greatpoetry | Contribution to Statistics

Out of a hundred people,

Those who always know better: fifty-two.
Doubting every step: almost all the rest.
Glad to lend a hand, if it doesn't take too long: as many as forty-nine.
Always good because they can't be otherwise: four, well maybe five.

Able to admire without envy: eighteen.
Led to error by youth (which passes): sixty, give or take a few.
Those not to be messed with: forty and four.
Living in constant fear of someone or something: seventy-seven.
Capable of happiness: twenty-something tops.

Harmless singly, savage in crowds: more than half for sure.
Cruel when forced by circumstances: better not to know, not even ballpark figures.
Wise after the fact: not many more than wise in foresight.
Getting nothing out of life except things: thirty (though I would like to be wrong).
Balled up in pain without a flashlight in the dark: eighty-three
sooner or later.

Those who are just: quite a few, thirty-five.
But if it takes an effort to understand: three.
Worthy of compassion: ninety-nine

Mortal: one hundred out of one hundred.
A figure that has never varied yet.