The Failure

Just a little homily about ensuring that you live a full life so that you have no regrets when it is your turn to go!

Time stands still.

Where's the thrill?

I'll just take a pill,

Then make out my will.

Where did it go?

I went with the flow,

I just didn't know

Who was running the show.

When it all went wrong,

I sang a sad song,

But I still went along,

Didn't try to be strong.

Now the bill has come due.

There is much to be rued.

My heart should have stayed true,

But my mood was too blue.

Now the piper must be paid.

The right decision has been made,

My soul is taken in trade,

The Devil's plans have been laid.

As I moulder in my grave,

Much too late to be saved,

I'll wish I'd been more depraved,

And much less well-behaved!

© 2018 The Iron Horseman

Author's Note

This poem was inspired by a book from author Kingsley Amis called 'Ending up'. The satirical humor was so clever and so bitter that it left a lasting impression. Nobody wants to end up like that!

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

oh you fooled me in your closing ...for sure .. i thought it was going to be all about missed opportunities to be strong ...upright ... and blessed ...i don't know what pill he took...but if he ends ruing the lack of free impulsive behavior .. it wasn't LSD ;} ...hmmmmm maybe it was arsenic ... seems this guy lost out on all sides of the equation :( poor ol' soul ;)
E.

[The Iron Horseman]

Lol! But it was supposed to make you laugh as well, my friend. Did it?

[Einstein Noodle]

V1 makes me smile but rather deep truisms after made me more serious .. i read it again and can see the humor you wrote into it ... i just didn't carry it through to the end .. a pact with the Devil is too scary real to me ;}

[The Iron Horseman]

Hey, Noodleman! I only got the first part of your comment. It was followed by a 'read more' link, but when I click on it nothing happens. Can you please send again?

[Einstein Noodle]

V1 makes me smile but rather deep truisms after made me more serious .. i read it again and can see the humor you wrote into it ... i just didn't carry it through to the end .. a pact with the Devil is too scary real to me ;}

[The Iron Horseman]

I know what you mean! But I know I'm not going to Hell - the Devil is scared I'll take over! :)

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ..................

[Namyh]

Iron Horseman - Live long enough and one can count one's failures and successes all the way up to the grave. We tend to live with too many regrets anyway which hold us back. It's more fun to envision what can be and go after that than to settle for what just is in your life and remain inert. Death is an inevitability we can't change but life is one you can. I say make a choice long before the "mouldering". Enjoyed your work IH. Namyh

[The Iron Horseman]

Hello again, Namyh. Thank you for your kind words and insights. This was just a generalized observation about a certain type of person who seems to miss out on their own life because they are afraid of the risks inherent in living a full life. And of course, my warped sense of humor got the better of me again in the ending. I just like making people smile! :)

[BBP]

My kind of poem! The devil's plans, sad songs, rebellion wishes from the grave! Excellent. I loved the way it all flowed added a real life voice to it!

[The Iron Horseman]

Thanks again, my friend. The twist in the tail is kinda the point! I've always fancied crawling back out of my grave to have a word with a few people!

[BBP]

Wouldn't that be great! It'd be almost just as satisfying to do that to a few people if you win the lotto too! lol

[The Iron Horseman]

Lol! >>>>>>>>>>

[Chris Shaw]

I enjoyed this little poem. So much truth in its lines. We have one life, we don't know how long it will last, make it count and when you die, do so without having any regrets. Great message in your well conveyed lines.

Chris

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you, Chris. I always enjoy your reviews. I hope the last two lines made you smile.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, your last two lines did have me smiling :)

[Ghost writer]

I love this poem, the rhymes are classic, and the message is great, I will for sure save this to read again later

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you, WF. I'm glad you liked it. But did the last verse make you smile? That was my intention. It was supposed to be both thought provoking and satirical.

[Ghost writer]

there were a few parts that made me smile

[The Iron Horseman]

Good! We all need smiles.

[Onlyme]

Witty, interesting and had great flowing rhythmical words held within. This clever little number of a good craft poem. To tease and please and command our attention from start till end.

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you, Dawn. It's good to hear from you again. Hope you had a good Christmas and New Year.

[Onlyme]

Hi sweetheart, last year terrible year, fingers crossed touch wood etc better one in general for all. Hope your doing good?

[The Iron Horseman]

Sorry to hear that. Wish you well this year!
Yes, I'm fine thank you.

[Adam W Redmon]

A nice little sad piece that flows surprisingly energetically. I enjoyed it much :)

[The Iron Horseman]

Thank you, Adam. Glad you liked it.