Fabled Years Of Leisure
Posted: Thursday, February 19, 2009
by David Pekrul
During the years of the 60's when I was in school,
They talked of the future to come,
How life would be easy and jobs would be cool,
And leisure would spread to each one.We'd be at the office the times that we want,
And money would flow easily,
We'd work shorter hours and take more time off,
And life would be simple and free.
And we work longer days and much harder,
No time for ourselves and much less for our kids,
It seems we work harder, not smarter.
And the man at the top says we need to work more,
And give more to him every day,
So we do as he asks and hope he'll be pleased,
But now he is after our pay.
Just where is this future that we thought was ours?
And the leisure time we were once promised?
I try to believe but I feel so deceived,
And it's caused me to be 'Doubting Thomas'.
Perhaps times will prosper much more for our kids,
And they will enjoy extra freedom.
I don't mind the working if only I knew,
That for them I was plantin' and seedin'.
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E-Mail:dpekrul@gmail.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Very good, David. You've depicted, very skillfully and truthfully, the promises and the present. Isn't it much safer for us to believe in His promises than the promises of the man at the top? I loved the stanzas with Doubtin' Thomas and if you were seedin' and plantin' for your kid's future. Brilliance!I'm so glad we have God's promises, Avis. He promised to supply all our needs, but sometimes He even gives us our wants.As far as work goes, I was able to retire from my airline career in 2005 and now God has blessed me with a full-time job in a funeral home, something I've always wanted to do. I'm not enjoying much of the leisure time they said we would have, but I love my work.
The only promises that you should believe are the ones you make to yourself and others. Those are the only promises you have the power to guarantee.Au contraire, my friend. The promises we make to ourselves are often not fulfilled. Why? - because we are only human and quite often weak and unable to fulfill those promises. On the other hand, the promises of God are sure, like a strong foundation. It is those promises I will trust in.
Amen, David. The only definites in life are death and taxes--and taxes fluxuate, but death is sure--but even there, is an upside if you believe and have faith. Human weakness will always be our downfall. Great Poem. I loved it. But you always do such good writing.SandraThanks Sandra. I appreciate your comments. Yea, death and taxes. Taxes are supposedly so the government can supply our needs; death is so God can provide our eternal future.
David - When you said "on the contrary" to my response, you must have been speaking for yourself. You were certainly not speaking for me, or about my life.
I have a very deep belief in god. That belief tells me to take responsibility for my life. That includes making good on the promises I make.I couldn't agree with you more, Anon. Of course, I cannot speak for you, only for myself. And I totally agree, we must take responsibility for all we do and we should keep our promises to ourselves and to others. I am only saying (I speak for myself here), that we are only human and sometimes, as good as our intentions are, we sometimes fail. But God's promises never fail. He said in His word, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." That is what I mean by standing on the promises of God.Thanks for your further reply. God bless.
David, this was very well done, and so true in content. Thing are not as we were promised, and life is not so easy anymore for the retiree. I echo what Avis and Sandra both said. I hope we are plantin' and seedin' for our kids....hopefully they will have a much brighter time in their "Golden Years", As usual, your message rings loud and clear, and with truth. Well done my friend, and a profound message given. Well done my friend, well done. Your fan and friend in pen.......Gary.Thanks, Gary. I thought I had retired 3 1/2 years ago, but here I am working full-time again. I guess I'll try again in another few years.
Wonderful work, David. I'm with you. It's not the hard work I mind, it's working hard and coming away with nothing.too lazy to log in, sorry!Thanks for commenting, Ken.And as I write this, I'm off to work.Have a great day.
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