A Man Who Failed To Live Poem by Adams Elizabeth Oyarese

I have lived life like a trader with many a crate of eggs
Treading carefully to avoid the judging eyes of men
A freedom from condemnation have i consciously begged
Refraining from adventures since i was nine or ten

I have counted my steps and watched for stones
I have taken no decision that was unpredictable
Here i sit with grey hair and weakened bones
Having no wild memories upon my own life's table

I was a slave bought by fear and sold to ordinariness
I was an oaf who existed but failed woefully to live
Like a man of no ambition honored by tardiness
Lacking that experience and wisdom the aged should freely give

"Regret is a slow visitor" a wise man once said
Crawling sluggishly with man to remind man of time
When man is but compelled to lay upon life's bed
He nods his head and wishes he could reverse the hands of time

Now here I am; a man bent over and humbled by age
With brown and scanty teeth and wrinkles in my eyes
Staring bitterly upon my very own empty page
No heroic deed, no risk, nothing to reminisce

The mirror smiles at me mocking my shameful reflection
For I have lived life as a coward too afraid to be judged
So, My son,experience a life that replicates satisfaction
Be brave enough to live and to a worthy course be pledged