In Response To If

Are able to keep your joy when all about you If you can appreciate another’s view, But sagely keep advice, inside, anew, If you can access this vital part of self, Or you can protect your heart and your child’s soul, Or keep happiness afloat, as if a gleaming elf, And do not get side-tracked like a giant troll, If you can enhance others, and help them spiritually grow. And you can use your thoughts to uplift worldly good, And you can ignore the whimpers of proponents of the woe, And incorporate the Golden Rule as we all should, If you can avoid what the masses deem as news, Twisted and turned in minds, who cannot hear, Or if you can put yourself in a million others’ shoes, And keep us close, you would be so ever dear. If you can keep daily optimism alive, And nurture it, no matter how hard times get And you can bring people up who hurt inside, And force yourself to look inside your soul’s calm kit, If you can force yourself to serve as a beacon to others, To help them to see their best and honest soul, And so hold on to them tight, as if they are your brothers, Accept them as is, your partners, good and whole. If you can weather the storm of haters, And walk beside them, with an open, loving heart, If you can aid empathetic regulators, Not emphasizing anything that might keep you apart If you can elevate without feeling smug, Without any angst in your heart toward the human race, If you can ignore a doubter’s bah or ugh You will win the top price, and always have a loving place. Written 10-09-2018 Contest: In Response to If…..Poetry Contest Sponsor: Silent One