Amongst the beauty of everyday
Familiarity may breed contempt
Waking with enthusiasm to play
Becomes more difficult to attempt
Maybe it’s a concrete jungle
Or a paradise you are facing
Each day a success or bungle
The happy rats keep on racing
So here it is and here we are
Another mountain for us to climb
Our attitude got us this far
‘cross crystal waters, one more time
Written for Sadje’s What Do You See picture prompt (above) and Reena’s Xploration Challenge – everydayness.
3rd Sep 2025 – Submitted to dVerse Poetics Tuesday – life and lemons
1994ever 
I especially like “the happy rats keep on racing.”
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We may be rats but we can still be happy 😁
Thanks Reena 🙏
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🤗🤗
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Beautifully written. Great take on both the prompts!
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Thank you 🙏
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I like how you have compared this situation to how life challenges us and we have to deal the best with them. Thanks for joining in.
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I was thinking about my situation of moving to a new country and constantly being in awe of the ‘new’ beauty that I was surrounded by, which over times, just becomes normal and mundane.
The boats in the picture made me think about the person that has to row the boat across the water every day (perhaps to go to work) now become unaware of the beauty of their surroundings.
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Very true. We get acclimatized to every situation around us- good or bad and then stop noticing them.
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The picture is calming but the mountain is alarming. Those rats…
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Rats can have fun ❤
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I know I am!
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🤣🥰
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I like how your wrote to both prompts – bravo!
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Thanks 🙏 Sometimes a second prompt inspires something from the first.
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Yes, that often happens to me!
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This is splendid. A wonderful read. Thanks so much. Sending blessings.
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Thank you 🙏
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Those rats only seem happy! It’s apathy burning behind those eyes. Very cool poem!!!
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In many cases I’m sure. Like Sisyphus, we must assume they’re happy.
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Absolutely!!!
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One day at a time works for me.
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Is there really any other way?
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No, but I remember a saying, “One foot in the past, one foot in the future, and pissing on the present.”
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That great philosopher, Michael J Fox apparently!
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lol! Hey, the boy ain’t no slouch.
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Well expressed, Shaun!
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Thanks Carol 🙏
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Well said, Shaun.
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🙏
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Shaun, I like the reflection on the tension between daily life’s beauty and the struggles inherent in routine and perseverance, your choice of metaphors, rhythm, and tone makes it very engaging🙌
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Thank you 🙏
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To be part of that rat-race…. maybe the only thing you can do is ti enjoy it.
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Your beautifully composed poem may explain how I have lived in seven States, in multiple homes in more than several of them. Thanks and cheers!!
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Thanks Helen 🙏
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I like your choice of “Maybe”
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We persevere.
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At the end of the day there are only two options.
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