Life after accountancy

I dined on wine and lettuce leaves

and all the surfeit money brings.

I swam with sharks and ate them up,

Oh, how I filled my selfish cup;

And every corner that I trod

some little trinket I partook;

Oft times for sport, (though most

for gain) and never let the rumour

start that I was empty in my heart.

But sinners turn, or so they say,

from hunter to suppliant prey;

and thus on Sundays I aspire

to cast away all of desire;

Give back with equal amplitude,

and trust a prayer may just suffice,

(though quietly I say amen twice)

You know, a kind of just in case

before I leave this lovely place.

Reviews

[R J Askew]

Of course I had to read this one to the bottom line. Love the whimsy of the title. And also the uppettyness of verse 1. The moral shift in verse 2 is the most important bit though, with the back firmly turned on more youthful ambition, indulgence, success etc and the focus shifting to a moral sort of accounting where money and numbers do not feature. The first verse serves to accentuate the second perfectly - with a flawless gear change.

[Isabel25]

Isn't this what we all do? Try to survive whichever way we can and then wash everything off before God, hoping that he would understand and let us continue the way we are. This poem brings to light so many realities and connects with the lives of many. Love the wordplay in this.

[Lydia Shutter]

Your poem made me smile. The rhyming was spectacular! The attitude is cute. Going to pray on a Sunday after sinning during the week and saying "Amen" twice, just in case there is someone up there watching....delightful. I enjoyed this so much. Lydi**

[J. K. Beach]

Beccy, This is lovely piece, witty and wise! I love the rhyme scheme which is strong, but not too perfect. As to meaning, you couldn't be more right... material gain never moves us one step closer to God (usually away from him, in truth.) I agree with your "just in case." amen. I can't hurt, now can it? I enjoyed this one... great job!

[Neville]

Aw gawd Beccy, what can a bloke say? You seem to have crafted something very special here, fantastic stringing together of words and if I might say so, you have again demonstrated subtle but otherwise incredible wit.....Amen

[Melinda McQueen]

Only God can make us happy and fill our cups.
Nice write.

[Jimmy Yetts]

Living as if we had to answer for our thoughts and deeds, makes better human beings--and more harmonious Earthly life.
Double amen to your smart, perceptive and softly reverent poem, Beccy!