Its Your Turn Now

ITS YOUR TURN NOW by JOHN M. ARRIBAS Its your turn now to run the gauntlet of life Its your turn now to accept happiness, conquer strife Its your turn now to meet n cross the many abysses Its your turn now to assess the wins and near misses You won’t have second chances most of the time Consequences of actions will shape your moral design I speak from experiences gained over life’s span That formed and molded me into the person I am You will need discipline to overcome your mistakes Keeping them small and sparse is what it takes Each loss of face and worldly assets is, a valued lesson Keeping your honor intact, an essential possession Deflect negative critics, once their motives are clear Envy, jealousy, hatred is the point of their spear Don’t be beguiled by the enchanting temptress Misguided distractions will undermine success Establish your set of standards, behavioral norms Stay true to your principles to survive the storms It won’t be easy to stand your ground at times Learn to cede and when to recognize positive signs You will never succeed, with a negative stance Cool, calm and nonchalant, will surely enhance Your stature, self esteem and respect from all Self respect and honor are the winners call I’ve had my turn to navigate the ups and downs I now fade away, let you experience ruts or crowns Passing along wisdom and advice is all I can do Your decisions and actions ultimately are you Guidance from elders, mentors, are not all it takes You’ll learn and earn from your own mistakes