A Rich Man

I don't vacation
in Babylon anymore.
The ticket prices soared
and the trip
almost killed me.
Years of
debauchery weren't
good for the soul.

The only gold I
want now is the
autumn leaves and
the buttery summer corn,
and the shimmer on the
lake at sunset.

I'm getting older and
my heart is stronger.
It beats like a
childs, seeing
green for the first
time.

Author's Note

Check out my you tube channel where I read my poetry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cONQtjbeEo8

Reviews

[Marie]

Flights get more expensive with each passing season and as you so poetically say, as we get older our bodies are able to tolerate less and you have found your paradise in your own back yard. Your own little piece of heaven on earth, where the sun shines warmly and brightly. How wonderful that you have rediscovered the beauty of Mother Nature and that your inner child is filled with delight. Relax and enjoy the beautiful blessings which surround you. Lovely charming write, Thomas. A delight to read and thank you for sharing...

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you so much, Marie. I appreciate you.

[Marie]

Most welcome always, Thomas...

[Soren]

Aging has its good and bad points but regardless it is inevitable. A well written piece

[Thomas W Case]

Thanks for stopping by.

[Betty Hermelee]

The good old backyard, green as it can be, is enticing to us after years of traveling all over the world. prices are rising and sometimes travel is tiring... so green, becomes even more attractive than Babylon, relax and enjoy the your own back yard or a local park....
Warmly, B

[Thomas W Case]

Exactly. Thanks, Betty.

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Thomas.
Warmly, B

[John Sullivan]

Speakin' the truth, Tom. Nicely done

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you so much, John.

[John Sullivan]

Anytime Tom. Diggin' your stuff lately

[Thomas W Case]

Thanks, much appreciated.

[Arundass TP]

The last stanza is very powerful friend. Opens the door of reality at last great poem

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

[Sapphus]

Good one Thomas. I think we see the grass finally and which is a good thing really.

[Thomas W Case]

Much appreciated. Thank you.

[red93]

Nice Work Thomas and an interesting take on wealth and the wealthy. Let's hope Bill Gates is reading it ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you so much.

[keith]

the goodest comes from searching rather than finding
searching is the education ... finding is the reward!

many pull out paper and pen without introducing one to the other ...
pen meet paper, paper hold on tight it's gonna be a one of a kind ride
and you sir have a season ticket!

[.]

This speaks to me of a life hard lived, one where strong risks were taken to the brink of demise, where lessons have been learned and a path forged with wisdom towards a healthier lifestyle. The bright lights seduce many and many of those fail to survive the allure.

As they say, with age comes wisdom and the need to slow down and seek out the good things that life has to offer. If we survive enough car crashes we find ourselves feeling blessed for having survived and our senses become attuned to the more simple and peaceful things around us. And so it seems with you.

The young and the reckless can have their moments under the neon lights. For others, real Elysian Fields are the order of the day.

An excellent viewpoint expressed, Thomas. Change, at its best, can be divine for the soul.

[Thomas W Case]

You nailed it here. When I knew better, I did better, and the search was long and dark. Thank you.

[Ayvid N]

Thomas, you deliver such a punch here. You have a way with words and your poetry just leaves me wanting for more. Indeed, all that shimmers is not truly gold and the purer joys become more precious with time. This is such a great poem on how we change with the years.

At the end, its upto us to choose a barren, unproductive, ditzy-glitzy playing field or a sober, productive and more thoughtful one.....

Just Fantastic!

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you so much. I agree totally. I appreciate you.