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Life Is What You Make It

Birth: the first step to journey’s end. We cannot travel and pretend That our paths will be all straight And leave the helm to luck, not faith. There will be chasms full of gloom Where evil spirits hide and loom The eerie feelings forecast doom And wide-eyed flowers do not bloom; There will be dangers hard to count So many mountains to surmount The angry waves will roll and pound While furious winds despoil the ground The weary feet will turn to lead It will be hard to forge ahead. But are we going to give in To the backstabbing from within Become a prey to currents’ might Or beat retreat and take to flight? Oh no my friend! That’s not the way To reap the fruit of our stay On this domain where life must rise Above the slime; so let’s be wise To turn defeat into a win To put a stop to faults and sin To change the darkness into light To not submit without a fight To find the means to learn to cope So that we travel on with hope Till when we give the final breath We cross the bridge to life, not death. ------------------------------------------- Author: Paul Callus ~ 16/03/2014 Contest: Life is what you make it! Sponsor: Dave Wood Placing: 1st

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Gina Montalbo

Date: 4/22/2014 12:31:00 PM

Very profound and true to life i really enjoyed Reading this piece... Gina

Paul Callus
Date: 4/22/2014 1:12:00 PM

Thank you Gina! Am so glad that you enjoyed it. cu // paul

Karen Murphy

Date: 4/18/2014 10:29:00 PM

PAULLLLLLLLLL!! That is amazing stuff. I enjoyed every word . Very mesmerizing to say the least. And I am not saying the least HAHA!! It was really good form the beginning to the end. And it is true Life is what you make it. Thanks for all your supporting comments on my poems as well. And any criticism is welcomed to.(;) Karen

Paul Callus
Date: 4/22/2014 1:09:00 PM

Wow Karen!! Such lovely comments! What can I say!! Thank you so very much :) positive feedback is soooo encouraging. You're a gem :) be seeing you....paul

Michael Ward

Date: 4/14/2014 10:09:00 AM

How the hell do you compose something like this If only I had half you'r brain BRILLIANT REGARDS. MIKE. WARD

Paul Callus
Date: 4/14/2014 11:12:00 AM

Hi Michael !! You are too kind !! Thank you :) Unfortunately many of us underrate our own work, don't do the same with yours. All of us have our own different ways of expressing ourselves. cu around. // paul

Angie Thomas

Date: 4/5/2014 7:48:00 AM

I have to say, this one really deserved 1st place. A sensible, and well penned poem.

Paul Callus
Date: 4/5/2014 8:54:00 AM

Very many thanks Angie; pleased to have you visiting and leaving your positive comments. cu around :) // paul

Mandy Tams The Golden Girl

Date: 3/27/2014 9:31:00 AM

love it, and I see congratulations are in order too Paul .xx

Paul Callus
Date: 3/27/2014 10:29:00 AM

Hi Mandy, welcome to my posts! Thank you for the lovely comments; much appreciated :) hope to see you around. // paul

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 3/26/2014 9:16:00 AM

I can see why this one was chosen for top honor. Congratulations.

Paul Callus
Date: 3/26/2014 9:25:00 AM

Once again I thank you for your encouraging comments. Your visits are much appreciated. // paul

Leon Enriquez

Date: 3/22/2014 8:13:00 PM

Dear Paul: Very very inspirational words. Lovely read, my friend. All the best then. Leon

Paul Callus
Date: 3/23/2014 5:08:00 AM

Thank you Leon. Glad you liked it my friend. // paul

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser

Date: 3/22/2014 2:48:00 PM

" the backstabbing from within Become a prey to currents’ might".... I like this line... :) for we humans must not compete with anyone but just our ownself.. by our fears, by our dreams, by our goals and all else... it with in us... we are the captain, general, president the leader in our journey to life.. :) MUCH CONGRATULATIONS..! I appreciate your comments on my writings.. :) im flattered that I'm one of those you considered reading.. :) GOD bless you always.. +olive_eloi with handshake

Paul Callus
Date: 3/22/2014 4:08:00 PM

First of all I must thank you for looking up my posts and commenting on my poems. Feedback is always important; other people's criticism makes a lot of difference. When I comment on your poems I try to be as honest as possible, after doing my best to go to the depth of the message that you try to pass on. :) cu // paul

Bukang Liwayway

Date: 3/22/2014 11:11:00 AM

Congratulations on your win friend Paul . A well-deserved win. Cheers hugsss ;)

Paul Callus
Date: 3/22/2014 12:02:00 PM

Thank you Maria, both for the visit and for the lovely comment & hugs :) // paul

Kathryn Collins

Date: 3/22/2014 9:04:00 AM

Dear Paul - What beauty you portray, poetically and in message. Brings to mind Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - psalm of life. You are a master and I more appreciate your comment on To Thine Own Self be True love, Kathy

Paul Callus
Date: 3/22/2014 10:43:00 AM

Thank you dear Kathryn for your lovely comments; they are much appreciated. Will make time to visit your posts, too. Take care. // paul

Len Gasun

Date: 3/22/2014 7:41:00 AM

An excellent inspirational poem you've penned here my dear friend Paul. I love it and extremely enjoyed reading it this afternoon. To my fave. TYSM for sharing & kudos to u on this great write. TYSM as well for your precious time reading my latest poem. I'll be back to read more of your poem soon. More blessings and good luck in the contest. love lots and big hugs, Leonora

Paul Callus
Date: 3/22/2014 8:51:00 AM

Hi Leonora. It is great to have you visiting. Thank you for your kind comments; much appreciated :) Last time, I was going to take part in your contest "Daddy", but in the last minute I decided not to since I did not want to invade your political privacy with my submission. // cu // paul

Constance La France

Date: 3/21/2014 9:32:00 AM

Paul, well done, a very well written, moving and inspirational poem, best of luck in the contest

Paul Callus
Date: 3/21/2014 2:36:00 PM

Hi BW! Nice to have you stopping by and passing such lovely comments :) thanks a lot. // paul

Elai Cee

Date: 3/21/2014 5:52:00 AM

Paul, I like the way it talks about life with various situations... especially, the last line. CONGRATULATIONS!

Paul Callus
Date: 3/21/2014 5:59:00 AM

Welcome Elai; thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments. :) // paul

Sarai Virden

Date: 3/20/2014 9:08:00 AM

Beautifully written, preciously true, incredibly encouraging! 10+ :-)

Paul Callus
Date: 3/20/2014 12:01:00 PM

Sarai you are so kind!:) Thank you for, not only visiting, but also for the 10+ and all those lovely comments. :) // paul

Roy Jerden

Date: 3/19/2014 8:57:00 PM

Well done, Paul! Congratulations! I see a lot of good comments already, so I'm gonna check out a different one of yours.

Paul Callus
Date: 3/20/2014 11:59:00 AM

Hi Roy, thank you for stopping by and commenting :) cu around // paul

Sara Kendrick

Date: 3/19/2014 7:24:00 PM

I agree that we will cross that bridge from death to life..It is not something that we all want to do today but it is reassuring to know that in the hereafter that life will come to its fullness with no pain or sorrow..Thanks for the visit to my page..You comments are uplifting..Sara

Paul Callus
Date: 3/20/2014 11:56:00 AM

Thank you Sara for visiting and for your welcome comments. // paul

Lucilla Carrillo

Date: 3/19/2014 7:05:00 PM

Paul; This is an awesome poem. I agree with you. I like to believe that life is like a dream and death is when you wake up. Many blessings... Lucilla

Paul Callus
Date: 3/20/2014 11:55:00 AM

Hi Lucilla! Thank you for your lovely comments...and for the blessings :) much appreciated. // paul

Shadow Hamilton

Date: 3/19/2014 6:20:00 PM

in depth poem Paul that tells it like it is great pen hugs

Paul Callus
Date: 3/20/2014 11:33:00 AM

You are too kind Shadow :) Thank you very much. cu // paul

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 3/19/2014 4:42:00 PM

Hi Paul, Nice seeing you on the winning list a day...~ <3 LINDA

Paul Callus
Date: 3/19/2014 4:56:00 PM

Hi Linda, thanks a lot; will be having a nice (day) night...over here in Malta it's 11 pm. :) // paul

Eileen Manassian

Date: 3/19/2014 3:27:00 PM

I didn't know you'd won, but I can certainly see why! This is absolutely amazing! WOW! So many beautiful lines! The call to give it our all, Paul. Superb write. :) I loved the same lines as Tim did! :)

Paul Callus
Date: 3/19/2014 3:46:00 PM

Thank you so much Eileen /x/ I don't have to tell, but I will just the same...your encouraging comments sure are a morale booster. :):) // paul

Tim Ryerson

Date: 3/19/2014 12:40:00 PM

Favorite two lines: 'And wide-eyed flowers do not bloom' and 'To the backstabbing from within'. WOW...Congrats - Tim

Paul Callus
Date: 3/19/2014 12:43:00 PM

Hi Tim! Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments. Will be back to you again. // paul

Sam Raj

Date: 3/19/2014 10:21:00 AM

Congratulations. Touching my soul. Keep the poetic flame glowing Shall slumber in the warmth.

Paul Callus
Date: 3/19/2014 12:38:00 PM

Many thanks Sam; appreciate your glowing comments:) // paul

Nette Onclaud

Date: 3/19/2014 8:25:00 AM

i knew this would be a topper, paul.. big applaue on your win!.. huggs

Paul Callus
Date: 3/19/2014 12:37:00 PM

Hi Nette! Thank you for your lovely comments :) and for the faith you had in me! /x/ paul

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 3/19/2014 4:25:00 AM

- Congratulations on your winning poem in the contest: "Life is what YOU make it!" Sponsored by: Dave Wood. - Wonderful win, Paul ! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)

Paul Callus
Date: 3/19/2014 4:56:00 AM

Thank you :) Your welcome praise unfailingly appreciated :) /x/ paul

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser

Date: 3/19/2014 4:03:00 AM

"To the backstabbing from within Become a prey to currents’ might", i like this.. :) it's a challenging, motivating and inspirational prose.. :) i'm privilege that i read some of your comments on my writings.. :) God bless.. and WARM CONGRATULATIONS!! === olive_eloi

Paul Callus
Date: 3/19/2014 4:54:00 AM

Thank you for your honest and lovely comments Olive E. Glad you don't mind how I comment on your poems :):) cu around for sure. // paul