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I've great news for the world! You are free to choose either!
Depression's your flavor? Then go right ahead
And embrace the depression that means so much to you,
But loved or depressed still someday you'll be dead.

Now to some, that's depressing, to others quite hopeful, 
For life is like school. Jesus! There's much to learn! 
If you think learning's fun, then life can be a blessing, 
But those who fear judgment find life a slow burn.

Is a student alive with no dream of vacation? 
Not thrilled top to bottom when lesson gets done? 
It's our choice to see challenge or simply disaster
So much in life rests on the way story's spun.

There are some who view life as a "bouquet of roses, "
And others who choose to see just "trail of tears, "
But a man is not stupid who sees both as feelings
And feelings can change though it often takes years.

There is no one so lucky that death is not waiting
And glasses (1) can color the luck we compare, 
If it's choice to be happy why would you not claim it, 
Just what do you gain when you live with despair? 

Now I'll bet there are some who say "You're skirting pain, sir! "
"I'm dying of cancer! Put that in your pipe! "
Well, friend, death's rarely painless, and always a wonder, 
But lessons are learned too; I try not to gripe.

But acknowledging pain is one way to reduce it, 
Forgetting past joy is quite human as well, 
And to choose our own lives is the task that's before us
Has a man ever lived without demons to quell?

It is nearly lost cause to change others around us
Best chance to change world is addressing our flaws
If the world sees us change it might follow example, 
For sure more impressive than jawbone (2) or laws! 

And the Bible says service is heart of faith living, 
The tepid face danger God might spit them out,
The true Christian is one who is kind to a stranger, 
For action counts more than the prayers of devout.


Brian Johnston
Oct 5, 2017

Poet's Notes:
(1) A reference to the expression "to look at the world with rose-colored glasses:" If "rose" is the color for optimism, perhaps "blue" is the color for sadness or depression. The point is that we all choose the "tint" for the glasses we wear!
(2) "Jawbone" as used here is a "double entendre" and intentionally refers both to the use of violence (as with Sampson slaying 1000 men, Judges 15:16) and to the use of bombast with politicians/parents who "talk us to death" but don't "walk the walk!" It's not called the "Bully Pulpit" for nothing!
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