A question that philosophers have asked since time began
Is, What's the definition of the truly 'Average Man'?
And I have often sought to solve this riddle, so profound,
Because it seems in mundane life, uncommon men abound!
And yet, it seems, there is a goal to which so many strive.
There is a common purpose which will keep our hopes alive.
And though it is a paradox which makes such little sense,
The best of us will do it, and without the least pretense.
Consider first, the little babe who's born outside the town,
Surrounded by green countryside, where cares are thistledown.
His youth will be completely free from cities brimming strife.
And all would say he'll live that way, contented with his life.
But no! He'll do without some comforts, save the most he can
Until he has enough set by to join his fellow man,
And then he'll buy a city house just for the girl he loves,
And they will live for just a while, a pair of turtledoves.
But when the family comes along, the city will oppress,
And day by day material things will satisfy him less.
Then once again he'll start to save, preparing for the day
When he can buy a piece of land, and live The quiet way!
And so the clock will make its rounds for this man and his wife.
He'll stand with her and look around and think, This is the life!
And he'll forget that as a boy he'd lived this way before,
But he had always thought that there must still be something more.
I wonder who will recognize himself in what I write?
Are you that man who stands and thinks, Oh! How I wish I might!
Are you that average man who yearns for something out of reach,
Or have you learned the lessons that another's life can teach?
Don Mulford