The Truth About True Greatness

The truth about true greatness
Is not well understood
The evidence we need to know
For choosing something good

There are two kinds of people
The first are those who try
To aim for good and righteousness
And hate to tell a lie

The second kind of person
Just does the way they feel
They only see what profits them
And miss the bigger deal

When you believe in goodliness
In everything you do
You draw a righteous power
That works a change in you

You see the inner person
In everyone you meet
The stranger that we see as bad
You see as incomplete 

This gift of love will guide you
In righteous ways of judging
With kindliness and caring too
With inner strength unbudging

This power brings a helpful sense
Of some impending harm
It warns you of the danger there
By sounding an alarm

The opposite of what I speak
Is manifestly strange
The evidence of those who grow
But never seem to change

We look to those who lead us well
Who always choose the right
Who recognize the good from bad
The darkness from the light

The sweeter fruits of happiness
Are not the roots of vice
They come to us by living well
By love and sacrifice

The power that I speak about
Exists to make us whole
To build our true humanity
By lifting every soul

The difference in the ones who try
And those who never do
Is manifest in greatness
By the light that shines in you!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Kendrick Avatar
May 1, 2021 at 1:57 PM
Yes, there are good people and there are bad people but there are varying degrees of both. Some bad people you would not want to meet any time especially at night on a lonely road. I enjoyed reading your winning work. Way to go..Congrats. Sara
Dietrich Avatar
April 30, 2021 at 4:42 PM
I think there is a second group of people. Ones like me. heehee. this is GRRRRREAT, Bryan. Thanks for looking me up recently. I am so behind here I never have time to visit old friends unless they pop in and remind me they are around. Let me see what else you have been up to here.
Dietrich Avatar
April 30, 2021 at 4:42 PM
I see this won in a contest. BIG CONGRATS then!
Kauffman Avatar
April 29, 2021 at 10:30 AM
Congratulations Bryan. Your poem shines a light on the results of efforts to live in the light balanced by the pain of those who choose not to live in the light. You have chosen well! Blessings of light to you!
Radice Avatar
April 28, 2021 at 10:00 PM
A beautifully written piece with great rhyme. The last stanza sums up the message perfectly. I think I've stated this before Bryan but you do write the type of poetry I like to read. Flowing rhymes with a message that are instantly accessible. Cheers - Gary
Norton Avatar
April 29, 2021 at 8:08 AM
Thank you, Gary. Your comments are always good and kind. Cheers, Bryan
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