What Has Our Bitterness Done For Us

Bitter words, bitter feelings

rob us of our peace and joy.

Anger and hate build up inside

making a man into a petulant young boy.

They pout and they snarl

getting themselves all riled up.

Affecting others around them

with their overflowing cup.

A misery sets in

and their days they grow dark.

Life itself takes direction

on which we should not embark.

You look forward to nothing

and you dread the next day.

As now what's accomplished

is you've become your hates prey.

You're hunting yourself

while bringing damage to others.

Forgetting down deep

we're all meant to be brothers.

Do I speak of myself?

Yeah, sure I've done this.

But I finally did realize

I did not like the abyss.

Leaving our anger, our hate

and that bitterness behind.

Forgiveness if practiced

can bring peace to our mind.

Our transformation takes place

in ways that others will see it.

That the changes that came

were to our innermost spirit.

Through forgiveness we find

we can emerge from the pit.

Then our joy will return

and our happiness with it.

Trails

The trails of our lives have taken us places

that we would never have guessed.

Some of them not quite so pleasant

others leaving us felling quite blessed.

Often as a child they'd led to the sandlot

or playing some round ball next door.

The trails of our youth they were molding us

leaving us wanting to return just once more.

Adolescence came along a new trail came to view

it was a time of discovery with brand new ideas.

We were young, sometimes foolish

and wouldn't you know it most often without any fears.

As we grew new trails opened to the service or college

for us it was now time to choose.

Although these new paths were not set in stone

we knew at that time we hadn't a moment to lose.

These new trails would then take us

to whom we’d become.

Growing up became scary

not knowing the outcome.

We had chosen a trail and it was now ours

with twists and turns often quite hard to swallow.

Nevertheless we'd grow strong

as this trail's lessons would never be hollow.

For all that we learned along our life's trails

has brought us here to the present.

They've molded and shaped us guided and taught us

making us the person that we did reinvent.

The trails of life

they've brought us much pleasure.

Even the down times

are times we should treasure.

These trails we have followed

have taken us far.

For without both the good and the bad

we'd not be who we are.

The trails that you followed

were there for you to awaken.

So celebrate your life

and the trails you have taken.

Living in the Past

Living in the past

though some memories be kind

keeps one from moving forward

leaving them behind.

It seems as when we dwell there

our lives are put on hold

and things today don't have a way

of escaping days of old.

It's seldom that we choose this

as it comes on naturally

but once we've sat and stayed too long

we've lost reality.

So step up now to the present

live a life that's for today

moving on to a grand tomorrow

as we cannot relive yesterday.

Looking Inside The Package

On the outside may be beauty,

a handsome devil you may see

but are they real is that the deal

are they as their looks claim to be.

Your eyes may play these tricks on you

as looks do first attract

but often what you see outside

can deceive and that's a fact.

For as lovely as you see someone

that's not really who they are

it's what's inside where truth is kept

you'll learn much more by far.

What is done and what is said

is where you'll find that truth

just close your eyes for just awhile

let your ears act as they're a sleuth.

Then listen very carefully

to see if there's a heart

if you do not seem to find one

then it won't be worth the start.

We Should Never Turn Our Backs

They're red and they're yellow

they're white and they're black,

and for these differences alone

we oft turn our back?

What's wrong with us people

is it that we just cannot see,

they're just common folks

they're like you and like me.

Some are gay and some straight

some disabled as well

and when they're not quite like us

it seems we often repel.

Some are skinny some fat

and some are not so good looking,

but if you look deep inside

you'll find something stunning.

They're just people like us,

inside we're the same.

We've all been born of a woman

and given a name.

We must give each a chance

from the very first start

looking past their outsides

and search for their heart.

The heart has a habit

that will often reveal

the innermost person

the one with appeal.

Forgive, Forget, Find Joy

Each day brings with it

a chance to start over.

To reflect on our past

as we lie upon clover.

To forgive and forget

evils done unto us.

For our spirits to have peace

and avoid all the fuss.

Forgiveness it seems

is mostly for self.

So as to clear all the bitterness

from off of our shelf.

Forgetting as well

is best if we can.

To make us once more

that harmonious man.

The peace and the harmony

can then lead the way.

To a joyful filled life

that will never decay.

Words Come as Emptiness Flees

Painful lack of words

writing becomes much too hard

where have our poems gone.

Words written in haste

now make very little sense

without any flow.

They are no longer

as a body without breath

alive for others.

Emptiness resides

in a heart without feeling

our words have no life.

Those words without life

failing to bless another

become of no use.

Why do we ignore

inspiration from nature

our muse is asleep.

Once it awakens

words return to the living

joy comes to our hearts.

The words that we write

from the very first start

do not come from the head

they begin in the heart.

Meant not only for self

but for those we don't know

to strengthen and bless them

in many ways, most untold.

So we open our minds

but mostly our hearts

we must let our inner words flow

for another's healing to start.