Notes About The Poem

A river does not ask the duck how to flow, nor does the duck ask the river where to go.” —Zen Proverb

-----
A Sam Scott poem:
5th April 2025
-----

Listen to poem:

Lemons and Life

Of all the songs
You seem to be
The tuneless one,
Less subtlety.

God's orchestra
Has dealt a hand—
More toneless rasp
Than golden strand.

I wonder if
You long to be
A star
In morning's reverie.

Do tears well up?
Perhaps that's why
You paddle more
Than flit and fly.

And yet…
I see you
Standing proud—
Such confidence
In every crowd.

You waddle round,
For pictures pose—
Such character
Without a nose.

You dress with style,
All brown and green.
There's pride in how
You peck and preen.

You're grounded,
Yet you float and glide.
No treetop nest—
You strut with pride.

So maybe I
Prejudged your tone—
Less violin,
More slide trombone.

In that, the panoply
Of life
Requires such confidence
Amid the strife.

To show us humans
Not to compare—
Just be yourselves,
Be fair and square.

And when life gives you
Orange sauce,
Puff out your chest…
Just stay on course.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Rose  Avatar
April 5, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Puff out your chest… Just stay on course. It sounds like great advice dear poet !
Scott Avatar
April 6, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Thank you dear Rose, lovely to hear from you! Blessings S:) x
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace