EPITAPH 5 (Wealth!)
By E. J. T. BRADLEY
*
When Young And Strong
His Legs Could Spring.
"Health!" To Thee, He’d Sing.
*
When Old And Frail
He’d Plead - Not Sing
"Wealth! Where Was Thy Sting?"
*
Copyright © Edward J. Bradley 2008
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Epitaph 5 - Wealth!
Poem By: EdwardJBradleySr
Poetry
Tags: aging, athlete, athleticism, bradley, burial, cash, death, disappointment, entertain, entertaining, entertainment, edward bradley, edward j bradley, edward j bradley sr, edward j. bradley, edward j. bradley sr., edwardjbradleysr, epitaph, epitaph 5, frail
This Epitaph posting is intended to be funny, humorous and ironic. A wasted life? You decide. Enjoy. View table of contents...
Submitted: Sep 9, 2008 Reads: 1021 Comments: 98 Likes: 57
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Comments:
Love it!
Posted: Sep 9, 2008
Cool, and ain't that last question a bitch, lol. I've stuck my hand in beehive after beehive and yet to feel that sting. Bees where all around my head. Wealth? I must be a dog gone bee charmer.
Posted: Sep 9, 2008
Ah yes Ed - brilliant, entertaining and thought provoking as usual. Extremely ironic because so many of us have our priorities all wrong but realise it way too late! (nought we can do about the advance of old age though!)
Posted: Sep 9, 2008
I think you are a very wonderful Writer and hope we can connect againthank you for being a fan of me I look forward in talking.
Posted: Sep 11, 2008
Sorry it's taken me so long to get around to your latest work Edward.
Very good two-verse piece, and I can relate to the change in its emphasis as I approach the next milestone in my life - 60 years of age! (But not for four years yet...)
Your poetry, unlike much that I see nowadays, uses words and phrases that actually MEAN something to the man-in-the-street.
I need stuff that does not required a dictionary or thesaurus to render it sensible.
Thanks
Phil
Posted: Sep 12, 2008
What are you trying to do to me Ed? This thinking thing
is really getting to me. Seriously though this is very
interesting and does make one ask a lot of questions.
This poem forces the reader to ask simple questions but
there are no simple or easy answers. I like this one
very much. Simple yet complicated. You have the ability to do this with everything you write leaving
your readers digging for new ideas and thoughts. What
a remarkable skill. I'm doing much better with the
mechanics of Booksie and your tip on how to edit helped bring everything together. If you happen to look in on my page please tell me if I'm dotting the I's and
crossing the T's or what might make the presentation
a little better. Kindest Regards (Brenda) Manyfacets.
Posted: Sep 14, 2008
i like this . great poem. i have an essay about cinderalla and beauty and the beast relvance to modern society
Posted: Sep 26, 2008
Ah yes, the depict of lives once young and now and how things we thought mattered once, are now not more!
great one!
Posted: Sep 27, 2008
Few words but says so much well written and thought provoking.
Posted: Sep 27, 2008
Simple and to the point. I really like it.
Posted: Sep 27, 2008
Anastasia Starlena
(not registered user)
Really great poem. I liked it alot.
Posted: Oct 2, 2008
I liked it a lot. It screams WAKE UP CALL! It may be terse but it is short and sweet(pun not intended). I thought it was really good. I have to admit that sometimes we think more about things we don't care for rather than things we do and then we end up with nothing; whether we end up with riches or poverty, whether we end up with short life or long life, it's how we lived that time span and what we accomplished.
Posted: Oct 4, 2008
I like this poem and it reminded me of a saying of my mums 'your health's your wealth'
It is very short but says quite a lot (i think anyway)
Posted: Oct 7, 2008
The beauty of which is least said,
your soul to keep is very well read.
Posted: Oct 7, 2008
I don't know how you do this. Its like reading a strong poem, then at the end there's a sharp turn of something funny. I also like that its short, because sometimes that is how we think - short and quick.
Posted: Oct 8, 2008
Blacklust
(not registered user)
In such short words you have captured a universal message: Health is wealth.
Wonderful.
Keep writing Edward.
-Blacklust
Posted: Oct 14, 2008
Mature and thought invoking. Great job!
Posted: Oct 14, 2008
great poem bradley good stuff
Posted: Oct 15, 2008
haha, i like it a lot. there's a lot of truth to the poem. great work. Happy writings.
Posted: Oct 19, 2008
Good one, goes to show money aint gonna buy you health...
Posted: Oct 22, 2008
Thank you , nicely written.
Posted: Oct 27, 2008
I love short, light-hearted poems like this. It could almost be written by John Betjeman. Lovely.
Posted: Oct 28, 2008
I hope that this isn't a promise. I liked it, thanks. Scott
Posted: Nov 3, 2008
Got a real giggle out of this.
Posted: Nov 17, 2008
very well written. good job.
Posted: Nov 20, 2008
Very well written, I enjoyed it's simplicity, yet at the same time, the pure complexity of it's hidden truths.
Bella
Posted: Nov 30, 2008
Old age stops for none. not even fabled wealth. = )
Posted: Dec 2, 2008
Had a smile when having read this. Full of truth. We have our priorities wrong most of us anyway.
A line there reminded me of Shapespeare's : Oh death where is thy sting. (think it was shakespeare lol)
Excellent post. I liked, voted too
miles of smiles and wishing you a fun filled inspirational Holiday season
Vee
Posted: Dec 13, 2008
I really like this poem,it's so good.Thanks for reading my short story,i think you are a good writer,i'll come here to read your other articles,bye for now.
Posted: Dec 14, 2008
Atanacio
(not registered user)
Hey Ed, I don't know why I keep saying this--but Less is More.. I really liked this, I mean really... :)
Posted: Dec 15, 2008
This one really hit home .. i spent the whole year trying to make it in the corporate world and lost out on so many things with my family. Sadly i even forgot my own writing ... "The Race" . typical human behaviour ... Great poem!
Posted: Dec 18, 2008
I love it! I's simple, but effective!
Posted: Dec 18, 2008
Happy weekend!
Posted: Dec 19, 2008
I loved this poem, short and sweet but speaks volumes.
It's so full of truth.
Brilliant work.
Merry Christmas
Anna Elizabeth
Posted: Dec 21, 2008
I just read "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" for the first time. I plan on seeing the movie later today. If the film is anything like the story, this poem should precede it. Brilliant!
Posted: Dec 25, 2008
Nice poem short and sweet and so true the words are. Peace Love Harmony and God Bless. nos
Posted: Dec 25, 2008
Short and sweet, but catchy, I like it ! :)
Posted: Dec 28, 2008
simple but very nice! a poem about how age matters between being young and old. i could say enough to this, just like my uncle who once worked in the military when he was young, and now could only cook as he was getting beyond 50's. hehe lol.
Posted: Jan 20, 2009
HIIIII!!!
THAT'S GOOD!!
I LIKE IT...
THANK YOU
Posted: Feb 9, 2009
I really enjoyed this. I'm glad i happened across your writings. If you have time I'd really appreciate your opinion on my piece Aristocrats With Teeth. Your insight is awaited with held breath.
Hunter
Posted: Feb 12, 2009
yet again very funny and clever
Posted: Feb 14, 2009
So true we are a greedy society and in the end we are never satisfied! Funny to read
Posted: Feb 19, 2009
Time, eats us up. Wealth, just eats...
Posted: Feb 25, 2009
Enjoyed it completely. It is a great write. Thanks for sharing.
Posted: Feb 26, 2009
nice job,Ed. Sometimes in a few words it's funny how you can get your point across. Makes me think about what's ahead for myself in twenty years.
Slammer.
Posted: Apr 3, 2009
Wealth. Good topic and sure are alot of folks thinking of the "sting" their loss of wealth has given them lately. I suppose if one has never had true "wealth" in the monetary sense, then they are not too concerned about it all now, which includes me :-)
Take care
STeve
Posted: Apr 5, 2009
Hey Ed this poem is wonderful, very well thought out and clear in it's multiple messages. It says volumes in a few well chosen words. Thanks for sharing.
Tyshawn1
Posted: Apr 22, 2009
There is so much to inspire in simple truths. I loved it :)
Posted: Apr 27, 2009
simple and beatiful
Posted: Apr 30, 2009
he he like it... simple and funny
~Jenn
Posted: Apr 30, 2009
I admire the "wealth" of wisdom revealed in this brilliant precision... Loved it ^_^
Posted: May 6, 2009
haha! very nice :D
Posted: May 12, 2009
Hi Ed
I know this is supposed to be amusing ;
But that line - Wealth where is thy sting; That got me thinking . Its truly poetic .More . I would say its profound. When all of your expectations and hopes have been dashed - its the only thing to say when old and grey - wealth where was thy sting.
Its a very moving thought spiritually I think.
You could use it in a longer more serious poem.
It seems such a pity to waste it in too lighthearted a manner .
Sometimes I find your serious poems difficult to fuly understand . Granpa Ed - I thought it was quite sad whereas my buddies find it funny.
Guess when you're at that level you can appeal to both audiences at the same time .Eh ?
But college awaits me Ed and I just have to wait I guess
LL sue
xxx.
Posted: May 12, 2009
Hi Ed. just flipping my way through your poems. I'll read em all then pick my fave... this one was good but didnt relate to me. I dont think about age or money. too busy with family.
Posted: Jun 2, 2009
A well expressed peice of writing my friend amusing, inspiring and a joy to read .Rosie
Posted: Jun 9, 2009
hehe very nice :)
i was reading this with a little catchy tune hehe! lol
very nice writing once again :D
i enjoy reading ur works
-Tricia
Posted: Jun 11, 2009
Ha ha! How does a man recognizes that he is getting old?
Posted: Jul 4, 2009
Very nice. My body tells me that I am getting older. My mind however is still a strapping, young lad believing that being comfortably poor may just do.
Posted: Jul 18, 2009
True and brilliant, anything else I could say would be redundant. Well done!
Posted: Jul 20, 2009
very touching:)
Posted: Jul 21, 2009
THIS WAS AMAZING . I LOVE YOUR WORK .... SJ
Posted: Jul 22, 2009
Totally amazing. Do you write for a newspaper or anything?
Posted: Jul 25, 2009
Very thought provoking, which I believe poetry is suppose to do, and your words, in a way, remind me of my own father. Which ellicits an emotional response on my part.
Posted: Jul 27, 2009
It just goes to show how some get their priorities mixed up...very well done!
Posted: Aug 3, 2009
Loved it! EPITAPH 5 has me rolling on the floor, laughing-up snot in only six lines of verse. I am adding it to my reading list.
"Brevity is the soul of wit." -- so sez Willie Shakespeare.
Posted: Aug 19, 2009
I have only one word to say for this poem, "Beautiful", and thank you.
Posted: Aug 23, 2009
This is probably my favorite poem that I've read on Booksie so far. Very nicely done.
Posted: Sep 7, 2009
Great! Deep meaning in simple style! I really appreciate it :D
Posted: Sep 11, 2009
That was brilliant :) cool...!!! hey when time permits check and comment on mine too...by the way lemme introduce myself...im nithin, from India...im medical student trying hands on literature too :) keep in touch...owing to the hectic schedules of MBBS i promise to be on trail every blue moon :)
Posted: Sep 12, 2009
Hi,
I just wanted to say marvelous. Seems others have used up all the good words so I had to settle.
Please forgive.
I am not old yet and I wonder at all the things you mentioned. A very imaginative and witty piece.
Posted: Sep 22, 2009
This is very thought provoking indeed. Wealth means nothing to me without happiness...self achievement...someone to love & share it with. I'd rather grow old broke and happy, than wealthy and alone.
Brilliant work!!
Annie
Posted: Sep 23, 2009
Wow Ed, this is really brilliant I love it....it's short but very meaningful...
Posted: Sep 25, 2009
i like it it has a bit of old english soul
Posted: Sep 27, 2009
Very well written and thought provoking.
Posted: Nov 10, 2009
Hah, a great read, though short :)
It never ceases to astound me what can be learned in so short a poem. Poor old man though, to realize his faults so late.
Perhaps neither health nor wealth are so valuable as we deem them?
Posted: Jan 23, 2010
excellent
Posted: Jan 26, 2010
very well written. short and sweet
Posted: Jan 30, 2010
sir , I did not understand the second part.
if you would please clarify..
Posted: Jan 31, 2010
Hi, you should serisouly consider getting your work published
Posted: Feb 6, 2010
I thought it was really good. I really enjoy reading your work. I hope you keep me posted when you write new thing :)
Posted: Feb 6, 2010
Yes, i found that amusing. Great!
Posted: Feb 17, 2010
Really good fun poem, thoughtful and reflective
Posted: Feb 23, 2010
Hi Ed, loved the poem, you have talent.
Posted: Feb 28, 2010
a friend of mine just lost her mum today and this poem spoke to me. i love it.nice one
Posted: Mar 19, 2010
Lovely :)
Posted: Apr 12, 2010
I like it. Well done.
Posted: Apr 13, 2010
I enjoy your poetry because it speaks of real life and the troubles in it. I love it!! XD
Posted: May 4, 2010
Nice one, it is always refreshing to read your poems, love them, like it!
Posted: May 7, 2010
where were you when i had my first gig job.love it.
Posted: May 15, 2010
Its great! :P
Posted: May 31, 2010
beautiful! short and impressive!
check out my other poem 'between the chains'
Posted: Jun 7, 2010
Ironic to say the least Mr. Bradley. So much conveyed in so few words. I love it.
Posted: Jun 11, 2010
i am a person of short word so in 1 work ..............wow
Posted: Jun 20, 2010
that was funny with the hint of a message, really good.
Posted: Jun 25, 2010
An intriguing epitaph; loved the humor of it; not many people can handle the success of wealth and yet, many would welcome to opportunity to see if it would fit oneself.
--Joe Breunig
Reaching Towards His Unbounded Glory
Posted: Jun 30, 2010
I loved it, simple and straight forward.
Posted: Jul 21, 2010
Hmmm...a short poem but one that placed thoughts in more than a few folks, I see. I read one of your comments on the lottery. I tried my luck three times and then I decided to forgo the superfluous task. I'd rather just get a job and bore myself with that than scratch out lottery tickets all day.
I'm digressing now...
Luckily for me, my legs can still spring - though I don't sing very well.
...back on track.
I liked the poem, though.
Posted: Aug 11, 2010
I'm new here and as your face appeared on my page, I thought I'd stop by. I enjoyed your poem. It says what we all feel, but don't always cherish. When we chase the dream we can sometimes lose more than we gain. I wrote a poem about the lottery when it first came out in England in 1994 I'll dig it out and post it, it might raise a laugh.
Keep your pencil sharp.
Posted: Sep 7, 2010
© Copyright 2010 EdwardJBradleySr All rights reserved. EdwardJBradleySr has granted theNextBigWriter, LLC non-exclusive rights to display this work on Booksie.com.
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Other writing by EdwardJBradleySr Legislation: Domestic Care-Givers Epitaphs 6 & 7 (Dark Night Of The Soul!) Here To Stay POEMS Friends In Close Harmony More..
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Love, Romance, Death, Poetry, Life, Poem, Pain, Fantasy, Sad, Sex, Hate, Hurt, Hope, Fiction, Horror, Family, Friendship, Dark, Friends, War, Heart, Depression, Humor, God, Sadness.