Chances Took

When days were young and carefree,
he was young, took chances, too...
anything at all girls wanted,
that’s the thing that he would do.

Mattered not what consequence
resulted from the act,
there was not a chance in hell
that he could take it back.

Many came, the chances took,
sadder, his heart would break,
“Oh, that’s the way of life!” they'd say.
“Don’t pout, for goodness sake!”

Despite his cost, their needs fulfilled,
what all he gave they’d all embrace.
Footloose was life and fancy free,
but love he never could replace.

Someone, once, had said to him,
“Venture naught, and naught you'll gain!”
But, every chance he took for love
wrought him naught but deeper pain.

Each chance he took, colder his heart
until the day would come,
that he’d look back in recompense
to rue his chance-took sum.

You see, his craving heart had starved
from childhood to a man,
that life had so deprived of love
before his life began...

can now recall each time it was
that he’d gave all he could,
that taught him in the end of it,
some chances are no good.

So, choose well your chances
and value who you are,
for who you hold and holds you back
says much of you, by far.

Please, judge him not, he’ll not judge you...
well he knows, your chances took;
for, love’s now took a chance on him,
and he's since ~ been off the hook.

    Rascal Jones
    ©1 Oct 2011
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Breidenthal Avatar
March 19, 2012 at 5:54 PM
Welcome to poetrysoup. Stanza 5 was my favorite part --and overall, WOW, this was brilliant. keep up the excellent work!!! Always, Laura
Jones Avatar
March 23, 2012 at 10:14 AM
Gee, Laura, I'm sorry, Dear...I did not realize I'd not yet responded to your beautiful greeting and praising review for this self-revealing offering. Stanza-5 (with its catchy phrasing) is now my fav, too...smile! How it does so very much please me that you find favor in this one. Warmest hugs 'n blessings to you! Rascal
Lane Avatar
October 5, 2011 at 8:01 AM
Rascal, welcome. And thanks for your comments on "Singin' in the Rain." Trust me, I will never write another Haiku but I couldn't resist using the title, "Haiku Musical." Enjoyed your poem. Tony
Jones Avatar
March 23, 2012 at 10:09 AM
Thank you for the warm welcome, Tony, and for your nice compliment, my new friend. Please, do not allow my critique to discourage your Haiku or Senryu writing in any way...I know you'd be an excellent poet in any form you choose to compose in. Poetry is a learning process, and though I've written for over 61-years now, I'm still learning. Thanks again, Tony! Rascal
A   Avatar
October 1, 2011 at 9:26 AM
wow! I came back to read another poem of yours here on the soup.. and i see you only have one,,, welcome to the soup if you are a new poet,, take care,..LINDA
Jones Avatar
October 1, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Aw! I'm sorry, Linda...I didn't know. I was writing another one for you, and it's posted now, M'Dear. Thank you for another visit, and for the warming welcome...smile! Rascal
A   Avatar
October 1, 2011 at 8:28 AM
Rascal, what a wonderful way to enjoy the morning,,, chances ,, and results,, thank you for sharing,..p.d.
Jones Avatar
October 1, 2011 at 8:42 AM
Hiya, PD! Many thanks for the read and praise. Life and learning are a lot about taking chances and reaping results, eh? Rascal
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