richards odes

 Wealth

There was a merchant banker built a castle on a hill
Filled with every luxury that was designed to thrill!
Marble brought from Italy and oak from England too
All done in the best of taste in gilt and ormolu!
He worked to earn his money and married wealth as well
But whether he'd be happy only time would tell.
His first wife gave him children but died so very young
So he married her half sister and gossips did give tongue!
Blow me, that lady died as well at an early age!
Surely now the time had come to write a happier page!
He married for the third time. An angel of delight.
Perhaps at last this rich man's luck had started going right?
Alas while he was working a little way away
Some malignant Cupid started out to play!
It was brought to his attention she was having an affair
With his eldest son it seems! An ill assorted pair!
On hearing of this infamy he put a bullet through his head
And so this rich man's troubles ended with him dead.
Happiness did not come with wealth. It is not worth a bean.
A well contented pauper is as happy as a queen.
Do not strive for wealth alone, it is not the goal.
Search instead for purest love which can make you whole.
That love is surely granted to those with selfless thought
Who love God and their fellows as our Saviour taught.