They say success
never tastes so sweet
without the sour hors d’oeuvre
of failure’s bounty;
were I but once
to taste the former
I might have some basis
to compare.
* My latest contribution to the wonderful One Shot Poetry Wednesdays! If you get the chance, be sure to check out all the other talented One Stop poets posting there – and what about yourself? If you haven’t signed up yet, and you’re among the creative…what are you waiting for?
The Waking Den 
smiles. keep failing its the only way to get to the table to eat…nice one shot chris!
Smooth wit with depth, Chris. Reads like a qreat quotation in your stately-sounding self-deprecation.
deep truth in this chris – think we learn most from our failures – though success is a nice piece of chocolat every once and a while..smiles
happy one shot my friend
heady irony here Chris, smooth lines!
there is success in your words…appreciate the appreciation
Peace, hp
I think perhaps tonight you may taste it… well done Chris!
Well done. Similar to people who’ve told me rich people have their problems too. Would like to find out what they are.
I know the feeling. loved the ending.
Chris, I really love these short well crafted pieces of yours that encapsulate a single thought. How the hell did you get so good so young kiddo?
Ah if only! Know the feeling, my friend. Well stated message, concise and smooth piece. If nothing else, you should allow yourself to savor the success you achieved here.
Good stuff, Chris! I always enjoy what you have to say 🙂
My French is rusty, but “that’s Life” indeed, Chris. You’ve distilled the thoughts of a young man waiting – maybe not so patiently – to taste the best that Life can offer. Just keep working your way around the buffet table, young poet, you’re in for a sumptuous feast. Thank you.
“sour hors d’oeuvre” I really, really, like this combo.
I enjoyed your poem- small in space, big in emotion (truth?).
You know how I feel about your work Chris. I’d love to read more of your work sometime again. Post more often?
Hi Chris
A very interesting thought here.. yes I agree that you need to have the taste of success to really understand how contrasting it is from failure.. just like the light’s existence and knowing itself depends on the presence of darkness…
Thanks for an interesting thought here…
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com/2011/03/whispers-love-and-insignificance.html
Connect me at Twitter @VerseEveryDay
Short yet succinct. I really like it.
an ordinary moment
Chuckle, indeed! Great short-line phrasing, really flows nicely, too.
Hor d’oeuvres? I suppose. Daily entree? No way. Wonder if we’d all feel a little more successful if we lowered our standards just a tad…
Aahh.. some cynicism there.. and yet it feels so honest and true..
Really liked this one, Chris.. it spoke to me..
May the best be with you, my friend…
xoxo
“sour hors d’oeuvre of failure’s bounty”…pretty clever (and may I say successful turn of a phrase. Well done, Vb
‘c’est la vie’, a shrug and we move on. But do we, really? And you captured both in this compact poem. Thanks, Chris!
This is very cool and clever!
This is great, Chris. Wit and wisdom in a sandwich of life. Very clever.
Tasty ironic aphorism. I enjoyed it.
That was wonderful. And I especially liked this phrase: “sour hors d’oeuvre of failure’s bounty;”
How thoughtful… enjoy your next carry-out meal.