Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Knowing What Matters

At the open mike on Saturday night (April 27) I recited one of my rhymes that apparently struck a chord with a couple of ladies visiting from the Lower Mainland. I promised I would post it for them but then became very busy with a variety of things but, though late, will have it on site.
I fully intend to video a recital of this and post it but it will have to wait until I can eliminate the background noise I'm presently contending with.




Knowing What Matters
By D.M. McGowan
© 2018

He rode an old McClellan that had seen better days
But he sat up there like a king who controlled all he surveyed
His mount a buckskin mare as pretty as you’ve seen
With legs meant for working and eyes bright and clean
Behind him trailed a mule, a fine example of the breed
A pack piled high with goods but no halter or a lead

I asked him where he’s headed and where he might have been
The reason for his travel and what he might have seen
“I’ve seen the greatest country that God ever made
Sometimes mountain vistas, sometimes a grassy plain.
I’ve seen family members who make me feel ashamed
And many fellow workers who lie their way to fame

I’ve seen herds of caribou clicking cross the plain
Massive Mountain Grizzlies, great horses wild and tame.
I’ve seen massive progress ended by greedy fools
Or by those who need control and impose silly rules
And others stopping growth by thinking with their heart
When simple logic tells ‘em the horse is behind the cart.

We all get our little chance but others need a turn
The younger need some room to grow to build to learn
When I’ve done my time, my life here is thru
I don’t want my final vision to be only gloom and fools.
I’ll be free of all that as will the mule and mare
We’ve trod the greatest land, together scenery shared

It all makes my former life shallow and pale
And now where I travel nothing is ever stale
I’ve had my days of wealth measured in dollars and cents
With days, weeks and years surrounded by wall and fence
But now I have much more, a far greater treasure
Surrounded by natures wonders, beauty that can’t be measured
  
Any measure of success may not be right for all
The test that has some rise up will make others fall
I hope the path I travel and the message that I preach
Will be heard and understood by people that I meet
No one has the right to say that my view is wrong
Nor do I have the right to condemn another’s song

But enjoy the journey and help your fellow man
Have a laugh and learn, and make a proper stand
For something you believe, give it a proper fight
And if you should lose and you know you might
Within your heart you’ll know you did your very best
And did what you thought right when put to the test.


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