October 2005  

Ancient Greek Wisdom    ©    by    Arnie Johanson
 

You can’t be sure you’re happy till you’re dead;
there’s so much could go wrong while you’re still here.
So Solon, Aeschylus and others said.

The Dow could plunge and leave you bathed in red,
out on the street without a sou for beer.
You can’t be sure you’re happy till you’re dead.

You find your wife with someone else in bed.
The woman you thought held you oh, so dear,
reminds you what some ancient Greeks once said.

Your grandkids that you love so much all wed
mafiosi or Republicans. It’s clear
you can’t be sure you’re happy till you’re dead.

Some weird psychosis, latent in your head,
bursts into bloom. Greek voices you now hear
taunt “We were right in everything we said.”

Your body contracts some disorder dread,
Alzheimer’s, cancer, AIDS—fates you most fear.
You can’t be sure you’re happy till you’re dead.
So Solon, Aeschylus and I have said.

Previously published in the North Carolina Poetry Society's
Pinesong: Awards 2005. Used with the poet's permission.
NOTICE: The copyright © for this poem belongs to the poet.