Life Lesson Poems - Page 2
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21. As You Go Through Life
Don't look for the flaws as you go through life;
And even when you find them,
It is wise and kind to be somewhat blind
And look for the virtue behind them.
For the cloudiest night has a hint of light
Somewhere in its shadows hiding;
It is better by far to hunt for a star,
Than the spots on the sun abiding.
The current of life runs ever away
To the bosom of God's great ocean.
Don't set your force 'gainst the river's course
And think to alter its motion.
Don't waste a curse on the universe--
Remember it lived before you.
Don't butt at the storm with your puny form,
But bend and let it go o'er you.
The world will never adjust itself
To suit your whims to the letter.
Some things must go wrong your whole life long,
And the sooner you know it the better.
It is folly to fight with the Infinite,
And go under at last in the wrestle;
The wiser man shapes into God's plan
As water shapes into a vessel.Latest Shared StorySometimes life goes up and down between hills and rivers, but with even the least courage and a sign of faith in the turn we make at the sharp curve, it all levels up to positivity no matter...
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22. Temperance
Poem About Having ComposureGet annoyed with someone
And explode in fury
But later after calming down
You'd look back
On the huffing and the puffing
And the ranting
And the chanting,
Only to wonder,
What was I thinking?
Get smitten with someone
And lose all sense of judgement
But when their true colour emerges
You'd look back
On the pleasing and the teasing
And the needing
And the pleading,
Only to wonder,
What was I thinking?
Get let down on an expectation
And end up frustrated
But later when things work out
You'd look back
On the fretting and the sweating
And the scurrying
And the worrying,
Only to wonder,
What was I thinking?
But if in the heat of the moment
We can pray for the grace
To maintain a clear head
And a quiet heart
To control the thrilling or feeling
Or the raving
Or the craving.
Later, we won't have to wonder,
"What was I thinking?" -
23. The Irreplaceable
Not Wasting Time In LifeIf you foolishly spend your money,
you can always earn some more.
If you happen to melt your sundae,
there's plenty more at the store.
If you happen to wreck your bike,
you can get one just alike.
Carelessly drop your candy bar?
The candy store's not very far.
But when you're old and look to the past,
wondering how it went so fast,
You realize all things you waste,
that of time you can never replace. -
24. Greed
Poem About Greed And MoneyWhen we were born with no possession.
The love received was our concession.
No worries, no fears, no troubles, no fuss.
In mother's arms we put our trust.
But as we grew, we looked and craved,
and all too soon became enslaved.
The more we saw, the more we wanted.
Our quest for more became undaunted.
Our thirst for more could not be quenched.
The more we grasped, the tighter we clenched.
We scampered and gathered and gathered to hoard.
Possessions became our master and lord.
And when we're old with our treasures all heaped,
a sad example of what greed has reaped.
Our fists still clenched in a grasping motion,
till at our death, when our hands are opened.Latest Shared StoryWow, this poem reminds me of one of my uncles who was all about his accomplishments. He chased after money till he couldn't. Lying on his hospital bed breathing his last, he realized life...
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25. The Perfect Little Town
Appearances Can Be DeceivingThe little town was the perfect little town,
Where never would you see even one little frown.
No matter where you'd go around town to stroll,
There were perfect little houses, all in a perfect row.
It was the perfect town, till you crossed the tracks,
Where there were rows and rows of dirty little shacks.
The people who lived there lived just outside,
Just outside of the perfect little town. -
26. A Poison Tree
I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
And I waterd it in fears
Night & morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine,
And into my garden stole,
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning glad I see
My foe outstretchd beneath the tree.Latest Shared StoryA Poison Tree is a short and deceptively simple poem about repressing anger and the consequences of doing so. The speaker tells of how they fail to communicate their wrath to their foe and...
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27. Life Will Bloom When It Is Ready
I keep pulling
on my roots
urging them to grow
impatient for the bloom
and the sunshine
and the growth
but it doesn’t work like that
tears flow, soil drenches and dries
there have to be some slower days
some rainfall, even snow
—life will bloom when it is ready
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28. Wisdom's Woods
Learn From Everything That HappensFor every time I've failed,
For every time I've screwed up,
For every time I've said, "I'm Sorry,"
And for every time I've not.
For every heart I've broken,
For every stone unturned,
For every one I've damaged
Due to an action or spoken word.
No, I'm not a loser.
I know I am no failure.
Some things take longer to learn.
In the end, I'll have things mastered.
Regret? I've had aplenty.
Self-loathing? I've lived that, too.
Walked away too many times,
Stepping closer to something new.
I know where I'm going.
I'm taking longer than I should,
But these setbacks are not failures,
Only detours through Wisdom's Woods.
Latest Shared StoryI love this poem! It speaks about how to get through the difficulties of facing failure. I really like it!
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29. Be Proud Of Who You Are
I Am UniqueI come with no wrapping or pretty pink bows.
I am who I am, from my head to my toes.
I tend to get loud when speaking my mind.
Even a little crazy some of the time.
I'm not a size 5 and don't care to be.
You can be you and I can be me.
I try to stay strong when pain knocks me down.
And the times that I cry are when no one's around.
To error is human or so that's what they say.
Well, tell me who's perfect anyway.Latest Shared StoryI love this poem! People are always trying to fit in and be normal. I've always disregarded being "normal." What's the point? Why would I be someone I am not? I am perfectly happy the way I...
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30. Never Say That Word
Don't Use The Word HateIt is a small word
with a big bite,
the worst ever heard;
it is just not polite.
If you could hold it,
it would feel like a ton.
Beware not to use it;
it hurts, even in fun.
It never feels nice.
It should never be heard.
Please take my advice
and use another word.
You know how it feels
when someone says it to you.
It takes forever to heal,
even though it's not true.
You must not forget.
Never make that mistake.
You will live with regret
if you use the word HATE. -
31. As Time Passes
Poem On Time Going By So FastAs the seconds pass,
We look back
At what our lives have held.
As the minutes pass,
We see what fell through the cracks.
Parts of our lives we withheld.
As the hours pass,
We think of what we learned,
What we have taught,
What we have forgot.
As the days pass,
We wish a lot could be returned.
We wish we would have never fought
You hope they forget me not.
As years pass,
You stand alone.
They have all grown,
Married and gone
Or on their own.
As your life passes,
You stand proud,
Looking how well they raise their own.
You did well.
Live on...Latest Shared StoryThe poem really hit home with me. I decided to use this for a compare and contrast essay for my literature class.
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32. Possibilities
Motivation About Making AttemptsWe never know if we're right
If we're not willing to be wrong.
We never know how far we'd go
If we never fight hard and long.
No one can learn to walk
When they are not inclined to crawl.
If we want something to stand,
We have to risk letting it fall.
Many are prospects for success
That quietly pass us by
Merely because we're no longer willing
To step out and give it a try.
There are opportunities to fly
We miss sheltered in our cocoon.
Many are chances for a win,
We miss because we quit too soon.
Life stows hard realities.
Mistakes at times, we're bound to make.
But it's also full of possibilities;
It's up to us how much we take.Latest Shared StoryA wonderful poem and so true...
If we live in wait and hesitate, who knows what a future we would make. Life can change in an instant. Nothing is for sure. We should if we could take any... -
33. Don't Neglect Your Love
Cherish The Love You HaveLove is like a bicycle
Left out in the storm
If it's not protected
Rust begins to form
So unless you want your bicycle
To slowly rust away,
Provide a little kindness
When the sky begins to grey. -
34. Advice To A Son
Never trust a white man,
Never kill a Jew,
Never sign a contract,
Never rent a pew.
Don't enlist in armies;
Nor marry many wives;
Never write for magazines;
Never scratch your hives.
Always put paper on the seat,
Don't believe in wars,
Keep yourself both clean and neat,
Never marry whores.
Never pay a blackmailer,
Never go to law,
Never trust a publisher,
Or you'll sleep on straw.
All your friends will leave you
All your friends will die
So lead a clean and wholesome life
And join them in the sky. -
35. Life Lines
A Lifetime Of LearningWalk where you have never been
and wonder at the beauty of this world.
Wish for the best, but work,
and for its own reward.
Give more than you receive
and share of it.
Be moderate in all things,
except goodness.
Wait your turn
and, on occasion, give it away.
Learn, if just to know,
grow wise.
Dream often,
and find a way to live your fondest.
Do all you can
never to hurt another.
Help someone daily;
it will heal your hurt as well.
Find something you enjoy;
it takes but one to make you happy.
Read,
for a book can change your life.
Write your own story,
you may change another's world.
Restore something old
and treasure it.
Reward freely,
repay always.
The greatest dignity is in the respect
given to one who is humble.
Obey and serve,
when it is due.
Always do what is right,
but do so ever with kindness.
Be confident in yourself
and humble before all others.
Befriend those who need,
for they can be the truest.
Love wholly and long
one who is worthy.
Give and receive love fully,
for that is the breath of life.
Be kind to all who will accept it,
and be fair to all others.
Beware that some are not good
and avoid, but never fear them.
Believe in something better,
and live to make it true.
Dig in good earth;
sow new life.
Reap with pride;
cook for pleasure.
Live fully within each moment you have,
for time will not return the chance.
Laugh out loud,
listen always.
Know the taste of longing
and the joy of play.
Listen to the music
you can find in silence.
Sing for the joy of it,
dance for its freedom.
Pray, even when it hard to believe,
for man was not meant to be alone.
Save for tomorrow,
each day.
Share from your heart
and with your hands.
Forgive as you can,
for we are all only human.
Accept what you cannot change,
remember warmly and wisely.
Stand for something that matters,
treasure memories most of all.
Trust when you can,
but doubt when you ought.
Know that despite it all,
life is good. -
36. These Stories We Wear
these stories we wear –
scars,
stretchmarks,
wrinkles,
are wrongly labelled
as imperfections.
but aren’t they such beautiful,
courageous signs
of how we have lived? -
37. You Don't Have To Be A Doormat
Respecting YourselfWhen I was young and insecure,
And desperate to be liked.
I tended to withdraw in pain
And flee instead of fight.
All I wanted was to get along.
Conflict was not my style.
So despite what people did to me,
I took it with a smile.
So whenever someone hurt me,
I'd stuff those feelings deep inside.
Forgive but not forget it,
Just take it all in stride.
But anger tends to fester.
It's not so easy to control.
Just like a dormant bomb that's lit,
One day it will explode.
I've suffered many sad regrets.
I've felt my share of shame
For releasing all my pent-up ire
On the ones who weren't to blame.
So I would not advise this practice
Now that I've grown old and wise.
I've learned a great deal in my time,
And there's some truths I realized.
In life you must be tolerant,
But you also must be strong.
You don't have to be a doormat
When someone does you wrong.
You must carefully pick your battles,
Knowing when to let things go.
Don't seek revenge or try to hurt,
For what you reap you'll sow.
Don't back down but don't attack,
Hold your tongue but speak your mind.
You can defend yourself and others,
And still manage to be kind.
It's important that you love yourself.
This is the love that must come first.
If you can't see how grand you are,
Then no one else will see your worth.
A good rule of thumb to follow,
Show the world by what you do -
That you will gladly give respect
But will expect the same for you! -
38. We Are All Human
Trying To Understand Each OtherI've lived quite a while and learned quite a bit
About life and this world where we live.
I've found that it's filled with both good and the bad.
Some who take, while some others will give.
There's a balance to life in the way it unfolds.
That's a truth that we all come to know.
They'll be times we endure some unbearable days
And sleepless nights filled with anger and woe.
Then come those moments of utter contentment,
When it all seems to fall into place,
When all that you are seems so right with the world,
You feel all of your pain's been erased.
We spend so much time on a quest for ourselves,
Searching for that internal peace.
And on each of our paths we may misstep and fall,
But our need for the answers won't cease.
We're composed and we're driven by our hearts and souls.
Our beliefs grow from what we've been taught.
Our dreams are all nurtured by the things that we see,
And our morals from the fights we have fought.
We all look so different; we all have our ways,
And at times we just can't understand
That inside we're no different, our humanities the same,
And we all do the best that we can.
Feelings of sadness, grief, joy, and pain,
Feeling lonely and empty and scared.
We each have these feelings, no matter our lives,
And we all yearn for someone to care.
It's that not understanding each other
Fosters the feelings of hate,
So we must take the time to learn all that we can,
While forgiving each other's mistakes.
Yes, I've learned quite a lot in my 63 years,
And to look well beyond what I see
To embrace and respect everyone as they are,
And hope that they'll do that for me.
The world won't stop spinning, and the sun will still rise.
There will always be conflict and strife,
But accepting we're all only human
Will make this a much better life. -
39. Time Keeps Marching On
Reflecting On The Passage Of TimeTime passes all so quickly,
Moments melting into years.
It's true, time waits for no one,
And the end is always near.
We live a life so tenuous,
So easily it's gone.
And no matter what we each endure,
Time keeps marching on.
We take refuge in the moment,
And we cling to every day.
We pretend it's all forever,
Just to keep the end at bay.
We hearken back to childhood,
When the world was filled with treasures,
And our lives and what the future held
Was beyond what we could measure.
When our family was our everything,
There was still no place like home.
And with our best friends by our sides,
We came into our own.
And though we took our private paths,
We all have kept in mind
That in life our greatest struggle,
Is our battle against time.
Will we get to know what true love is?
Will we have the things we need?
Will we conquer all our greatest fears?
Will we fail or will we succeed?
And then as we grow older,
And the future shrinks away,
Our lives become more memories
And less about today.
We share our wisdom and our hope
With the children in our lives,
And say good-bye to those we loved,
Who once stood by our side.
But there's a peace in growing old,
As time becomes more dear.
And who we are and why we're here
Becomes so crystal clear.
And we see time is not the enemy,
But how that time was lived.
And if we took all that we could,
Or gave all that we could give.
For in our final hours,
As our time begins to wane.
The goodness that our soul's bestowed,
Is all that shall remain.Latest Shared StoryAnother lovely poem, Patricia - keep them coming. Very best wishes, Ann
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40. Teach Them Well
You are not defined
by the way other people
see you
treat you
love you
You are defined
by the way you
see yourself
treat yourself
love yourself
Others will do unto you
as you teach them how to;
teach them well
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