I stumbled upon this bit of prose & thought I’d stick it up here:
Outlook
Greed
My life is full indeed of gloom.
I’ve naught , you see, just this small room.
I need more wealth – that’s misery.
What joys in great renown! What glee!
The mace and throne I long to own.
No crown too grand for me alone.Contentment
My life is full indeed!
Of gloom I’ve naught, you see.
Just this small room I need.
More wealth? That’s misery.
What joy’s in great renown?
What glee the mace and throne?
I long to own no crown.
Too grand for me alone.
The Pessimist
That deep red rose – I see its thorn.
I just ignore the scent that’s borne.
To me it’s nothing. I deplore
Those scratches that I got before.
I just complain about the pain.
A lot I think of beauty’s gain!The Optimist
That deep red rose I see,
Its thorn I just ignore.
The scent that’s borne to me –
It’s nothing I deplore!
Those scratches that I got –
Before I just complain
About the pain a lot,
I think of beauty’s gain.
Degradation
This skid row bum will win no more.
He’ll strive and lose in his sad war.
On gin he’s hooked – that demon booze!
And now he’ll loudly sing the blues.
He’s chased away all hope today.
Will Spring have cheer? No – more decay.Redemption
This skid row bum will win!
No more he’ll strive and lose.
In his sad war on gin
He’s hooked that demon booze.
And now he’ll loudly sing,
The blues he’s chased away.
All hope today will spring:
Have cheer – no more decay!— Mary Youngquist
It’s all in the punctuation, and perspective. Or outlook.