by Paul Hartal
She was reading a book on a bench.
He recognized her. Years ago
He had a crush on her in high school.
So what is now your luminous goal in life? ”
She asked.
“Money and fame”, he said.
“Your answer is more disappointing
Than surprising”, she said.
“Why? You don’t want money and fame? ”
“No, I don’t want money and fame.”
“You’re a hypocrite.”
“This sneer was predictable, but I really
Don’t want money and fame.”
“Why? You don’t need money to buy
Food, clothes and other necessities? ”
“Of course I need. However, I am talking
About priorities. I don’t live to make
Money; I make money to live”, she said.
“I see. But how can you be happy
If you are not rich? ” he asked.
“I don’t believe that happiness really
Can emanate from wealth.
My neighbor won millions in the casinos
Of Las Vegas but he is still depressed.
And a lot of unhappy rich and famous
People walk the streets out there.”
“So what is it that you really desire in life? ”
“Peace, well-being and contentment.”
“That’s all? ”
She gave him a gentle and exploring look.
“No”, she said. “That’s not all.
I desire to have an inner fortune that
Eclipses all the external thrills of the world.
I want to love and to be loved.”
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ABOUT THE POET ~
A man of many Odysseys, Paul Hartal is a Canadian poet, author and artist born in Szeged, Hungary. His critically acclaimed books include Postmodern Light (poetry, 2006), Love Poems (2004), The Kidnapping of the Painter Miró (novel, 1997, 2001), The Brush and the Compass (1988), Painted Melodies (1983) and A History of Architecture (1972) ., In 1975 he published in Montreal A Manifesto on Lyrical Conceptualism. Lyco Art is a new element on the periodic table of aesthetics, which intertwines the logic of passion with the passion of logic. In 1980 the Lyrical Conceptualist Society hosted the First International Poetry Exhibition in Montreal., In 1978 Hartal exhibited his paintings at the Musée du Luxembourg and the Raymond Duncan Gallery in France and his canvas Flowers for Cézanne won the Prix de Paris. He also has displayed his oeuvre in museums and galleries in New York, Montreal, Budapest, as well as many other places., He approaches poetry with the credo that the heart of poetry is the poetry of the heart. A recurring theme of his recent work explores the human tragedies of wars and genocides.
Last updated March 22, 2012