Each life is like a dwelling
We erect and live within -
With each component telling
What we are, or what we've been.

Our precious tool, Intelligence,
Too often goes to waste.
We fall prey to our Indolence,
Or build in foolish Haste.

And some of us, quite madly,
Are consumed by Education;
We build citadels, then sadly
Live in dream-world Isolation.

I perceive the rich, full life
As neither hovel, nor a castle.
It's built of simple Joy and Strife,
By neither tyrant, nor a vassal.

Kindness is its "Master Plan"
To shun Selfish aspirations.
Its foundation is Respect for man
To endure for generations.

Its strength is in its solid Oak
Of Humility and Grace.
Vanity's gaudy, gold Baroque
Is not found within this place.

To support each beam and rafter,
Love permeates its walls
Its rooms are made of Laughter
To echo through its halls.

Its roof, the most demanding
Sheds Vicissitude of years.
Its build of Understanding
To weather Frailty and Tears.

It's maintained by Moderation
Without Gloom or Wild Emotion.
To allay Fear and Trepidation
For Old Age and Time's Erosion

Though it's kept in good Repair,
It's never "prissy" Neat.
There's a Loving pet's stray hair,
And the smudge of Children's feet.

Its Decor is hearty Humor
And constant Conversation,
But it ignores vicious Rumor
To protect its Reputation.

It's landscape is Hospitality
For Friends from everywhere;
Its trees bear fruit of Charity
For those less fortunate to Share.

NO! Full life is no Bare Residence!
It BURSTS with years of Decency;
Of Kindness, Love . . and Evidence
Of what "Man" should STRIVE to be!

(Unlike wanton FOOLs, like me)!

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