An Optimist and Pessimist

An optimist and pessimist were sitting in the park,
Their outlooks as divergent as the light is to the dark.
“I think this will be over soon,” the optimist declared.
The pessimist just looked at her as if she were impaired.

“Our lives will never ever be the ones we used to lead,”
The pessimist asserted, but her buddy disagreed.
“You’ll see, before you know it, all will be just like before,”
The optimist responded, a believer to the core.

Their argument continued, each convinced that she was right,
Not seeing any grays at all between the black and white.
Yet time will tell whose thoughts pan out, for now the world’s a mess
And I don’t see it going back. (My side? Well, take a guess!)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Johnson Avatar
July 18, 2020 at 8:25 PM
It sounds as if you're on the fence. Which side of things that make more sense. While history tells us of it's tale. Repeating isn't a guaranteed sale. But hope we must, that our live's return. To fill our hearts to that life we yearn. Oh, :) and a very poignant clever poem here ilene. <3 :)
Mcleod Avatar
July 17, 2020 at 4:09 PM
Love it Ilene! Funny and great writing! A Winner! Trevor
Rigoler Avatar
July 17, 2020 at 3:31 PM
At my age it doesn't matter how the future turns out, I won't be here to make a determination, though to hazard a guess it may be optimistic – at least temporarily until another disaster hits the planet. Who knows? Well said. / M
Mcconnell Avatar
July 17, 2020 at 2:28 PM
A rather fine write ilene, lovely rhyme and flow. A great enjoyable read. Blessings always,Gordon
Leffanta Avatar
July 17, 2020 at 1:51 PM
BRILLIANT! Aloha! Rico
Watt Avatar
July 17, 2020 at 12:29 PM
Ilene, you've captured so well the human spectrum of how we perceive the future will play out. In that psychological sense, I find it very intriguing and am saving it in my faves. We'll done! ~ John
Cunningham Avatar
July 17, 2020 at 3:02 AM
This cloud will hang over us for a long time Ilene, people are will now be very cautious what they do. Tom
Hinshaw Avatar
July 16, 2020 at 6:43 PM
Very well stated, Ilene! I have a similar poem titled Beauty where an optimist and pessimist trade barbs that you might be interested in viewing. Bob
Blown Avatar
July 16, 2020 at 5:24 PM
...very very nicely said....lol....we perceive effects...not causes....stan sand
Pigeon Tart Avatar
July 16, 2020 at 5:19 PM
Tee hee ;), ...I am optimistic that we’ll have a new and better normal, but I realize I’m not down there ~x
Allison Avatar
July 16, 2020 at 4:29 PM
I err on the side of the pessimist Ilene I don't see how life can ever be back to how it used to be - even if changes are only subtle... but i for one am reluctant to travel even though we can with permission from our government .. to me there is no place like home. my son will stay with us for the foreseeable future - that change i love!!:-) hugs jan xx
Wolf Avatar
July 16, 2020 at 3:27 PM
Somehow, the middle path will find a way. You'll see. Just give it time, and each side will tilt toward the middle. Nice write, ilene! :) gw
Logan Avatar
July 16, 2020 at 3:02 PM
I am fearful I must agree with the pessimistic point of view, at least for now. A wonderful write, Ilene.
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