Unsatisfied

recently scenes of early life have stolen into my mind, like breezes blown ..." Quote by _Samuel Taylor Coleridge (from his writings) I win fourth place, third place, second place In innumerable contests and competitions But everyone around me says “Reach for the highest stars” And so I reached. I reached and reached and reached with all my heart Never content with my success However brief, the joy that lasted was always dismissed. Now I am old, and fading with age, lost track of who I was ages hence With my memories that keep me sane I realize I was never happy, only filled with disdain. Not once. Always determined to do better, be better. I simply let those precious moments escape (perhaps even by chance) And here, now, with my fading breath I look around to see the people Who stood rigidly throughout my life, now giving me their faith instead Like a blinding beacon distributing happiness by the tear That I never bothered to receive. The people who stayed with me, made memories dear Which I clutch close to my heart And treasure like nothing else Because as I part, At the end of the day A sculpted wood piece will always be just wood No matter how many fancy titles are given to it. 17th October 2022, Monday Contest: Past Memories