The Pleasure

And the pain.

Photograph by Author.

Neither pleasure nor pain is exclusive
There’s no pleasure without resulting pain
Indulgence is a short-lived luxury
Watch any benefits gurgle down the drain.

I’ve travelled to the heights of happiness.
And then ridden the roller coaster down the hill
It may have been fun while it lasted
Then there’s the payment for the thrill.

I never got something for nothing
Payment for the pleasure is a pain.
I sit, whisper and curse quietly.
I’ve up and done it again.

There’s always someone else I have forgotten
Until I worked out, I was the one
And remembered I could be good company
And enjoy fun on the run.

I didn’t need the props of people
To enhance my life to make me feel good
My presence was all I needed
I dropped the phrase “Now I think I should”.

Living with myself brings me pleasure
No one to blame eliminates the pain
I now experience peace and equilibrium
And walk happily in the rain.

I delight in doing things differently
These days, happiness abounds
I have fewer surprises
And no longer run with the hare and the hounds.

© David Rudder
2024

Thank you for reading this piece and my poetry.