*all ways, intensely, forever*

whether a true love, true artist, true scholar, true athlete,
isn’t that what you seek?
that which takes you to the peak
of highest excellence
and leaves you perched, pondering entry
through the next portico wondrously yonder…?

but some disclaim: “we cannot sustain
such—the humdrum of life is what pays the bills”…
such would maintain:
“everything in moderation
—that’s what Aristotle taught”
so true.
but Aristotle was no fool,
he taught:
 “everything in moderation”   —all ways, intensely, forever.
only the excellence of moderation  he knew,
yet never could he know enough,
never?—no!  never enough!

such is all ways and forever life’s expedition:
embrace of the very best that’s true!
unless, of course, one chooses to cuddle melancholy and mediocrity.
then you need only close your eyes and drift off uninspired
to the sullen respite of ordinary dreams
and there remain awaiting eternity,
which will someday mercifully swallow you
*all ways, intensely, and forever*

   "There is only the Golden Eternity."
          --Jack Kerouac