My Poetry. Have you ever.

Have you ever wondered how
you could truly survive without your friends?
Do you let them know almost every day
that on you, they absolutely may depend?
Have you ever sent them beautiful flowers
with a heartfelt message: "You are adored"?
Or simply told your very closest friends
that without them, you would surely be bored?

Have you ever spotted a bright rainbow
and genuinely imagined the pot of gold?
Or made a wish with a small, shiny coin,
to make your own fortune multiply tenfold?
Have you ever been gripped by that strange feeling
that something could always go wrong?
Or wondered why the legendary Samson
was ever physically that strong?

Have you ever loved a person deeply,
or argued fiercely over a choice you must make?
Or wanted something badly and immediately,
like a fortnight's relaxing cruise to take?
Have you ever truly noticed the poor, old man
with his shabby, sadly dirty clothes?
Or paused to wonder why the reindeer Rudolph
has such a distinctive, bright red nose?

Have you ever chosen a delicious meal for the night,
or decided instead on easy takeout food?
Have you ever managed to get the kids to bed
to finally enjoy the rest of your quiet solitude?
Have you ever decided on the evening's menu
for the late-night television schedule?
Maybe settled on watching your favorite soap opera,
or tuned in for a sporting fight, punctual and true?

Have you ever wondered how, exactly,
we manage to fill in our many quiet days?
Or thoughtfully listened to the objectives
of what people everywhere have to say?
And have you ever wondered when
this rambling poem will ever come to its end?

It ends now—or maybe never—
but you read it, and for that, I thank you, my friend.

© William Sinclair Manson 2025