Ph: Life: Tapped Out At Four - Rev2 Poem by Brian Johnston

Stanzas One, Two, Three And Growing

There was "She Played the Harp"(1) , when I truly was young,
"Ode to Verde Lee Allen"(2) , a stop on a rung,
Loving women has always been easy for me,
For their beauty's not found just in eye of beholder
Even boys with weak eyes don't need glasses to see
Their humility shining each day they get older.

Where humility's lacking man struggles with fate,
Overconfidence means that you don't acclimate
It's not really a question of "born smarts" or "brawn, "
More that Nature's corrections are seen as God's feedback,
That your life is still open, you haven't withdrawn,
And in love there is warmth that sustains you through setback.

And it's not just in loving a woman you grow,
Sometimes love's greatest gift might be letting her go!
Is there dream that she has you can't see as a goal
Or a burden relationship puts on your nature?
Is it selfishness that you respect your own soul,
Or that you can find value in her new adventure?

Going Beyond Four

Many men find that failure creeps past each new door,
For maturity slows pretty close to age four.
A man's passion to be right, to win, may not serve!
Must your bad dreams cry "Uncle" or end with a whimper?
Does your stiff upper lip suggest you might lack nerve?
Do you go for a smile or just settle for simper?

Are you faking success when you could have been real,
Maybe better to stay with how you really feel?
Is it possible you've become tool of your press,
Being right is a stress that can make a man weaker,
It's a terrible burden, the need to impress!
And the "KISS"(3) principle might help you be a seeker.


Brian Johnston
October 23,2016

Poet's Notes:
(1) 'She Played the Harp' and
(2) 'Ode to Verde Lee Allen' are fun poems in this collection honoring two of my grade school love interests. : -)
(3) The "KISS Principle" suggests that the wise "keep it simple! "