Home » Poems » Terry Ireland » The Nearly Men

The Nearly Men

I am one of the nearly men
Never quite the best
Not really of the crowd
Not quite one of the rest.
You see us in every photograph
When the prizes are handed out
Making up the numbers yet 
Never standing out,
For we nearly men and dreamers
Just stand back and allow
The doers and the action men
Their triumphal bows.
We feed our children humour
And tell them it’s no disgrace
To amble along comfortably
In the middle of the race.
We don’t believe in heavens 
Or gods at pearly gates
So we try with dignity 
To accept our various fates.
We consume our allotted portions
And when it’s time to die
We face it not with a roar
But with a quiet sigh.
Nearly men and dreamers
Never quiet never loud
Trying their hardest not
To mingle with the crowd.

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

John Lawless

Date: 11/5/2022 5:05:00 AM

I believe that all your nearly men....are absolutely clearly men.

Terry Ireland
Date: 11/5/2022 6:42:00 AM

Thank you John.

Speaks Volumes

Date: 11/4/2022 7:00:00 PM

So many aspects of this poem Terry, You describe a composite individual. Up to ambling along comfortably in the middle of the race, you had me down to a tee. We separated on the heaven bit and joined when we accepted our fate, and continued in unison when not mingling with the crowd. I adored your poem and have always been happy to be a nearly woman. Its now a favorite

Terry Ireland
Date: 11/5/2022 1:38:00 AM

Thanks Wen - I've seen to many people crash and fall through ambition or bw unhappy about things they can't possibly change. I do actively rail against social injustice and try to help my fellows, but am s satisfied with my life.