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The Human Race

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Published 8th August 2022

Image by Open-Clipart Vectors

A poem about physical and emotional exhaustion: 'burnout'

you planned your race
to run at pace
and win at any cost

but ran too fast
and finished last
so the prize you sought was lost

had you taken time
to the finish line
you might still have your health

and realize
life's greatest prize
is the prize of life itself.

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John Watt

Date: 8/29/2022 2:58:00 PM

Gary, I remember reading this when it was still new and crafting a response, which I now see was never posted. My apologies for taking so long to figure that out. I love the wisdom underneath these words, and the Radician way you communicate that wisdom with lovely cadence, thoughtful rhyme, and an inspiring economy of words. The irony of the human condition seems to be that we sacrificially strive to attain some goal or accomplishment, only to learn at the end of the race we were running on the wrong course, or sprinting too early and collapsing before we could finish. "Pace Yourself" is a valuable lesson for the young (and old!) Bravo ~ John

Gary Radice
Date: 8/30/2022 12:28:00 PM

'Radician way' - Fantastic. :) Poetry is a strange beast. On some days I have no words for poetry. On others I have too many words and spend an age trying to put them all together and then there are days when I wake up at 3am and write some words down that hardly require any amendment to their flow before they become the finished article. This poem falls into the latter category. :) Cheers - Gary

Bill Baker

Date: 8/20/2022 5:02:00 PM

Stark truth, Gary. Great message in this poem, my friend. A poet friend in Texas, Bill

Gary Radice
Date: 8/22/2022 8:26:00 AM

Thanks for the visit Bill. Appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Christopher Flaherty

Date: 8/14/2022 4:19:00 PM

So so very true Gary Health trump's wealth

Gary Radice
Date: 8/14/2022 11:44:00 PM

Agreed Christopher. Sadly though, for some the realization dawns too late. Thanks for the read. Cheers - Gary

Gershon Wolf

Date: 8/10/2022 6:51:00 PM

Enjoyed your muse on the 'race,' Gary... Perhaps some humans are simply not built to race... ~ Professor of Racism 101

Gary Radice
Date: 8/11/2022 3:07:00 AM

Thank you Gershon. Yes, true. I do feel for those who aren't built to race but are forced to take part against their will. Cheers - Gary

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 8/10/2022 2:22:00 PM

Very true, Gary, also I like how the rhythm feels like running, and the closing lines are the perfect ending~

Gary Radice
Date: 8/11/2022 2:54:00 AM

Thank you Michelle for your great comments; I didn't purposely set out to make the poem have a rhythm similar to that of a running beat but now you've mentioned it; it does sound like that doesn't it? Maybe subconsciously that was on my mind. I don't know but - Hey - Thanks :) Cheers - Gary

Bryan Norton

Date: 8/10/2022 8:43:00 AM

That it is indeed, Gary. Life's greatest prize is life. If many believe that the purpose of life is to be happy, I have learned that the purpose of life is "to care for life, in a purposeful way." Our reward is joy, which is greater than happiness. Happiness is like getting a gift, while joy is like giving a gift. For what its worth. Thanks, Gary

Gary Radice
Date: 8/11/2022 2:40:00 AM

It's worth lots Bryan, just like your valued comments and analogy about happiness and joy. Cheers - Gary

Speaks Volumes

Date: 8/9/2022 3:44:00 PM

Definately living life in the fast lane can have it's disadvantages. Your concise poem has deep meaning and poses a valuable warning Gary. I especially like the irony of "You ran too fast, and finished last". Impressive.

Speaks Volumes
Date: 8/10/2022 3:38:00 AM

I like your mantra. Mine is ... Don't tread on the daisies at your feet, while reaching for the stars. ( A quote from a verse by C.J.Dennis )

Gary Radice
Date: 8/10/2022 12:30:00 AM

Thanks Wendy. Agreed it can have its disadvantages. There's nothing wrong with living to work of course it's just that working to live fitted better for me. Life is a prize we are given but that same prize ultimately gets taken away from us. Enjoy life as best you can and while you can is my mantra. Cheers - Gary

David Kavanagh

Date: 8/8/2022 1:39:00 PM

Life can indeed be a rat race Gary, Strange though how the speed varies from country to country and city to city, But regardless I’ve seen many people burn out far to young, by working every god given hour, even though they didn’t have to, perhaps it becomes an obsession with money, I totally agree life's greatest prize is the prize of life itself, cheers David

Gary Radice
Date: 8/9/2022 2:49:00 AM

Hi David. Thanks for your comments. I too have seen people burn out - I was close to it myself at one point but took a step back for a while. I guess I'm a good example of the older one gets the more one appreciates life. Cheers - Gary

L Milton Hankins

Date: 8/8/2022 7:53:00 AM

Superb thoughts in such short lines. I love it. A FAVE!

Gary Radice
Date: 8/8/2022 8:01:00 AM

Thanks Milt. I just wish the world would slow down a bit. Society seems to be in such a hurry all the time. People don't enjoy 'the now' enough for my liking. Thanks so much for your visit and Fave. Cheers - Gary