Quintessence

"Wealth is the ability to fully experience life." - Thoreau

From penthouse to park bench.

I know what it is to have much and

to have little.

I prefer the latter.

I know what its like to have life and

to stare death in the face.

I know how it is to dance with God and

to sit and play cards with the Devil.

I've witnessed the birds chirping an almighty anthem and trees standing at attention, out of respect, as a new day dawns.

I've seen the sun disappear under the horizon as it rests from its heavenly duties in the hemisphere.

I've watched the moon punch its time-card in the night sky as it begins its round as sentry.

I've heard whispers become shouts and cries turn to screams.

I know how it feels to sleep on a four post bed in a big house and

on the frozen ground under a tree in a churchyard

at Christmas with a cornucopia stuffed into my heart and backpack.

I've cried a river of tears that ran dry.

I've received endless mercy from the loving hand of the creator.

As long as I have

faith,

freedom,

friendship,

peace,

love,

compassion,

a song in my heart,

a spring in my step,

the sun on my face and

my soul is intact,

I am blessed because

when I am weak

I am strong and

when I am poor ...

... I am rich ...

Author's Note

"The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it." - Thoreau

Reviews

[steppenwolf]

Gorgeous--I get the feeling that you really have gone the whole way around in terms of human experience. The fact that you prefer the "poor side of town" dove-tails with your love of Thoreau. I wrote a short story called "Cultivate Poverty Like A Garden Herb." If you're interested you can read it sometime but this is about you. What a talent you have!! I get the impression that you are not young in years to have gone through all of this but maybe I'm wrong. Sensual--thrilling--believe it or not but upon reading this lovely piece of writing I have tears in my eyes. Thank you Pete.

[Pete]

thank you. Thoreau and I are cut from the same cloth (have spent many a day at Walden). will surely read your story. i have experienced quite a bit in my years - couldn't have made it this far without my faith. such writing could only touch the the heart of a loving, caring soul. you are most welcome ... :)

"For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalms 30:5 KJV

[barleygirl]

Overall, I love this message becuz it expresses my most enduring & endearing lesson lately. It's a refreshing contrast to the clawing clamoring of materialistic maniacs that seem to have turned everything in life into a competition for the best branding of oneself. Thank you for sharing the basic sensibilities of living. I particularly enjoy the way you weave contrasting lines in the first half of this. Then the second half seems so direct & simplified, by comparison (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

we don't see commercials for it on T.V. because no one can profit from those things. we can't put a price on peace of mind and true contentment. thank you Margie for understanding ... :)

[sette]

yes because i believe that we create our own destiny, a nice piece of writing

[Pete]

the truly valuable things of life cannot be taken from us. thank you sette ... :)

[sette]

that is so true

[Kelly Scheppers]

You are a man rich in the gift of words as well, Pete! Love the impact of this and feeling of self worth.

[Pete]

dearest Kelly, "No man is a failure who has friends." - It's a Wonderful Life

thank you.