Life as She Knew It

Guess she really didn't know

“I hate this world we live in!”

An old friend said to me,

“I hate my job, I hate my house,

I hate this brand of tea!”

 

“I can’t stand my neighbors,

or the chores I have to do,

I hate all of the TV shows,

I hate my husband, too!”

 

I went home that evening

And pondered what she’d said;

Try as I might to understand,

Loving thoughts filled my head

 

All that week I lived my life ~

Saw neighbors, did chores, drank tea,

Spent time with my dear husband,

And worked diligently

 

She called me up on Saturday

In a somber state of mind

Asking why there’s so much stress

In a world that’s so unkind.

 

I told her if she didn’t know,

I certainly couldn’t explain ~

Whatever you put out into the world,

You will get back the same

Author's Note

Had a friend who complained about everything, and then asked me why she was miserable all the time. It was an exhausting relationship.

Reviews

[Aubrai]

Maybe, life isn't as kind to them as it is to us. I always thought people should always love life even when it's giving its worst to them. But when, at some point, something really bad happened to me in the past, I told myself "I'm having a slice." And it's true, complaining all the time sucks. Can't find a euphemism for that word. Thanks for sharing this!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you for your insights here, Aubrai!

[richom]

It is exasperating to be with those who have this attitude towards life. Inevitably people will avoid them, worsening the situation. If only they could see this.
Very well-written, as usual. One line, though ("And worked diligently"), has the correct number of syllables, but doesn't have the same cadence as the others.
I'm slowly reading all of your back poems and enjoying them immensely.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Rich. Yes, I wish she could see this...
You are right about "diligently" - I was so concerned about the rhyme that I didn't heed the cadence. I will think on this...

Take your time reading - hope you keep enjoying! :)

[Marie]

This is very true, and I have two friends who are like this.

[Rita L. Sev]

I feel sad for them, but you really can't explain it to them. Thanks.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i was going to say..i wondered how long you could stay friends with her.

some people just always have to have drama and uncomfortableness in their lives.

i do feel sorry for people who can not be happy, no matter what.

jacob

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Jacob. I do feel sorry for her; I had to cut down my time with her - and she with me. It annoyed her that I was not commiserating with her misery.

[Frieda P]

This one has your name stamped on it RITA was here! Ha...I could tell your writes from a mile away...great message in this, although it doesn't always work out that way.

[Rita L. Sev]

No, I guess not - but most of the really miserable people I have known complained about everything, whether it was something really worth bitching about or not. Thanks, Frieda - should I worry that I'm being "typed"? :)

[Frieda P]

I know what you mean, there are certain things that can be changed, like tea for instance ;-) Ha...nah, I think your style is unique, I'm just familiar with it...hey, can't you tell when you're reading Poe or Sylvia Plath?

[Rita L. Sev]

True - and I am glad you know my work, as I am very glad to know yours!

[Angi]

I have one of those friends. It is exhausting. I love how you make art of of the simple things, Rita. My kind of stuff! Angi~

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Angi! Simple things are already art - I just make 'em rhyme! ;)

[Angel]

Or, as a famous Rock'n'Roll band once put it:
The love you take is equal to the love you make...

yeah, yeah, yeah!!!!

I really love this poem, Rita! It's a bouncy little piece, you'd never suspect there is such profound truth hidden in these lines. You made me smile.
Clever write, beautifully done!!
Thank you for sharing this one with us!!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Angel! That great band was right! :)

[FJ Davis]

A smartly styled bit of work, Rita--excellent and instructive!
The piss-'n-moaners really take it out of you, don't they?

[Rita L. Sev]

Yes, Frank, they sure do! Thank you for the read and review!

[Dhaye]

Nice...
"Whatever you put out into the world,
You will get back the same"---Karma, isn't it? We reap what we sow.

Good job, Rita. I hope this will be a reminder to everyone that whatever we give into others, that's what we are going to receive, too. Something relevant with the Golden Rule of Confucious "Do unto others what you want others do unto you."

[Rita L. Sev]

Absolutely. Thank you so much, Dhaye!

[Dhaye]

You're welcome, Rita.

[Arrinae]

I love the story your poem tells

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you! I appreciate your review!