Belinda Stotler

Life conceived unseen by the naked eye,
Growing in dark solitude seeking light,
Unaware that love patiently waits nearby.
Finally bursting forth to a wondrous sight,
Of incredible beauty and colorful gleam,
And adoring expressions on tender faces.
Seeming more like a breathtaking dream,
With jubilant voices and gentle embraces.

Sheltered and guided as life's journey begins,
Learning what is right and what is wrong,
Punished, yet forgiven for most little sins,
Discovering that love is life's sweet song,
Learning to have respect for others and self,
Being kind and supportive to those in need.
Storing lovely pictures on memory's shelf,
That plant deep in the soul a special seed.

For wisdom grows along life's winding trail,
From experiences that are often redundant.
As some ventures succeed, while others fail.
We either feel life's blessings are abundant,
Or we're filled with utter, hopeless despair.
Throughout our life's span we learn to cope,
For we come to realize love is always there,
Offering us support, compassion and hope.

As life completes a journey to the setting sun,
In an eternal march through a speck in time,
Life seems over before it has hardly begun,
Ending long before some reach their prime.
Although it's not how long, but how one lives,
That remains a part of our family and friends,
For memories and love are the gifts life gives,
And is what sustains until life's journey ends.

When time comes for the final rest,
And death darkens life's shining eyes,
Loved ones with sorrow in their breast,
Weep and lay flowers where a body lies.
Some know another journey has begun,
Across the sea to a peaceful white shore,
Where light shines brighter than the sun,
And love waits from all who went before.

Life finished as seen from the naked eye,
Soul roaming into darkness seeking light,
Wondering whether love awaits nearby,
Finally bursting forth to a wondrous sight
Of incredible beauty and colorful gleam,
And adoring expressions on familiar faces.
Seeming more like a breathtaking dream,
With jubilant voices and gentle embraces.

Jealousy is such an ugly beast,
Consuming in a ruthless feast,
Every thought of rational notions
Or capacity for gentler emotions,
Filling the heart with resentment
That denies it any contentment.

Jealousy born from inane fictions,
Rains down its cruel maledictions
On the victim of its ravenous rage.
It tries the skills of the wisest sage
To end jealousy's condemnation,
Saving its author from damnation.

The jealous person's egoistic infection
Is a fear of losing another's affection.
Their mind is consumed with emotion,
Demanding they have total devotion.
A jealous heart is a foe that conspires
Against the very one it deeply desires.

The jealous heart can turn to hate,
Authoring its own indignant fate.
For jealousy finds it hard to bear
The joy and love others can share.
So, a jealous heart will foolishly steal
Away all the love that it longs to feel.

Could there be a world of caring?
Offering our goodwill and sharing
Makes this world a finer place.
Pitying the broken of our race
Allows our hearts to understand.
Steady courage makes us stand
Strong against cruel human hate.
Inspiring others changes their fate,
Opening doors that give them hope.
Nurturing compassion helps us cope.

Kindred spirits are easier to find
If we will listen with an open mind.
Noticing others need a helping hand,
Doing selfless deeds when we can,
Not hesitating to do what is right,
Each of us can be a beacon of light,
Strengthening those with dire needs.
Spreading kindness sows many seeds.

Each of us has a valuable role to play,
Making a concerted effort so we may
Pay it forward for what we've received.
Apathy is a notion that is ill-conceived
That makes some ignore another's pain,
Helping only if there is material gain,
Yet, those with empathy never refrain.

Supporting those bearing painful sorrow,
Yearning to find hope again in tomorrow,
Moves us to find a path to a better day.
Providing light to show them the way
Allows us to see the good within our race
That resides deep within a heartfelt place.
Helping us soothe and heal what is wrong
Yields some comfort with sympathy's song.

Hope rises from compassion and sympathy.
Using our empathy helps us defeat apathy,
Moving us to open our hearts and minds,
Allowing us to create harmony that binds;
Never forgetting kindness benefits us all,
Instills a desire that breaks a dividing wall
That lets our humanity make us clearly see
You and I are the answer - we are the key!