The complicated lives we lead
move some to dream of less
We read the books and watch the shows
not thinking of the stress
That people in those simpler times
dealt with everyday
Or how the rule of law was built
to equalize the play
When might made right, the strongest there
could force His will on most
While those ill favored and not strong
made up a silent host
The Lords and Ladies of the land
held sway in days of old
They prospered on the strength of those
who did just as they're told
"Plant and harvest, give me most
like all my farm holds do
It's my land, I'll let you work
so you can "help" me too"
We rarely see the cost involved
with running Lordly houses
The worth of food just thrown away
from one of their carouses
We don't see when they eat meat
the peasants eat black bread
Or that the slightest Lordly whim
could cost a serf his head
We don't see the drudge work, because,
that's not entertaining
And we want fun, escape our lives
with images remaining
My daughters say "I wish, sometimes,
that I could live back then"
I'm sure they want the Lordly past
I cannot help but grin
For even lords and ladies then
weren't happy all the time
Or healthy as we see them shown
on our TV prime
My grandma at 100 plus
rode in a horse drawn wagon
And I stalked the milk man's route
nicked ice when he was laggin
The exponential growth of stuff
that makes our lives so grand
Adds stress that makes us think about
just what we have at hand
It's true I'd like to simplify
but going back those years
Would remind me of our progress,
of all the blood and tears
That paid for all that we now have
and what we think we need
I think the simple life's a draw
to balance out the greed
Richard Higley © July 2011
