The Scales (Or Lack Thereof) Poem by Mike Smith
The Scales (Or Lack Thereof)
We plan our lives as if somehow we've managed to trick ourselves into thinking we know what lies ahead
It seems we do at times
Things play out predictably
Our plan comes into fruition and we are awarded for our foresight
But all too often such is not the case
A curve or a bump in the road causes an adjustment
The adjustment leads to a change of course
The change of course requires a new plan
The new plan entails a new reality
It can be a world away from the original
Sometimes better
Sometimes worse
Those who take life as it comes accomplish little
They have no apparent end game
Those who dissect their future end up disappointed that their scheme fell through
Which is the lesser of the evils
One can hardly think long term if the short term is not in stone
One can hardly think in the short term and expect the long term to resemble the present at all
Where is the scale
How can we balance our concrete futures with our fluid presents
Do we simply let our lives play out however they will and accept whatever future we are dealt
Or do we proactively try to shape the future and brace for the failures that are likely to follow
The whole planning for the future thing never worked for me.. Every time I decided that I would do something or become something I screwed up big times.. Life is a pathetic thing at times, but then it is all we have.. I am with Kelly though, you show a great deal of maturity for your age.. I guess, I too do that, so I know how it feels to be 'older' than what the age is... Thanks Mike.
I never really knew 'what I want to be' when I grew up. The few things I did try to pursue did not pan out as I had planned. Maybe this was a gift. I work construction now and enjoy myself a great deal in doing it. I've been hearing this 'older than your age' things since I was still in grade school. I imagine you have too. It is a blessing sometimes, at others it can alienate you from your peers. Still I have no choice in it. This is how I think. Regardless of what that may mean, I can't change it
It is a difficult balance. At my age, the planning for the future has basically come to an end. (Hopefully prior 'planning' will smooth bumps) You cannot, and should not wager current happiness against a conceived future happiness, but a level of preparation, a foundation through acts and consistency is wise. One can never hope to imagine all, or even half the possible twists that life has in store, but even a little effort in that regard is worthwhile. Effects have causes, and those causes are your responsibility to think about. Sometimes I think you are much older than your years indicate. : -)
Well, funny thing about that, I can't recall my own birth. So maybe you're right, and everyone else has just been lying to me. At any rate, I think your response is pretty much on board with my way of thinking on it. It doesn't hurt to plan ahead, in fact it could help... But best laid plans of mice on men yadda yadda. Plan for the future and live for the present
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/19/2024 7:56:35 PM # 1.0.0.1119
A bump in the road can indeed knock us off-course... which is why I travel slowly and safely within deep, well-worn ruts. If that ^^ isn't a quote already, it should be. I admire your poem's overall competence and smooth progression. Your ending reminded me of the ending to Forrest Gump- -when he says- maybe it's a little of both.-
That is a great quote you should claim it before somebody else does. Although Forest Gump didn't play any role in the process of making the poem, it is one of my favorite films. Thanks for reading