave to them their great nature. I simply wish to shine the light upon our own misguided ways. The worship of the almighty dollar has never tucked a child into bed. Nor held the hand of a grieving woman. Money cannot buy love. Nor can it manufacture it. The reason the son of a rich man can wreck a 50,000 dollar car and think nothing of it is simple. To him that is what his father was willing to pay to placate the son. In the mind of the child the car is what the father is giving him to replace the time he doesn't have for him. So since the child's life is not important to the father neither is the car valued by the son.

Reviews

[AprilRN1210]

I love the messages in this piece... Life isn't about how much money you make, how many things you achieve, it is about the relationships you have made, the lives you have touched.... We struggle through life, searching for meaning, for answers, for worth, yet never realize that it is in that struggle an the lives we touch that shows our worth... it is priceless, and should treasured.. take the time to share and learn the wisdom with others, cherish loved ones, and enjoy the simple things.. The sands of time will pass you by in a heartbeat if you do not take advantage of those hidden opportunities to learn, grow, appreciate life and pass this precious gift on to others... As always I love your work.. this is one of my favorites..

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Time is our most prized possession as it cannot be replaced and runs out like an hour glass.As I tell my son "Tate the value of a man is not held by what he owns but lies in what he gives to others."

[AprilRN1210]

exactly.. couldn't agree more:)
you're more than welcome.. always enjoy your work..

[Penlady]

I answer ABSOLUTELY!!

[the_stoic]

Chase not the rung of the ladder
that will place you above the rest
When alone what will it matter
if a loveless life, you attest ..

This so aptly describes the emptiness that engulfs the life of so many these days .. powerful words .

[cecil]

so very very true and your words are heartfelt,, those that never suffer a little will never know the true meaning of giving or living,, they just keep taking,,suffering has many different ways to express itself,,many feel their job in life is just go to work and collect pay,,, and not give or grow,,,if you are not giving in all aspects of your life you are not living at all,,,just existing and many that have so much,, that is all they do just exist....Beatifully pened with such wisdom and deep feelings

[Sunflower/Sara Kendrick]

I really enjoyed the picture..The poverty that some people have experienced and keep going is always an amazment to me..Enjoyed reading your work but am not familar with the song..Sunflower

[Joe Palmer]

this is deep and beautiful, and perfectly complements the song

[JB Murray]

It really doesn't matter how good this piece is... the last couple of lines are brilliant and well said! (not that the rest of the poem is lacking, it isn't) Those last few lines speak a lifetime of truth.

[Valentine]

Me too..valentine

[The Analog Kid]

This one's flow is excellent. Very touching and full of wisdom.

[angelina]

nothing much i can add or comment on without repeating your words or anyone else's but this by far tells us of man and his two main paths. i like it alot!!
angelina