Monday, February 1, 2010

What It Costs (Poem)




What It Costs

No thing in life
is just for
the asking.

Dead-heading
always follows the first
hard freeze.

Rivers
break banks
with too much rain.

Sparrows leave
empty nests
when owls fly.

Night-thoughts
I can't call dreams.

Still,
for Him

I'd pay
the price.

I'd take a ticket
to the greatest show
on earth

If I had
but a little
more time.

Copyright © 2010 Maureen E. Doallas.
All Rights Reserved.
_________________________

I wrote this poem for Carry On Tuesday Prompt #38, which requires only that we use in prose or poetry all or some part of Martin H. Fischer's quote "Life is a ticket to the greatest show on earth." Martin H. Fischer, 1879 - 1962, was a German-American physician, chemist, and writer. His quotes are easily found via Google.

Each week Carry on Tuesday posts a famous quote or the opening lines of a book or poem and invites participants to "carry on" where the quoted words leave off.  The lines quoted may be used at the start or end or within the body of the prose piece or poem.

For a list of others' contributions for Prompt #38, go here.

9 comments:

Kathleen Overby said...

'Night thoughts/I can't call dreams' - gulp.

Anonymous said...

too good

Larry said...

beautiful poem I liked it and loved reading you.look forward to reading you again.


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Laura said...

This is just so good, Maureen. I'm telling you, I'll line up to buy your poetry book.

sarah said...

very nice indeed.

Diane Walker said...

This is great, Maureen -- love the Rivers break banks line. Definitely got that Rumi feelin...

Louise Gallagher said...

ummm yes, That Rumi feeling indeed!

Beautiful. Thanks for soothing my soul for the night of dreams....

Glynn said...

And it is the greatest show on earth. Nice.

Rinkly Rimes said...

You echo the sentiments in my contribution.