An ode to life and living

Victory to the champ, who perseveres through it all One smelted and refined through life's red-hot furnace Who was all beaten down and yet clawed his way back each and every time. Cheers to our friends who battled internal demons in secret. And yet sought not the "easy way out." For they held on to life through all travails. Cheers to the villains who cursed at us with bitterness. For they only propelled us to greater plains. Though we passed through the eye of the needle We yet cherished the precious, priceless gift of life. For life's a path fraught with despair at each and every turn, but we sought a greater tomorrow. Ever telling ourselves, "Things can only get better." No matter how scared we were, it was our mantra. Seeking out green pastures in pestilence and drought Cheers to the ones who blessed us with their fellowship at each phase of our lives. They taught us life's integral lessons.