A Life In The Day Of An Also-Ran

In an ageing morning  
a larger life unlived  
they took a graded turning  
and set the boat adrift  
   
then dozing on the shore-line  
merely basked and bathed  
to cover up the insult  
that seasoned all the rage  
   
but scorpions, remaining true  
who knew this route so well  
were not disturbed at all, you know,  
by private little hells  
   
the tide came in still resolute  
and so the dance began …  
a billion people, then some more  
the ones who also ran.