The Man Who Wants It All

There is the man who wants his share

     Of life’s rich golden store;

There is the man, not very rare,

     Who wants a little more.

But men like these two, as you know,

     They number very small

Compared with our vast overflow

     Of men who want it all.

You know the man, no doubt you meet

     Him every busy day;

He’s either out upon the street

     Or doing office play.

He always shouts his deals are square,

     That others get the haul;

He only wants the smaller share,

     He doesn’t want it all.

But when you see his mansion fair,

     His miles of real estate,

His ships for sea and ships for air

     His autos six or eight,

You know he’s got a goodly pile,

     The world moves at his call;

You know it with a sickly smile

     That he has got it all.

And yet the sons of man arise

     And follow in his lead;

We have each day before our eyes

     The mirror of his deed.

Here’s hoping you this rogue surpass,

     And list not to its call;

That you see not in the glass

     The man who wants it all.

Aug. 12. ‘09