When

When you're all confused and wonder what there is to make of life,
When you have a lot of trouble and are left with pain and strife,
When your world is turning crazy and you want to get away,
When you know that's not the answer and you really have to stay,
When you feel you've been rejected by the ones you thought had cared,
When you try to find the reason but it leaves you feeling scared,
When you think that maybe you're the one who's really in the wrong,
When you feel you've been forgotten and no more do you belong,
When the sun's no longer shining and the rain is coming down,
When you try to walk on water but you know that you will drown,
When you try to hear the music but you can't recall the song,
When you're feeling very weak inside instead of feeling strong,
Then it's time to put the 'whens' aside and try to see 'what ifs',
For the things that you are feeling now will toss you o'er the cliff.

What if you could change your vision by the way you start each day,
What if you could take a minute just to meditate and pray,
What if others saw the person that you really are inside,
What if you could shed the bitterness and set it all aside,
What if you reached out in friendship and invited others in,
What if you forgave the sinner, who knew nothing but to sin,
What if you embraced each moment that presents itself to you,
What if every single one of them held riches that were new,
What if you looked to the future with a faith that none could shake,
What if you could turn the other cheek and give instead of take,
What if you could see the silver that is lining ev'ry cloud,
What if you could please that 'special one', instead of just the crowd,
Then your world would come together in a way you'd never dream,
And your life would have such purpose; in your eyes a pleasant gleam,
So just put those 'whens' where they belong and try to see 'what ifs',
And you'll find the grace and healing that will mend the many rifts.

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Lynn Marie

Date: 3/11/2017 8:46:00 PM

So inspiring and brimming with good ol common sense, love, care, respect and integrity which sadly, is sorely lacking these days. The "change your vision" line is how I begin and end my day... The last couplet is superb! :-) Wonderful writing, great message, a joy to read.:-) blessings, lynn

David Pekrul
Date: 3/12/2017 11:11:00 PM

Thank you, Lynn. I love the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling, so thought I would try to write one called "When". I thought it came out quite well, but I most likely won't be famous like Kipling.