I really enjoyed Bekah’s poem, but I wasn’t sure how to respond to it at the time of its posting, as Masøn’s response encapsulated what my reaction was.
This past evening I wrote what I intended to be a rap song, but I haven’t found a good tune for it yet, so I’ll just post it here as a poem for now. (Pardon the near-rhymes; they sound more like real rhymes when I recite them aloud.) It’s not a direct response to Bekah’s poem, but the fact that she wrote a poem indirectly encouraged me to write this poem. Without further adieu:
Perspective
You know, there are many lyrics out there
That cater to the depressed, those in despair,
But I would rather hear sung a stellar song
About those who persevered long and came out strong
The people who could’ve quit
But they didn’t even think of it
The people who chose to sacrifice
Their feelings in order to survive
They glance at their troubles, then begin movement
Seeking for optimal ways to work through them
Choosing to concentrate on what comes once they’re solved
Instead of the present pain that drains them of resolve.
Some of you receiving my communication
Are focused on your failures and your frustrations
But I’m telling you to focus on something bigger
Because there’s more to life than worry and fear.
Do you know how many deadly germs abound?
Yet we survive and thrive as if they weren’t around
Because it doesn’t matter the strength of the foe
If inside of you lies the antidote
Stop dwelling on your problems and your insecurities
Acknowledge them, address them, but then let these
Words of wisdom be your guiding light:
The shadow of a guy in a t-rex suit can’t bite.
You may have real problems, but if you aren’t dead
Then it’s obvious to me that God’s not finished yet
Push yourself forward while time is still ticking
Consider yourself blessed for the life that you’re living
So many people have gone to the grave
Wishing they had the chance to switch with your place
So count your blessings and look to endure this stage
That when you come out of it, you may encourage
Others who suffer with a short-sighted perspective
For someday you’ll be able to offer this directive:
Ask not, “What can I do???” but “What can I do?”
That viewpoint on life will help get you through
For it’s not about the gifts you have currently
But the things that you do with them, for assuredly
No one achieves by merely having capability
Rather it’s those who do, despite any inability.
Now as you go, consider the words I have uttered
And remember that everyone who has lived has suffered
But those who’ve succeeded chose not to dwell
On the past nor on others nor on the hypothetical
They instead focused on what God had blessed them with
And they used the “here and now” to positively influence
The world encompassing them and the future conditions
Of all those affected by their present actions.
Fix what you can, delegate as you need,
Control what is yours, and be relieved
That it’s not your job to worry about
The things you can’t control. Message over; I’m out.
