My Friend, The Things That Do Attain. Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey

Not mine obviously, but I wanted it where I can read it from time to time.

My Friend, The Things That Do Attain




MY friend, the things that do attain

The happy life be these, I find:

The riches left, not got with pain;

The fruitful ground; the quiet mind;

The equal friend; no grudge; no strife;

No charge of rule, nor governance;

Without disease, the healthy life;

The household of continuance;

The mean diet, no dainty fare;

Wisdom joined with simpleness;

The night discharged of all care,

Where wine the wit may not oppress:

The faithful wife, without debate;

Such sleeps as may beguile the night;

Content thyself with thine estate,

Neither wish death, nor fear his might.

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey

The Joys of a Simple Life

No matter what
when I rise up on a new day
feel the jolt of fresh-squeezed orange juice
while the cabin of the sailboat fills with
the smell of freshly ground and brewed coffee
which I carry up onto the deck and
feel the wind that blows the trees brush my face as well
I look up at the blue of the sky
and the always-changing configuration of the clouds
While the birds soar in and out of my vision
it is enough for the growing smile on my face
to precede a feeling of peace.

It is then time to sit down for the morning's writing
to be followed by two hours at the gym and
then to observe what new understanding the grand kids have achieved
and what new questions and abilities they are testing.
A glass of wine and dinner with friends
“Adagio for Strings” and a quiet dialogue with Spinoza
Finally sleep comes with the rocking of the boat.

I lived the day.
Tomorrow may come.
I harmed no one.

As Dickens taught, if one's income,
no matter how small exceeds expenses
and while health lasts, I am
at peace and there is no need for immortal promises
or requests.

Arnold Kraft Sherman
Published in Caribbean Compass online
July, 2012, p. 30