When I was young,
I wanted to be Leonardo Da Vinci,
But, when I was old,
I became Homer Simpson.
What made the difference?
I took a road less traveled,
The wrong one.
Leonardo:
Built parachutes,
Painted madonnas,
Set the caged birds free.
Homer:
Watched buttons,
Ate donuts,
Juggled job and family.
Leonardo grew old
Seeking patrons in dark castles,
Spinning the fragile plates of art and science,
Thinking himself a failure.
Homer never aged,
Never failed,
Hadn’t the awareness.
So, I shall pass at last
From the futility of Homer to the self-reproach of Leonardo,
Having skipped the wonder years,
Only to catch the disappointing finale.
But, unlike Leonardo,
I’ll at least have donuts.
All Hail Homer, Leonardo ~~~ THE DONUTS!!! l
ReplyDeleteHelen, you are a riot!
DeleteLOL, Helen!
DeleteEnjoyed this poem... especially like the way you've carried it to that unexpected conclusion.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Leonardo would've like donuts! His loss, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought that ability to find something good--and tasty--with our lives, even when we are convinced our living wasn't great, is a superpower.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much reality in this poem, and the humorous and slightly self-deprecating tone makes it even more real.
Also, now I'm craving donuts.
I wonder if you did skip the wonder years, or were just too busy to notice them? Homer is happy, so there is that.
ReplyDeleteWe can safely say that I skipped them. LOL. Unless they are still ahead. . .
DeleteHomer is hyperbole. There is nothing wrong with the essence of man, but for women wanting to change it.
DeleteThe last four lines are my favorites.
LOL, such an awesome piece! Now I'm craving donuts too.
ReplyDeleteAh, the creature comforts and satisfied appetites are not to be despised!
ReplyDelete"So, I shall pass at last
ReplyDeleteFrom the futility of Homer to the self-reproach of Leonardo,
Having skipped the wonder years,
Only to catch the disappointing finale.
But, unlike Leonardo,
I’ll at least have donuts."
doh!
oh what could have been. but i imagine true happiness lies somewhere springfield and florence, and let us not forget that homer knows not what he knows not, and perhaps there is some wisdom in that, or at least some piece of mind =) great poem, very clever and well constructed
Somewhere in between, the patrons of dark castles and the comfort of glazed donuts, we are where we should be.
ReplyDeleteThe difference is stagnation or striving towards perfection.
Me? I'm stuck in mud...
The speaker of your poem becoming Homer Simpson, watching buttons and eating donuts had me in stitches. I hope laughter was the intended outcome of your poem. If not, I apologize. I just couldn't shake the image of Simpson eating donuts. :D
ReplyDeleteThat's good. It was supposed to be amusing.
DeleteEach man a master of his own domain... and they each had their own Lisa!
ReplyDeleteEach one is here depicted as only a fraction of a man. Homer had a normal life with normal responsibility and never aged or died. Leonardo got all the adventure and enjoyment but succumbed to the reality of time
ReplyDelete