Every hour has its cost
In roads not taken, jobs not done
Infinities of options lost,
Of time not spent on work or fun.

Comparative advantage frees
The insect just to play one role
It’s fine for ants or honeybees,
But humans need more to be whole.

To test ourselves, with brawn and brain
To make what we could well afford—
I’ll treasure every stress and strain,
I’d rather struggle than be bored.

So here’s to inefficiency,
To life not optimized, refined
That foregoes mere proficiency
For endless growth of heart and mind.