Running on this daily treadmill, filling life’s gloomy story
Falling behind in life’s endless race, without much glory
Working Nine to Five, five long days each week
Stumbling through every month, looking bleak
Forgetting when life last paused for any vacation
Punching in, punching out . . . time clock fixation
Heating up life’s pressure cooker, deadlines loom ahead
Hoping the lid doesn’t blow off, propelled into tiny shreds
Watching everyone trying to row in the same boat
Rowing in separate directions, now barely afloat
Refueling the tank, this coffee break no longer helps
Scurrying on empty, might just as well holler a yelp
Taking the elevator to another miserable meeting
Ending up on the wrong floor, no warm greeting
Driving home each night, worn down to a blown-out frazzle
Stopping at the same red traffic light, it no longer dazzles
Racing every day, life delivers another coup de grace
Looking left, then right . . . who’s winning this rat race?
Wow
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WHEN IT’S A RAT RACE, ONLY THE RATS WIN. Ooops… cap lock… don’t shout! You said it so well, {{{Richard}}}, “Watching everyone trying to row in the same boat/ Rowing in separate directions, now barely afloat.” The image of that rings true to so much of what’s going on in society today. We’re all in the same boat, but we’re divided into adversarial groups… all facing opposing directions, all rowing against each other, going nowhere fast. UNITY IS POWER! That’s worth shouting. That’s the sticker I have on my car right now. I need it on a yard sign. I need it stitched on my heart.
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Beautiful poem Mr. Richard, as always. I often ponder the “rat race” out there myself. I’ve had a major prayer answered. And I thank you for your prayers. With that being said, it had everything to do with not being a part of the “rat race”. When I downsized (it took me 4 moves) to my R.V. I would dwell on those running over each other on the roads….to leave their homes to hurriedly go to a place to pay for their homes in which they are never home. Oh boy! We’re all rushing to go….where? To do….what? To have….what? Yes, it’s important to be financially secure and wise to take care of one’s family. But I feel some are living in a huge hamster wheel, turning and turning. I don’t wish to be the loudest, the fastest, or the one living in a zombie state of life. I’d “reckon” the year 2020 has brought a heart change to many; or I’m hopeful it has. It took me hitting the pavement off of a motorcycle when I was 36 to the truth of this: we get one shot at this abundant life God has given us. I vow to to be patient and intent when driving or in riding an elevator to my destination. And I hear him. I’m listening. I’m praying for those who feel trapped in an elevator. God bless you!
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Gosh, I don’t want to seem insensitive to those still working, but I am glad to be retired!
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Yes, some days feel like that, but hopefully, there are more days when it is not so depressing…
great job capturing that sense of despair…
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That is what it feels like these days for sure! Great poem!
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Well done poem that capture so much of the disconnected and lonely modern life…how we need Jesus and the Church
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the treadmill tossed me off
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