Fate rapped upon my door last night
And offered me a deal,
‘Choose this or that, it’s up to you.
One will hurt but you will feel.
The other, you will get to live
Humming a sweet tune,
But ecstasy and agony
Will bay unto the moon.’
He did not say which this or that
Would reveal each gift I crave.
He looked at me, I pondered,
Then answer this, I gave.
‘To choose to feel would be the deal
I would most desire,
To know agony and ecstasy
In a burning love of fire,
But serenity, all lost to me
I could not so endure.
To choose this or that for certain,
I really am not sure.’
I made to close the open door
When chanced my eye upon his face,
His the look of tormenting tempter
To lure me from all grace.
I pushed,
To slam the door to end
All conversation
With dubious friend
But halted as he spoke,
‘Your subtle meanings here and there,
Your secret, hidden glances,
Reveal to me in image clear
You would love to take such chances’.
I began to say he had me wrong,
When sweet agony pierced the balmy air,
A nightingale commenced his song,
Passed through my heart then rested there.
He knew my weakness, knew it well,
That future days would look and laugh
At all the things I never did
And wish I’d done by half.
I wedged my toe between wall and door
To leave it quite ajar,
Fate took one look, smiled wryly, said,
‘You’ll never go too far.
Too sensible for major risk,
Responsible as well’.
Smug he looked, I slammed the door,
Told him to go to hell.
So what if this or that appears,
Tempts and haunts in coming years?
For Fate forgot I have a voice
And this, in life, gives me some choice.
This or that may come my way
And offer black or white,
But life has shown that few things here
Are simply wrong or right.
This or that exist upon
Extending visual spectrum
Where many shades fall in between,
Consider well then choose some
Variety in spice of life,
Not this or that be bound by,
Muted some, while others flare,
Colours all surround me.
If Fate should choose to call again
Come tapping at my door,
I’ll use the peep-hole just to check
Then him, I will ignore.
I’ll take my chances with my life,
I’ll make choices and embrace all
With wider field of vision now,
Than before he came to call.
scottishmomus 