Threshold Poem by Daniel Trevelyn Joseph

There is nothing, no product or act,
Which declines not in satisfaction
With every repetition.

The economist might label it at once
And call it by the name since he prepared
For his examination.

How much has
The law or theory of diminishing returns
Been applied to daily and intimate
Situations, not patently ‘economical’?
At least my school or parents didn’t tell me.

How is virgin boy to know when he is
In love, and aching to get close, and kiss
Or hold her around the waist,
That once he achieves his ambitions,
He will most probably seek ways to distance
Himself, and either realize the truth,
Or look for another product or act,
Not realizing.

As the Preacher has said,
There is nothing new under the Sun,
Nor does anything give joy always.

Shunyata for oneself and karuna
For others are – the very best here,
And if it is there, for hereafter.

I am therefore not preaching
Against the product or act,
I am telling but the truth
Of what follows inevitably.

We must live like everyone,
And yet derive the best
We can out of life, I say.