Empty Endeavour Poem by Jonathan ROBIN

The era of pleasure is over for ever,
prosperity palls, almost always appals.
When seeking some sanity see we should sever
last links with societal sirens that call
after all with false laughter, considering never
that Man's self-delusion to dust often falls,
as dispassionate Death's thrall not even keen, clever,
can ever avert, all are measured withal.
vain attempts to escape sleep prove empty endeavour
for sooner or later all weep in Time's shawl...
9 October 1978 revised 27 September 2008 revised 11 March 2022

for previous versions see below
The era of pleasure is over for ever,
prosperity palls, seldom fails to appal.
When seeking some sanity see we should sever
last links with societal sirens that call
after all with fast laughter, considering never
that Man's many illusions to dust must soon fall,
as dispassionate Death's thrall not even keen, clever,
can ever avert, all are measured withal.
Vain attempts to escape fate prove empty endeavour
for sooner or later all sleep in Time's shawl.

9 October 1978 revised 27 September 2008
for previous version entitled Prosperity Palls see below

Prosperity Palls
The era of pleasure is over for ever,
prosperity palls where it does not appal.
When seeking some sanity see, we must sever
last links with Society 's sirens that call
after all with fast laughter, considering never
that Man's many illusions to dust must soon fall,
as dispassionate Death's thrall not even the clever
can ever avert, for he measures us all, -
and attempts to escape him are empty endeavour
for sooner or later all sleep in his shawl!
9 October 1978