The Cost of Engagement

The Pain of Joy

The attention of a child, with no purpose
Other than the practice of joy.

Joy cannot be bought or sold and cannot be given,
But as you are at once a pivot and a satellite
You feel both cherished and used.
And so the joy is shared
Because it is not owned.

In adulthood you own your space with orbits bought.
Still joy cannot be earned but neither is it free.
Its price is high but can be got
If you would give your soul
As security.

We never lose that thrill of being thrown into the air,
But now with no illusion we’ll be caught,
We know the cost of engagement
Is the pain of joy.

© Chris Price 2019