Things We Learn

I used to think that bread was free,

Like gas and electricity,

Until one day my father said,

“There’s no such thing as buckshee bread.”

I used to think that water ran

To quench the thirst of every man,

And every man could have a wash

In every stream – that too was tosh.

I used to think that thought was free –

Ideas were like apples on a tree –

Till Japhet and Happy were caught and tortured

For scrumping apples in the orchard.

I always thought the air was free –

It made no sense to charge a fee

For something that’s a gift of God.

My father laughed:  “You little sod!

“These things aren’t here to satisfy your

Appetites, nor gratify your

Soul. Eden was a market garden –

Winter wrath and summer pardon

“Grew in abundance on the ground;

Repentance flourished all year round.

Outside the eastern gate wild rice

Grew, and fetched a handsome price.”

I used to think that love was free,

That love’s delight would just come to me:

It is, it did, I’m glad to say –

And if it weren’t free, I’d gladly pay!