The speaker points out that we don\u2019t really have
much of a grasp of things, not only the big things,
the important questions, but the small everyday
things. \u201cHow many steps up to your back yard? What
is the name of your district representative? What
did you have for breakfast? What is your wife\u2019s
shoe size? Can you tell me the color of your
sweetheart\u2019s eyes? Do you remember where you
parked the car?\u201d The evidence is overwhelming.
Most of us never truly experience life. \u201cWe drift
through life in daydream, missing the true
richness and joy that life has to offer.\u201d When the
speaker has finished we gather around to sing
a few inspirational songs. You and I stand at the
back of the group and hum along since we have
forgotten most of the words.\u00a0<\/span>\n\u201cThe Speaker\u201d by Louis Jenkins, from Before You Know It: Prose Poems 1970-2005<\/i>. \u00a9 Will O\u2019 The Wisp Books. Reprinted with permission. (buy now<\/a>) <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n
![](\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_0uPSljNE9f4\/S97kDSIwB-I\/AAAAAAAAA40\/PiECELPTmYg\/s1600\/the-meaning-of-life.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div>\n