I was trying to think what to get my two eldest children for Christmas. Had a pretty good idea that the last thing on the list would be a piece of Dad's poetry, however, I sort of hoped that they might revisit it in 20 year's time. As the saying goes, time will tell..

Speck Of Time

My parents told me so, so many things, most of that advice fell on deaf ears, now I?m a little longer in the tooth, I?d like to share what I?ve learnt over the years. Now, I guess you?ll probably be like me, and these lines, abandoned, will fade away, but for the record, I hope you keep them, as I think you might reach for them one day. I?ll start with a question, so, what is life? So many miracles, is this just chance? Do we just live, procreate and then die? Are we all part of a much finer dance? So I?m sorry, not many answers there, but they are out there, waiting to be found, let?s leave the mysteries of the Universe, let us move onto what is surer ground. Friends will serve you well for all of your life, long as you don?t expect too much, that is, friends and business seldom, rarely go, Billy Best Mate can become Billy Whizz. Love, you need real and true love in your life, it will make sense of the thrust and parry, sadly, if you don?t ever find your true love, well, wait, take your time before you marry. You see, little lies become great monsters, you have to keep feeding them over time, just tell the truth, no matter how painful, with less, the hills are easier to climb. Politicians will lie to get your vote, as will many others, you?ll find in life, so be true to your family, to yourself, and be a good husband, be a good wife. Corporations will look after themselves, I?m sorry, it?s their duty, it?s the law, their motives must be ultimately selfish, only good folk can even up the score. Drugs will always take more than they give you, big lows follow their imaginary highs, and at the end of the day, you cannot run, face your dragons, stare out their bloodshot eyes. Because dragons faced are no longer feared, they will live happily, there in their cave, but if you let them get on top of you, well, they can lead you to an early grave. Alcohol is an addictive substance, the more that you drink, the more you will drink, it?s a slippery slope to nowheresville, so yes raise your glass, but please stop and think. And that?s the same for your total diet, think before you buy, think before you eat, low G.I., no carbs after 6, no E?s, well, I have found that?s pretty hard to beat. Imagine the world with no religion, I think you?ll find it?s quite a peaceful place, so yes, please find God and love if you can, but don?t let preachers fill an empty space. Work is good and money is better still, but true happiness is only found within, so better to just follow your passion, to have no money is no mortal sin. But if you?re committed and passionate, and determination is your first name, then you will have lived your life to the full, there?ll be a smile at the end of the game. I think that?s the secret to happiness, to give and to forgive, that?s all it takes, give lots, forgive yourself, forgive others, go and be easy, we all make mistakes. Try to be a better parent than me, but I?ve always loved you, with all my soul, and I am sorry that I had to leave, but destiny, for me, had planned this role. And being a parent is not easy, at the end of the day, I think I failed, but forgiveness is something we need to learn, this father?s cross, I can?t be forever nailed. And of course, family is important, but don?t forget the whole human race too, because as one world, we need to unite, form a World Union, that?s what we?ll do. Because global warming, global everything, we are all in this village together, unless we start thinking as Worldishmen, this Earth is not going to last forever. Please, never accept people have to starve, there is plenty on this abundant Earth, but there?s greed, there is foreign policy, you see, not everyone is of equal worth. You must ask yourself this, why is it so? Surely, we are all equal in God?s eyes? Well, life is truly about give and take, we?ve taken too much, really no surprise. So, it?s time that we should give a lot back, as in the end, it?s a question of right, if you take deadly AIDS, for example, that?s simply a matter of black and white. Again, it should be fairer, more balanced, racism, it takes many shapes and forms, and as humans, we wear it all badly, think, will we always have this crown of thorns? Easy to judge books by their cover, but judgment hurts from narrow points of view, if your self worth is based on other?s thoughts, well, look again, you need to find the real you. Because always dream in your waking hours, and if you think you can, then you?re correct, you will gather all that life has to offer, but importantly, you'll have self respect. Don?t forget your regular exercise, please look for and find God if you can, because death is just inevitable, happens to every woman and man. It?s a really, really big Universe, and we?re just living in one speck of time, try not be too serious, be happy, look for and find the reason in your rhyme. Because life is truly, lifelong learning, and so now you?ve heard an Opsimath?s word, and I?m not sure you will listen today, but one day, I hope these words will be heard.

Copyright www.agiftofpoetry.co.uk 2008

Allen Jesson

Comments:

Thanks Dad but can I have a PSP instead?