One Life

There have been those who said,
what a privileged life you have.
People only see what they want to see,
jealousy is a terrible thing.
Jealousy makes you ugly shades of green,
as you are totally consumed.
Where were you when I cried all night long,
only to find an alligator tear soaked pillow in the morning.
Where were you when we were married on thirty-five dollars,
no car~home or jobs.
I had no breakfast,
on Friday I would split a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch.
People have been meaner than I can write,
their words and actions with much delight.
I learned from two ladies,
they both had very similar lives.
Both should have been filled,
with hate.
One was,
it ruined her life.
The other lady,
kept love~happiness all around.
Hurt is a troubling thing,
life is filled with all kinds of hurt.
Some hurt you can see,
some hurt you cannot see.
Hurt is still hurt,
it fills one with pain~tears.
As for the second lady,
I also believe in love~happiness all around.
I love to give smiles out,
did you know they are Free???
I say~never judge a person on what you see,
you may find an alligator tear soaked pillow in their bed just like me.
Date Written: 4/20/2022
6 Place
Anything You Want - New Poems Only Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Chantelle Anne Cooke
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Kaufman Avatar
July 3, 2024 at 12:27 PM
Excellent thoughts in this penning Paula. I totally agree with you, it's all in the individual's perspective and whether they want the pain to define them or can be resilient enough to move on to better times. Enjoyed this older poem of yours!
Goldsmith Avatar
July 4, 2024 at 9:06 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing. Glad you enjoyed this older poem of mine. People do Not always know all the facts. People only see what they want to see, jealousy is a terrible thing. Have a great/blessed day......................
Romios Avatar
January 28, 2023 at 6:54 PM
Congratulations, Paula, I can see why this won! Panagiota Xxoo
Goldsmith Avatar
January 29, 2023 at 3:46 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing. Glad you like my write. Have a great/blessed day......................
Labyrinth Avatar
August 4, 2022 at 4:06 PM
it's a terrible thing 'jealousy', it eats a person inside out and leads to bullying, and abuse, which as we know, can and has killed people's dreams, their lives as well. Well written Paula. I love this one, very much, its message leads and is one of strength and love for others, despite who they are and their circumstances.
Goldsmith Avatar
August 4, 2022 at 5:04 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing. Glad you love this write. Jealousy is a terrible thing and it can lead to many other not so nice things. I have never understood this. Have a great/blessed day......................
Lawrence Avatar
May 13, 2022 at 6:47 AM
Love this Paula . Wise words and so true ! You choose to live with love all around you and give out free smiles . I am the same . Have a blessed days! Congratulations on your win ! Susan :)
Goldsmith Avatar
May 13, 2022 at 11:58 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this win. Glad you love this "One Life" write. Have a great/blessed~day/weekend........................
John Avatar
May 9, 2022 at 2:42 AM
Jealousy can, indeed, be terrible. Hurt indeed troubling. Like this poem. An eye-opener. Thank you, P.
Goldsmith Avatar
May 9, 2022 at 9:01 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing. It is an honor to have this win. Glad you like this write. Have a great/blessed day..............
Ray Choudhury Avatar
May 3, 2022 at 4:50 PM
Dear Paula, your two ending lines beautifully sum up all “I say~never judge a person on what you see, you may find an alligator tear soaked pillow in their bed just like me.” Congratulations on your win. Love ~ Mala
Goldsmith Avatar
May 4, 2022 at 8:43 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this win. Glad you like it. We never know what others are going through. Have a great/blessed~~day..............
Meadows Avatar
April 28, 2022 at 12:01 AM
Very well written. Congratulations on your win.
Goldsmith Avatar
April 29, 2022 at 12:06 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this win with my "One Life" write. Glad you like it. Have a great/blessed~~day..............
George Avatar
April 26, 2022 at 10:25 PM
Back to your poem with Congratulations on your meritorious win !
Goldsmith Avatar
April 27, 2022 at 1:44 PM
Great to see you back. Again, Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this win with my "One Life" write. Have a great/blessed~~day..............
Proxenos Avatar
April 25, 2022 at 9:43 AM
A well written creative chapter of life a smile is free, a happy word is free, helping an older person carry a packet is free, and all of it helps to make the world go around and seeing happy content faces doing something worthwhile instead of having something sarcastic or nasty to say, or or listen to or get involved in gossip. I enjoyed your poem Paula. Congrats on your win. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Goldsmith Avatar
April 25, 2022 at 10:06 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this win with my "One Life" write. Glad you enjoyed this one. Yes, smiles are free, so give them out. Make others happy. Have a great/blessed~~day/week..............
Poet Avatar
April 23, 2022 at 11:22 AM
Paula, you penned such a wonderful poem. Congratulations on your well-deserved win.
Goldsmith Avatar
April 25, 2022 at 9:18 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this win with my "One Life" write. Glad you like this write. Have a great/blessed~~day/week..............
Alex Avatar
April 23, 2022 at 9:01 AM
"I say~never judge a person on what you see" - True. Beautiful. Congratulations!
Goldsmith Avatar
April 25, 2022 at 9:05 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this win with my "One Life" write. I learned as a child, Do Not judge a child/person. If I had, I would have missed out on some great friends. Have a great/blessed~~day/week..............
Gasun Avatar
April 23, 2022 at 7:40 AM
Wow! You've beautifully portrayed the reality of life my dearest friend Paula living us, readers valuable words of wisdom. I love it so much. So true. To my fave. CONGRATULATIONS on your win and this amazing piece! Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful day and God bless you always. Hugs
Goldsmith Avatar
April 25, 2022 at 9:02 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing, the kind words and for your congratulations. It is an honor to have this win with my "One Life" write. Glad you love this one. I see a WOW and a FAVE??? (Thank You) You made my day. Have a great/blessed~~day/week..............
Deo Avatar
April 22, 2022 at 11:26 PM
"some hurt you cannot see," somlidevthe attitudes of judgment and envy. Great advice for every country, government, religion.
Goldsmith Avatar
April 25, 2022 at 8:56 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing. Glad you like my "One Life" write. One cannot see hurt but one can feel the deep pain of hurt. Have a great/blessed day..............
Horsman Avatar
April 22, 2022 at 9:06 PM
WWow, this is so good, Paula, and extremely true, been there often myself. The 'Tall Poppy Syndrome' has destroyed so many good folk.
Goldsmith Avatar
April 25, 2022 at 8:40 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing. Glad you like my "One Life" write. I never could understand jealousy and it is a bad thing. Have a great/blessed day..............
Dietrich Avatar
April 22, 2022 at 3:59 PM
wow, this is really really nice. I was thinking maybe it was a narrative for the contest of Constance! Since it was about life. FAVE
Goldsmith Avatar
April 25, 2022 at 8:37 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing. Glad you like my write. I see a FAVE??? You made my day wonderful. "Thanks" Have a great/blessed day..............
Skelly Avatar
April 22, 2022 at 2:51 AM
Unconditional love spares one from hurt and life is certainly more pleasant...Delice
Goldsmith Avatar
April 25, 2022 at 8:36 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing. Unconditional love is very important. Hurt is still Hurt. We must forgive. Have a great/blessed day..............
Tor Avatar
April 21, 2022 at 6:51 PM
Wow Paula this is a favorite for me. God bless you... Touching piece.
Goldsmith Avatar
April 25, 2022 at 8:33 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing. Glad you like this write. I see a favorite??? You just made my day. "Thanks" Have a great/blessed day..............
La France Avatar
April 21, 2022 at 9:53 AM
Paula, I think your poem is quite wonderful," hurt is still hurt" and though we may forgive we never forget the hurt ~Constance
Goldsmith Avatar
April 25, 2022 at 8:30 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing. Glad you like this write. Yes, Hurt is still Hurt. So true when you say, "we may forgive we never forget the hurt." We must forgive or it will eat one up. God says, to forgive. I have but the memories are still there. Have a great/blessed day..............
George Avatar
April 21, 2022 at 5:31 AM
Each one will be having private pains. Through harsh and unkind words, some inflict greater pain, ruled by jealousy ! Jealousy leaves one uncomfortable and it makes other lives too miserable ! Well written dear Paula ! Be comforted, dear one... it is life !
Goldsmith Avatar
April 25, 2022 at 8:26 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing. Life is filled with pain. Some seem to have less. Jealousy is a bad thing but guess that is part of life. Have a great/blessed day..............
Theraven Avatar
April 20, 2022 at 8:12 PM
Paula, Oh.., grilled cheese, so nice. 'One Life' makes me wonder on the other side of life, in another's shoes. -Richard
Goldsmith Avatar
April 25, 2022 at 8:23 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing. On Thur we got paid. On Fri, my girlfriend and I would split a grilled cheese and the pickle. It was all we could afford. No breakfast. It did not kill us, it made us better. Have a great/blessed day..............
Wolf Avatar
April 20, 2022 at 6:49 PM
Jealousy removes us from this world. It's as plain as that... Happiness extends our days. Ole! :)
Goldsmith Avatar
April 25, 2022 at 8:20 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing. Jealousy and this world go together. We need to think above. Have a great/blessed day..............
Buehler Avatar
April 20, 2022 at 4:37 PM
Your lovely poem sheds wisdom and light, Paula. Its positivity is indeed uplifting. Blessings, Evelyn
Goldsmith Avatar
April 25, 2022 at 8:18 AM
Thank You, for reading/writing. Glad you love my Jealousy write. Have a great/blessed day..............
Gentile Avatar
April 20, 2022 at 11:08 AM
Sending you Free Smiles Paula!! A great poem full of wisdom here! Good luck in the contest and Happy Wednesday xxoo
Goldsmith Avatar
April 20, 2022 at 1:15 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing and for your good luck. Yes, jealousy is a bad thing. As a kid, I thought it was a kid thing. Then I saw adults doing it. Guess they never grew up. "Happy Wednesday" to you. Have a great/blessed day..............
Kyser Avatar
April 20, 2022 at 10:51 AM
so very true. jealousy is such ugliness, keep shining, Paula!
Goldsmith Avatar
April 20, 2022 at 12:58 PM
Thank You, for reading/writing. Yes, jealousy is a bad thing. As a kid, I thought it was a kid thing. Then I saw adults doing it. Guess they never grew up. Have a great/blessed day..............
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