I finished writing a book of poetry called Worth a while back and I thought that I would insert the poems as comments of this post. A little background- I wrote many of these poems on my mission in place of journal keeping. I hope that you enjoy them!
Worth
ReplyDeleteI hope that this book of poetry can help each of us define our worth in a healthier way. The goal is to help us maintain a positive outlook while keeping our head out of the clouds.
Life is full of irony and what would appear to be contradiction. The trick is finding the truth that lies within apparent contradiction. The test of true intelligence is the ability to take two opposing elements and finding truth in both.
This book is dedicated to Experience.
Worth and perspective are one in the same. How do we gain value while maintaining the proper perspective, without fooling ourselves.
WORTH
less
Once there was a dime
Who had lost its shine
And didn’t think it was worth very much.
Then along came a penny,
So shiny and ready
To show the world its stuff.
The penny asked the dime,
“Why do you live in grime?
Be happy, you’re worth ten times more than I.”
“But what about the quarter,
I’m so much shorter.”
The dime replied and began to cry.
“Cheer up” said the penny.
“Though you’re not worth as many
We need each just the way we are.
If we were all a quarter or dollar,
There’d be no boarder, what a bother;
And no one would get too far.”
So be like the penny,
Though not worth as many
He had a good attitude.
Thus he was renewed
Because he didn’t feud
In that place in life which he stood.
How is it that we always see in others what we don’t like about ourselves. Most often it is our similarities that cause conflict, not our differences.
ReplyDeleteMirror
“I hate you”
Said the mirror to me one day
“You do everything I hate
What’s left to say?”
“You’re too skinny,
You’re too fat
You smell funny
You’re dumber than a bat”
“Your toes are too large
Your ears are too small
Your eyes are too close together
You’re clumsy, you fall”
“I hate you”
My friend said to me one day
“You do everything I hate
What’s left to say?”
“You smell like vomit
Your cloths are out of date
Your hair is out of style
You are always too late”
“I love you”
Said the mirror to me one day
“You do everything I love,
What’s left to say?”
“You look good,
You’re just right.
You’re understood,
You’re quite a sight.”
“I love you”
My friend said to me one day
“You do everything I love
What’s left to say?”
Worth is often based in this world upon what we can do. There is no greater worth than blessing the lives of others.
ReplyDeleteFair
“I’m so plumbing picked on”
Said the Pansy to the Pair.
“Here I am drinking from a vase,
Life just isn’t fare.”
“All I’m used for is my beauty,
People don’t care what’s inside.
They just want to be happy,
Who cares if I wither and die?”
“Too bad, some might say,
So sad others suggest.
But in the end I’m used and abused,
And dead like all the rest.”
“Well” said the Pair,
“The joy is in the giving.
Though I sacrifice myself, how sweet,
I keep on living.”
“Forget yourself and go to work
And shine for the world to see!
All they may do is take,
But all the happier you will be.”
“They’re brightened by your presence,
And lifted by your love.
Because of the beauty you show
As a gift from God above.”
“Just give, said the pair
Expect nothing for your care.
And the happiness you receive
Will be worth the despair.”
Our individual worth is not based upon the pride we can muster. Our worth is based on what we offer in order to make a whole.
ReplyDeleteFind Your Place
I saw a note hung in the air
And wondered what it was doing there.
“Go and join into the song
That’s sung to which you belong!”
But it stayed and hung in the air
Until I began to despair.
“The song that’s sung to which you belong
Can’t play the right way, it will all sound wrong.”
But still the note hung in the air
Blatantly disobeying with a haughty glare.
“I’m not appreciated over there
So I’ll hang here till I’m played fare!”
“Be careful or you’ll get replaced!
We’ll sing the song that is faced!
Whether you’re here or there or unaware,
The song will be sung that isn’t fair!”
“So choose the spot and cast your lot
Because with or without you, we’ll shoot the shot.
So do not hang, go out and ring!
Because with or without you,
The song will sing!”
Leadership
ReplyDeleteGot Leadership?
How long will your leadership last?
Love vs. Fear
You cannot lead in this world
But those who respect or fear you.
It is also difficult for and Lord
To lead those to whom he’s near to.
The greater one led with love
So whether near or far,
The perfect love from above
Was as a distant star.
Yet warmed as the sun
On a steamy hot day,
That perfect love
In its great display.
Yet even still, people like cold
And love shown to some will still grow old.
Thus our Savior was crucified
The greatest leader suffered and died.
That’s Crazy! How can that be?
Our perfect example hung on a tree!
He led with love suffering,
Can this really be God our King?
How great is the leader that leads
With respect and ongoing fear.
For he’ll conquer on earth his enemies,
Conquering them here.
But great leaders are here and gone,
Forgotten in their pages.
The greater leaders still live on,
Their love lasting throughout the ages.
Where are your treasures, here or there?
In your leading, everyone will see.
They will either have respect and fear,
Or a great love in their hearts there will be.
Jesus led with love, suffering,
“Great men”, bring fear and live like a “king.”
A paradox within that great men can’t know
How that one is lifted above the heavens
As they move below.
Purify yourself and lead with love,
Showing faith in God above.
Follow our Savior, and you will see
How ever enduring love can be.
You are only as good of a leader as you are a follower.
ReplyDeleteLaws of Leading
An ant one day
Began to complain
About the work that he did
So he went to his boss
And put up a fuss
Telling him he was stupid
“I work all day
And never get paid
For what, I don’t understand”
“Just switch me spots
And I’ll call the shots
I’ll be the leader of the band”
So the ant was the boss
For a day or two
Then the other ants fussed
I want to lead through
So everyone began to lead
No on followed any other
Each thinking they were freed
From the oppression of there brother
Each going here and there
Getting nothing done
Each leading their own sphere
And having lots of fun
In Confusion
Usually, it’s just not important!
ReplyDeleteWho’s Right?
Look at that cloud
See, it’s a boat
Sailing across the ocean blue.
No says another,
See, it’s a goat
Wanting to drink from those waters too.
Wait, says another
It’s, a duck, no a fish,
Wanting to swim in the lake above.
No, states the fourth,
It’s an Italian dish
My mother makes with all her love.
So they all began to argue
As the clouds blew away.
A boat, a goat, a fish, a dish,
They argued all day.
And into the night
They still gave their opinions.
As if it were fact
And had all dominion.
Then the next day
There was a new set of clouds
They began arguing away,
Each set and proud.
They argued so much
Their faces turned red.
Getting so upset
They all fell over dead.
Over Clouds
When egotism overcomes unity, no real progress is made no matter how it is justified.
ReplyDeleteUnity
What’s the purpose of the game,
Is it really all one in the same?
Is it for fame, claim, and glory
So that one can have a story?
Or is it for a different purpose,
One beneath an ordinary surface?
Is this game to Kill or Die,
Win or Cry,
Fall or Fly?
Or is this game for something more,
Something more than just a score?
Does this game serve a purpose,
Other than what’s on the surface?
Yes it should!
To help uplift one another
So each can call the other his brother.
When we focus on the outside surface
The game actually loses its real purpose.
Though we must try, it’s not Fall or Fly,
Win or Cry,
Kill or Die.
It’s to help uplift one another,
So that each can call the other his brother.
And if we lose that focus from sight,
We can always try as we might
To be happy and free from care,
But I hope you see this is Satan’s Snare!
So let’s try to uplift one another,
Notice each other,
Help each other,
So that each can call the other
His eternal friend and brother.
The Silver Bells of Heaven
ReplyDeleteI heard the bells, and they reminded me of you.
Oh they ring true, Oh they ring true.
They ring strong even when times are blue.
How I love you, how I love you.
You are courageous and strong
Through thick and thin!
This sweet rings your song
Because you will win!
Just as these bells, through rain or shine,
Grit and grime,
Patience and time,
Keep ringing and singing their sweet little chime.
You keep going and showing
The world your kind
Of spirit, we hear it
All of the time!
You stand as a pillar of strength for many
Whose faith has wavered under trials less waning.
The bells song is your song so bright and strong,
Sing your song! Sing your song!
Keep on singing! Keep on singing!
Keep on ringing! Keep on ringing!
Oh love is true! Oh love is true!
You’ll conquer and win,
So keep up your chin!
Ring loud and strong,
Keep up your song!
And in the last day
When many others fade away,
Your ring will bring hope
To help many to cope
With those trials of life
That brings so much strife.
They’ll hear your ring
And they’ll want to sing!
Then the beauty of the chorus,
Where bells are ringing loud for us!
Because we’ve helped many others to ring
How great will be our state before God our King!
All the bells in heaven will chime,
And you and I, and many others will shine!
So just keep singing! Just keep singing!
Just keep ringing! Just keep ringing!
How blessed are those who ring through the night,
Who keep up the fight,
Who try with there might,
Through thick and thin
Because they will win!
Just stand true! Ring true! All the way through!
Show God and the world what you can do!
How I Love You, How I Love You.
Dedicated to My Angel Mother
Perspective
ReplyDeleteLife is ridiculously hard. But once you realize that everyone is hit the same way, it’s not so bad anymore. Sometimes it’s funny! Just have fun with it!
Life’s A Giant
Ah finally, some peace and quiet.
No, look out, another giant!
One more to conquer and fall,
Whew, that was a close call.
Once again, life is smooth,
I’ve gotten in another groove.
Oh, I’m out again, running around
Trying to restore life the way it was found.
There are no more curves to be given,
Until over my toe, someone has driven.
Back again out of my groove,
Why do I ever have to move?
Life is sweet and then it’s bad.
Life is good and then it’s sad.
Life is easy, and then it’s hard,
It doesn’t matter whatever hand or card.
Life bumps and jumps and giggles and wiggles,
It’s silly and happy and bad and sad.
The best are the people who
Jump when life bumps.
Who
Giggle when life wiggles.
Who are silly and happy
And overcome the sad when life’s bad.
Because regardless what you do,
One day a giant will come for you.
And if you’re not prepared,
You’d better beware.
Just
Jump when life bumps.
Giggle when life wiggles.
Be silly and happy
And easily you’ll overcome
The sad when life’s bad.
When more just isn’t happening, stop wishing and start experiencing the small beautiful changes and the cool wind.
ReplyDeleteOne Big Red Apple
One Big Red Apple
Swinging Too and Fro
Clinging to its Branch
Feeling The Wind Blow
One Big Red Apple
Hanging on the Tree
Wanting to Roll Around the World
Longing to be Free
One Big Red Apple
Falling to the ground
Rolling Twenty Feet
Stopping Without a sound,
Waiting to be found.
One Big Red Apple
Sitting in the Shade
Wondering What Was Coming Next
Feeling a Little Afraid
One Big Red Apple
Baked Into a Pie
Prepared, Sweetened, and Eaten,
I Would Not Tell a Lie
One Big Red Apple
Who Wanted Something Different
But He’s Happy Now, So Do Not Frown
-Completion- He Was Sent.
Appreciate Life As It Comes
The Outcome Is Still the Same.
A life without experience equals an empty human being. Experience is what we are made for, trials are only imagined.
ReplyDeleteWhat is a trial?
Eden
There is a place where people go
To get away from the show.
It’s far away up in the sky
Where people are who’ll never die.
They’ll never know the sorrow of living,
But they’ll never know the joy of giving.
They’ll never know the anguish of soul,
But they’ll never have the chance to grow.
They’ll keep using what wasn’t earned
With nothing gained and nothing learned.
They’ll never need, so they’ll never worry,
They’ll never know what it’s like to hurry.
They’ll peaceful whist their time away,
Never knowing what it’s like to play.
For they’ve never worked so how could they know,
Because they’ve all gotten out of the show.
They’ll never live and never die
Which leads me to ask the question why?
Why would I want to live that way?
There are things to be learned to enjoy today!
Grateful I am for this life to try
To grow my own wings so I can fly.
I’ll fly up away from the show,
Taking the experience so I can know.
For they’ll never know what it’s like to fly
Because they’ve never had the courage to try.
For they’ve always lived in a peaceful state
Everything handed them on a gold plate.
So when it comes time to leave this earth,
Grateful I’ll be for this worldly birth.
For let me tell you tears grow wings,
And lead you to much better things.
Don’t let fear control you.
ReplyDeleteBut don’t be an idiot.
Monster
A monster came out of my closet last night
It scares me to death, and so each time I hide
I hide underneath my covers and hope
That the monster doesn’t know how to lift blankets up
I don’t like monsters because they scare me
I don’t know why I have to deal with them
I don’t know why I’m afraid of them
I don’t like to be hurt I guess
So I hide underneath the blankets
Hoping that the monster doesn’t know how to lift blankets up
This happens all of the time, not just last night
I don’t know what to do in order to get rid of the monster
While I’m underneath the blankets
My imagination runs wild
Ferocious teeth and crazy eyes
Why do there have to be monsters?
Perhaps one day, I’ll take the blanket off of my head
Facing the monster head on
It probably won’t eat me or hurt me
But who’s to say for sure!
For now I’ll stay under my blanket
I’m sure that there is a monster out there…
Until I’m ready … Maybe there’s no monster …
Maybe it’s all in my head…
But who’s to say for sure!
Where’s the point I face my fears
Without facing stupidity
How do I tell a real monster from a fake one
Without getting my head bit off.
Answer:
Move Forward With Faith
With fear aside, faith can take its true course. Faith is what fuels the future.
ReplyDeleteIs It True
Is it true, I wonder?
So many voices like thunder
Ringing in my ears,
Confusing, bringing out my fears.
Then there’s that sweet soft spirit
Whispering what is right.
Comforting despite the noise around,
I HANG TIGHT!
There is familiarity
To those things that are true.
And I begin to see more clearly
As I push though.
My eyes begin to open,
My doubts begin to flee
As I keep on trying
And plead on bended knee.
My faith is what carries me
To higher ground,
And as I look at the cliffs conquered
My gratitude is profound.
Though I don’t understand at times
The things I’m going through.
I look to God not doubting,
And do what he wants me to do.
I know he’ll carry me through.
Attitude
ReplyDeleteLife is about doing. More importantly, life is about doing what you say you’re going to do when you say you’re going to do it.
The Story of Murtle
I once met a turtle,
Her name was murtle,
And she didn’t go very fast.
You could push her on her way
And it would take her all day
To go and finish a task.
You could set up a date
But she’d always be late
Holding up any show.
She would just take her time
Like everything was fine
She just wouldn’t go!
Finally one day
One toe was taken away,
Just vanishing in mid air.
And one by one,
They were all gone,
She complained, “Well this isn’t fair!”
Pretty soon it got worse
And she ended up in a hearse
But when you looked inside,
There was nothing there,
It was all bare
Because the turtle never tried.
So if you want to keep your toes
Be on time for all your shows.
Keep on trying and don’t be lazy
Or you might disappear
Into thin air,
Now that’s not so crazy.
Without vision, there is no end to emptiness.
ReplyDeleteOpinionless
Once there was a someone
With no opinion at all.
“What’s your name Johnny asked?”
And someone said, “It’s your call.”
Someone went on a date
And Lizzy asked, “Where are we going?”
“That depends on you”, someone responded,
Not really knowing.
He had no opinion on where he went
He just wandered around.
He didn’t care if he was early or late,
He was just where he was found.
One day Billy said,
“Hey loser, get lost”
Since someone didn’t have an opinion,
He didn’t mind being bossed.
So he went away to a never place
Where we never saw someone again.
Because he never had an opinion,
It never mattered to him.
Attitude makes or breaks a relationship. But more importantly it makes or breaks you.
ReplyDeleteThe Hole of Selfishness
There is a never ending Hole
That has a never ending pull.
It begins when people start to drag
Each other down, it’s an easy snag.
And happiness never dwelt there.
One is dissatisfied with the other
And doesn’t want them to come out ahead.
So they each begin to pick and pull,
Until all happiness is dead.
They’ve each done their job
For the other is miserable.
Thus begins the Hole
Blackness quite considerable.
Neither wants to give
For they think if they do,
The other will get ahead
So they stick together like glue.
Pulling and dropping
Hurting and stopping
Either ones progression.
They hit and they spit,
One giant fit,
It’s a great big obsession.
The hole begins to close
As one or the other
Forgets their selfish self,
Becoming the lover.
It doesn’t matter who started it,
Or whose fault it is.
If it doesn’t stop both will be destroyed
By the big black abyss.
Be a lover not a puller
And quickly you will see
The happiness you give of yourself
You’ll be completely free!
Regardless of what the other does,
With no hole, you’ll be whole.
Do it for yourself.
Lift! Don’t Pull!
Gluttony is often produced by a lack of appreciation.
ReplyDeleteThanksgiving
Little Laddy
Was a fatty
Because he ate too much.
He’d eat all day
Taking no time to pray
To sit and bless his lunch.
He ate and ate
Till it was much too late
Till he nearly died.
He was just too fat
Because he only ate and sat
Food that was deep fried.
One day after his fifth meal
He looked into the mirror,
And he couldn’t see his eyes.
Just a fatty forehead
He then began to dread,
He couldn’t even touch his thighs!
He’d become so big
They had to rig
A machine just so he could move around.
Because he stuffed his face
And never took time to say grace
He put on pound after pound.
My advice then to you
Is to watch what you do,
Being grateful for what God’s giving.
Or you’ll end up like laddy
One big fatty,
He was too busy taking,
Never Thanking, Never Living.
Morals
ReplyDeleteDon’t make life more complicated than it already is. Be willing to recognize that sometimes it just plain isn’t complicated!
Fishy
I saw a fish
Jump into a pool
Swim around a bit
It was nice and cool
Mama came out
To watch the fish swim
Then she began to shout
Time for din din!
But the fish ignored her
And continued to swim about
Until mama came again
And continued to shout
This happened again
But the fish didn’t stop
Until mama dropped the fishy’s towel in the pool
Kerplop!
Fine stay in the pool
You naughty little fish
Before your food gets cool
I’m going to eat your dish!
The moral of the stories quite clear you see
There’s a time to eat and a time to be fishy!
The naughty little fish ran inside
Even though he couldn’t get dried
He slipped into his chair
As mama shook her head
Hurry up and eat your food
And then get ready for bed!
Everyone needs to remember who is really in charge.
ReplyDeleteA Sinking Boat
Life can be a sinking boat,
That I can’t seem keep afloat.
I drill a hole here and there,
Until they are up and down and everywhere.
So in order to keep up above the water
I have to work so much harder.
A finger for one hole, a toe for another,
Until I’m all occupied, “Oh Brother!”
I can’t see where I’m going to guide my boat,
I’m using all of my energy just to keep it afloat!
“Help! I’m drowning, there are so many holes!”
I can’t keep up to obtain my goals?
“Someone please help my drowning little boat,
I can”t manage to keep it afloat!
Wait! Who’s that coming toward me?
He’s walking on water, perhaps he can set me free!”
He began to bail me out of my mess,
Dissipate my burdens and relieve my stress.
He repaired the holes, releasing my toes,
Until all was fixed, and so I arose.
“My Savior, Redeemer you saved my boat!
Repaired the holes I made and kept me afloat.
Thanks forever for fixing the holes,
So that I can keep above water and obtain my goals.
What can I do to repay thee?
I’ll love you forever for setting me free.
I’ll keep my boat above water and quit drilling holes
Guiding people to Thee so that they can reach their goals!
When your boats not afloat and you’re barely above water
Remember the repair man, Jesus, Our loving Savior.
And
Quit Drilling Holes!
Life is about love, and love is about perspective. Without perspective we are nothing but self obsessed creatures with nothing better to do than take, rather than create.
ReplyDeleteLive Today
Sweet sounds of laughter fill the air,
Taking away the feelings of despair;
From a lost yesterday, I look towards tomorrow,
And enjoy the music that releases my sorrow.
The here and now is what matters to me.
I enjoy it and live it to make me free.
For if I were to live in the years of yesterday,
I would miss the live laughter, my hair would turn gray.
The sweet music of the soul is hear and now.
The memories of the past only cast a shadow
On today, so if we’re not careful and remember to live,
We will always be a taker, and never give.
The End
There are as many more poems to be written as there are lessons to be learned in life. I can’t wait for life to be written!