Contentment

“But I’m content,” you said; and it’s that “but”

   That got me thinking.  We all use that word

When we talk of contentment—we’ll say what

   We’ve done, we’re doing, or what just occurred,

Listing the reasons why we shouldn’t feel

   Content before we say we are, like it’s

A ledger trade: on one side, life’s ordeal;

   While on the other, life’s perspective sits,

Balancing content with contentment’s hand—

   Thumbing the scales until both fall and climb

Are equal—until all our glasses stand

   Half full, with pardons matching every crime.

      “But I’m content,” I say—which is to plead

      The equanimity of lack and need.

Copyright 2015 Matthew J Wells

 

thanks, Rebeca!  :-)