Love is a Fleeting Thing...

Happiness is a Trojan Horse

That invades your surly gates,

It only comes at the best of times

And at other times, it waits,

You know that it’s somehow out there

But you search for it in vain,

The few that seem to possess it

Know that it always ends in pain.

 

There’s ever the swing of the pendulum

There’s happy, and then there’s sad,

A swing will bring with it sorrow

And another swing brings glad,

For life is a roller coaster

Sometimes up and sometimes down,

And everyone who’s around you

Bears a smile, or wears a frown.

 

Money won’t buy you happiness

According to the rich,

But they’ve never had to miss a meal

Or sleep in a freezing ditch,

Happiness means so many things

To the people, just like you,

A job, a child that comes back home

Or a bill paid, when it’s due.

 

We’d like to think that our happiness

Is directed from above,

Euphoria, as a heart will burst

At the thought of a new found love,

But time and tide will take us to

What love that sours will bring,

Too often, many have heard it said

That love is a fleeting thing…

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[cynthiabuhainbaello]

Brilliant and excellent, exquisitely cutting and direct - love that strength. I have always enjoyed reading your work and when I read pieces like this one, I am simply awed by your life philosophies, how it is so much like my views of life. The lines have so much depth to ponder upon and so much truth in them to leave them unheeded.

[Michael G. Smith]

Always great words. I agree it all comes back to Christ; the light, the truth. It took a long ride on that roller coaster but the wait was worth it when I got off at true happiness.

[Ravyne Hawke]

You've written so many truths here, David.. so much of life is a fickle mistress.. love, happiness, joy, sorrow. These things are handled so beautifully in this poem. You are, as always, a master of the pen.

[Blue Ivory]

It really is! And the things you've written here are things I have been thinking lately so I could relate to it.

[TL Boehm]

It is indeed. Money won’t buy you happiness
According to the rich,
But they’ve never had to miss a meal
Or sleep in a freezing ditch,

Really appreciated that part right there. If I had the appropriate amount of money to do what I wanted to do - there would be stresses that I would not have - and I would be able to focus on other things - that's what I've always thought. Survival mode makes one weary .

[Tate Morgan]

A philosophical meandering of the mind. While your works are magnificent. The Pieces of yours that delve into reality are sublime

[Lena M. P.]

So true David and it came at a time that it means so much to me. Love, laughter, life can all be fickle fates when they want to be. It's a toss of the coin at times. This poem brings out the good, the bad and the ugly but it also brings out the truth.

[Mark]

Been a long while since I've read one of yours that was not a poetic retelling of an historic event, David...And of course, need I say neither they nor this disappoint! I have learned so much of history, particularly from the point-of-view of the downtrodden, of which I was previously unaware, but here, I learn of aspects of one of my all-time-favorite authors, hitherto unknown. A real treat, Dave. Thank you.

[Fréyjä Helv..]

This had inspired me in so many ways. This is very true that love is fleeting, it always has a price. I've just been out of a bad break up and finally letting go I realized a greater thing about happiness. Great write as always sir David...

[A Soap Mess Stories]

A different kind of poem than your usual. Loved it. :-)