Balance is a Lie

Two old men sat before me, one rich, one poor, both lost in thought. I asked them about love and wealth. The rich man spoke first. Love, he said, is what I never truly had. I had partners, but I could not give them myself. I had money in excess, but no time to stay. I was always running to provide, never stopping to belong. The poor man followed. I had love that turned bitter, love that endured, love money could never dim. I chased wealth, but it ran from me. So I held tighter to the ones who stayed. I asked them how to have both. They said love is a hunting dog cursed to always catch what it chases. Wealth is the prey cursed to never be caught. So whichever road I take, whatever rope I pull, the scale will not balance. So I shake the scale and enjoy both, however briefly they last.