Poems by John Peter Read

As life unravels, be brave and bold,
Never criticise, neither grudges hold.
Live in harmony, with your fellow man,
Following nature, as our lord planned.

Always listen, far more than you speak,
Avoid all rumours, for it's truth that you seek.
When others criticise, and do you wrong,
It's forgiveness itself, that makes you strong.

Possessions are worthless, it's your inner self,
Family and loved ones, are your true wealth.
Let go of the past, and what else is to come,
Live for the moment, before it has gone.

As we journey, along life's twisting road,
They'll be many things, we cannot control.
Stick to your path, do not go astray,
Every obstacle you encounter, becomes the way.

Positive thinking, no negative thoughts,
The more you listen, the more your taught.
A Stoic person, is one  of a kind,
Gentle at heart, yet strong in mind.

In the silence of twilight
When ghostly whispers unfold.
Thoughts fill my head
From days of long ago.

Dreams I once used to cherish
Fell like petals at dawn.
The present has lost all meaning
Leaving me feeling lost and forlorn.

Familiar echoes of laughter
Once filled the cool night air.
Now there's just an empty silence
How I wish you were still here.

F- Friends are precious gifts
R- Rare and hard to find
I-  Invisible when life is good
E- Ever near when your sun doesn't shine
N- Nothing is ever too much
D- Distance never too far
S- Standing by your side when your dreams have passed you by.

Another year is almost over.
A new one's about to begin.
Say goodbye to all the negative stuff.
Move on with the positive things.

Forget those New Year's resolutions.
They are never what they seem.
Resolutions are no sooner made than broken.
It's far better to follow your dreams.

Let's pray for health and happiness
And for peace in the New Year too.
And as those bells ring out at midnight,
I hope those dreams you dream come true.

I'm so sorry I missed your birthday.
A special day, I know it's true.
But birthdays are only here one day,
And I love you the whole year through.

Birthday cards are only pieces of paper,
Verses written by someone we never knew.
How could they ever truly explain
All the feelings I have for you?

So I've bought a card without any verse
As I wanted to write one of my own
To let you know what you really mean to me
And not words from someone unknown.

Yes, birthday cards are just pieces of paper
That we read then just put away,
But my love for you is forever,
And forever means now and always.

I want no flowers when I die
No one too mourn me
no one to cry.
I wish no sadness, at my demise
just a smile and a loving memory
Is all I ask.

For the people I love
who meant the world to me
are now no longer here.
All that's left is an emptiness
filled with memories
I hold so dear.

Eventually the day will dawn
when I will breathe my last.
On a journey to another world
to be reunited with those I love.

To rest in peace in heaven
far from all life's pain
leaving just my memory
to comfort those who still remain.