Lyrical Laments - 4. Chapter 4 What's Real

Continue on your journey. If you happen to stumble off the path, we will be there to help put your feet back on the journey's path. Or we can join you out on the veranda for good conversation, and tea. 

live to life to your best ...

Ah the Serenity Prayer, such wise words... sometimes hard to live by... especially the wisdom bit, it catches me up on occasions

I love the last four lines

Tea is good too

I love this poem and the rhythm and the images it invokes

This is a litany, a prayer and a deeply moving plea to the spirit. Thank you for sharing it with us. 

On 7/27/2017 at 9:33 PM, ColumbusGuy said:

Seems like a good philosophy to me, if I'm reading this right: 'if life hands you lemons, make lemonade'...or perhaps our British friends have it right also:  'Get on wiv it!'?

I've always tried to pick myself up, brush myself off, and find my inner core where I can always seek solace and some determination to carry on.  I change what I can, deal with the rest and try to find something good to brighten my mood once more.  Friends have always done that for me, and I strive to do the same for them in turn.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

That pretty much sums it up, Buddy. Sometimes hurts come from unexpected places. I know who I am. I may have forgotten while under bombardment, but I've done the hard work, and I trust in me. Real friendship has got me through, and I thank you for yours, dearest friend... cheers... Gary xoxoxo

On 7/27/2017 at 11:35 PM, LitLover said:

I don't know if you know the serenity prayer but this brings it to mind "... grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."  Sometimes all you can do is trust you are doing your best and take the next step forward, everything else is out of your hands. Of course you should also not forget those who are walking right there beside you  

Yes, I do, and it has the same basic message, now that you've brought it to my attention. I've asked myself all the questions, and I can only ask them of me, but I will never forget the importance of my friends... I need them, and you are one of those. No man is an island... not if they want to be the best person they can be... much love and respect, dear friend... cheers... Gary xoxoxo

On 7/28/2017 at 5:33 AM, R J Drew said:

Continue on your journey. If you happen to stumble off the path, we will be there to help put your feet back on the journey's path. Or we can join you out on the veranda for good conversation, and tea. 

Thanks, R J. I'm sure there will be more stumbles, and if you ever do, you can count on me too  . I would love for you to join me on my veranda, for tea or something else. Our conversations, whether here or there, are treasured... be well, dear friend, and thank you for your care and concern... cheers... Gary xoxoxo

On 7/28/2017 at 8:27 AM, dughlas said:

live to life to your best ...

Yes... I try, but of course there have been blips. Some are more easy to recover from than others, but there comes a time, after introspection, that our perseverance must emerge. Thanks for being by my side, lending your hand, dear friend. You are one of the treasured rocks in my life, dugh... cheers... Gary.... xoxoxo

On 7/28/2017 at 10:00 AM, Bucket1 said:

Ah the Serenity Prayer, such wise words... sometimes hard to live by... especially the wisdom bit, it catches me up on occasions

 

I love the last four lines

Thanks, B. Yes, sometimes hard to live by, because even seasoned wisdom can falter when we are thrown off balance. I do trust in me, though I forgot how to do that for a while... I'm working on it... each day brings new clarity, if not complete strength. The last four lines was me acknowledging I can't think for others. We all have our own process and our own journeys... mine is with my dear and kind friends and family... I count you one of those, fair Bucket  Cheers... Gary xoxoxo

On 7/28/2017 at 10:00 AM, Bucket1 said:

Tea is good too

Of course lol... says the tea man... a good cup makes everything better  

On 7/28/2017 at 10:21 AM, Albert1434 said:

I love this poem and the rhythm and the images it invokes

Thank you, dear friend. You're the best, buddy... cheers... Gary xoxoxo

On 7/28/2017 at 6:16 PM, Parker Owens said:

This is a litany, a prayer and a deeply moving plea to the spirit. Thank you for sharing it with us. 

Thanks, Parker. I should apologize to all for taking so long to reply to these comments. Yes, a litany for me to celebrate another surge forward. Some anger may have spurred it, but there is none within the words... just a pledge to keep to my path and trust in the person I have always been. You are kind and generous, dear friend, and I thank you for that... cheers... Gary.... xoxoxo

I expected sadness and anger from the first few lines.  What I got was the determination of the message to fight the blight that comes into our lives sometimes.  It's not always easy, but what must be done to survive.  I like the way you juxtaposed the two parts of this poem.

6 hours ago, raven1 said:

I expected sadness and anger from the first few lines.  What I got was the determination of the message to fight the blight that comes into our lives sometimes.  It's not always easy, but what must be done to survive.  I like the way you juxtaposed the two parts of this poem.

Thanks, Terry. This poem is a journey in itself, about a particularly difficult journey. The worst kinds of things are never really over, but this was where I began to stand tall in my own head again.  

Stand tall and proud Gary.  Your accomplishments are many and reflect your inner strength!

1 hour ago, raven1 said:

Stand tall and proud Gary.  Your accomplishments are many and reflect your inner strength!

Thank you. Again, the struggle never completely recedes, but I can only do my best. It's all any of us can do.