The Good Life

by Belinda Munoz on April 6, 2011

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The good life dines on
Michelin-starred meals paired
with flights of blue-ribbon wine.

The good life soaks in the sounds
of top tier symphonic sophistication
playing Prokofiev, Puccini and Penderecki.

The good life knows the difference
between fake and faux, new
and nouveau, shack and chateau.

The trappings of a good life
add a distance between
those living in it and those
killing or dying for it.

On opposite tracks,
one can meet the other halfway.
Possibly.

Neither can tunnel a trail
away from the terminal.
Certainly.

+++++++
for One Shot Wednesday

image by Armando Maynez

{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Efrain Nieves April 6, 2011 at 4:56 am

Great use of words and I agree.

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2 ayala April 6, 2011 at 5:53 am

That is true…..I found most of the time when they meet across the tracks it happens because of love….otherwise it’s hard because those with the good life remain on their side of the tracks. As always I love your words!

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3 Shah Wharton April 6, 2011 at 7:22 am

Fabulous. I love a drop myself, but its a fine line between liking a drop and addiction, and some would say that line is genetic. Beyond you control-until you know and move over to sobriety. Beautifully illustrated message. Great imagery. Shah. X

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4 brian April 6, 2011 at 7:28 am

the good life has little to do with ones station in life and more and attitude of the heart…i think. smiles.

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5 meg April 6, 2011 at 8:04 am

I really like this one!

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6 Nicole April 6, 2011 at 8:19 am

It this fantastic and I love the sumptuous words at the beginning that quiet turn-around at the end!

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7 Sara Healy April 6, 2011 at 8:21 am

Belinda — This poem begins like tasting a perfectly cooled Pinot Grigio on a hot day and then closes with a dark and rich Amarone, leaving questions on your taste buds:~)

My favorite lines were these:
“The good life knows the difference
between fake and faux, new
and nouveau, shack and chateau.”

I don’t know enough about poetry to name what you did here, but it’s fun to read aloud and the comparisons are great — perfect for the poem.

I really love your poetry…it’s as simple as that:~)

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8 BigLittleWolf April 6, 2011 at 8:54 am

Poignant, heartfelt, and all too true. Beautiful words, Belinda.

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9 Mark Kerstetter April 6, 2011 at 11:17 am

Provocative. The way you’ve pitted the haves and the have-nots against each other has me wondering what could compel either to meet the other on the tracks. The haves would have to escape their “trappings” (why?) and the have-nots are scrambling too hard working or stealing. Perhaps that’s what you suggest with the word “possibly”. Your poem is beautifully written.

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10 Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri April 6, 2011 at 4:19 pm

Beautiful words and they ring so authentic. This has been one my favorite shots from you. You really weave artistry, images and a sentiment with such few words. Brilliant!

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11 Marci | Liberating Choices April 6, 2011 at 6:23 pm

The trappings of a too good life for both those that have it and those that desire more than breath itself – what a trap. For me, life is about realizing that we can do/be something amazing each day, not about how much you have. What really defines us?

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