All This and Yet

 

 

 

He had it all

She had it all,

All this and yet

It was like nothing at all.

 

Satisfaction in life!

Is it material?

Is it the same

For all people?

 

What percent is riches?

What portion is wealth?

And what about wellbeing?

What about health?

 

How much is fame?

What is popularity worth?

What about one’s achievements?

How important is being 1^st?

 

 

First in class?

First in every competition?

Having no equal

Defeating all opposition?

 

All this and yet

There’s a craving for more,

On top of the world

Yet life is a bore.

 

Another challenge!

This should surely be it

But having conquered again

I am still in a pit.

 

I am my challenge

That I cannot escape,

I have vanquished all opposition

Yet myself I hate.

 

I’ve achieved and achieved

But it’s all short lived,

The applause has died down

I’ve nothing more to give.

 

 

Trophies galore

And plaques on the walls,

All of this and yet

It means nothing at all.

 

Each achievement

Is for the moment achieved

And as quickly as it comes

As quickly it recedes.

 

One final hoorah

That the world will remember,

They’re not likely to forget,

No, not ever!

 

“I’ll fly without wings

A little different from before,

No applause this time

For I will be no more.”

 

 

All of this and yet,

What lack they yet?

To be void of life’s real purpose

Is one’s deepest depth.

 

Life’s real purpose

Is to live it for Christ,

He is the only way

In this and the next life.

 

All this and yet

Must be contextualized,

Christ must steer my ship

If I am to survive.

 

In memory of Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst

 

Stewart Russell © January 31, 2022