Realism

Glass half empty.
Glass half full.
It's just a glass of water,
Why get so confused?

Can't you look at things from both sides?
Can't you see good and bad?
Why do you pick a side,
When there are two to everything?

You can't just see the good
while ignoring all the bad.
You can't just be all gloomy,
when happiness sits right there.

See, that's where reality comes in,
setting the record straight.
It looks at everything from both sides;
both the love and the hate.

So yes, I am a realist.
I see the spectrum both ways.
Sometimes, life is a field of flowers,
other times a can of worms.

But it's always a box of chocolates;
ya never know what you're gonna get.
So let realism take hold,
and see things for what they are.

Reviews

[richom]

This is probably my favorite of all your poems I've read. It is brimming with wisdom. You recognize a truth here that many people never learn their entire lives. Almost everything has two legitimate points of view.
Washington is a perfect example of what you say here. The two parties are equally guilty of refusing to acknowledge the other side's position. The result is the hardheaded stalemate that has now gone on for years. I hope you will remain broadminded throughout your life. It will take you far. Richard

[Will]

I think being on the debate team helped me develop this world view, as we have to be prepared to argue for either side. Thank you for the kind words, Rich.

[MOON]

Lovely , true why should it be one or the other, often a mix of the two . Some days good some days bad being realistic best!

[Rita L. Sev]

This is an excellent point, Will - a realist sees what IS, good, bad, indifferent - and makes it work. There is a saying that goes something like this: Both the optimist and the pessimist are necessary; the optimist invented the airplane, the pessimist invented the parachute. I think your piece shows the value of looking at all possibilities!

[Will]

Thank you, Rita. My friend was telling me how I'm always such a pessimist, and my reply was "No, I am a realist. There's a difference." Thus this poem was born. Thanks for reading and reviewing as always :)