Petunia is the plain little sister
who gets overlooked and passed over.
She’s not the pretty one,
always quiet and reserved,
not classy, fancy or graceful.
She takes backstage at every turn.
No games, no false pretenses.
She’s frumpy, floppy and flimsy.
Her scent is unrefined,
not confused with real perfumes.
She’s somewhat of an ugly duckling
but when the going gets tough,
we can’t help but admire
her tenacity when facing adversity.
Slow and steady wins the race.
She’s low maintenance, demure and bashful.
So reliable is her performance,
she’s been known to outshine competition.
Unpretentious and free from vanity
Yet, fact not known… surprise ~
petunia blooms are edible !
AP: 2nd place 2025, Honorable Mention 2025
Last night, I was looking at the stars
And I thought to myself
Are these the stars you feast your eyes upon?
The one’s of the highest shelf
Because that’s all you really deserve
A heart and a soul
Something to lie on
When the nights get cold
When the going gets tough
You’ll be there
When life gets rough
You’ll be there
You deserve the world
Even if it’s a sphere in the atmosphere
I don’t know if you’ve heard
But I like when you’re near
Because I feel like I’m safe with you
No matter what you’re doing
Whether we are just talking
Or if you are avoiding me
Every little dram that you seem to hear
You act like you don’t care
You make me feel good about myself
You’re an amazing best friend
When the going gets tough,
When every moment seems rough,
Give me the strength to go on,
Let a new day begin with breaking dawn.
When odds against me are stacked high,
When my wings of confidence refuse to swap and fly,
Give me the courage to look beyond,
Let the horizon hold me upright in its bond.
When my efforts look like going in vain,
When my heart bleeds and cries with pain,
Wipe away the tears and make me strong,
The journey ahead won’t seem so long.
When my steps falter and my thoughts jumble,
When my emotions are ready to crush and crumble,
Hold me God in a tight warm embrace,
Show me the light, through your eternal grace.
You have been there with me through thick and thin,
Have turned my failures into amazing win,
Let all my worries be washed away in rain,
Coz' I know that with YOU beside me, if I can do it before, I CAN do it again.
Author Dana Redricks
May 31, 2023
Life has taught me many lessons, some moments of bliss, but some of depressions; Each day a new challenge, each day a new test, but I count my blessings and strive for my best.
The greatest love I have known is from Jesus Christ, Who gave His life to offer us eternal life; I cling to His promises when the going gets tough, and I thank Him for His mercies that are more than enough.
Each battle that I have fought has shaped me into who I am, made me resilient, courageous, and strong; Though hard times are painful, I wouldn’t change a thing, for they have refined my character and pushed me to keep on moving on.
So bring on the struggles, let the challenges arise, for I know that God is with me, He hears my cries; I will keep counting my blessings and living with gratitude, and trust that every lesson life teaches is part of God’s eternal plan which has made me Brand new.
With every step you take,
A new road you shall make.
Obstacles may come your way,
But don't let them make you sway.
The road may be long and winding,
But keep moving and never mind the blinding.
For in the end, you will see,
All the effort and hard work will set you free.
When the world seems dark and grim,
Let hope and faith shine within.
Believe in yourself and what you can do,
And soon your dreams will come true.
So don't give up when the going gets tough,
Just keep pushing and never give up.
For every dream is within your reach,
All you need is the courage to take the leap.
So rise up and embrace your fate,
With every step, conquer the great.
Believe in yourself and you will see,
You can be anything you want to be.
A journey of a thousand miles
Begins with a single step
A challenge of great magnitude
Requires determination to accept.
The heart must be strong and brave
The mind must be focused and clear
For when the going gets tough
You must persevere to the end.
The courage to stay the course
And never give up the fight
No matter how hard the struggle
You must stand tall with all your might.
When the odds are stacked against you
And the road is long and hard
You must keep your eyes on the prize
And never let your spirit be marred.
For determination is the key
To unlock any door
It will help you reach the summit
And you'll never feel unsure.
Run! For all the time in the world is not enough,
And the tough gets going when the going gets tough,
Life is ugly but that's the beauty of it
So if you do not run with it, run from it.
Run! And be in pursuit of your dreams
But the future is not all that it seems,
Accept your fate for you have the best to give
And if you don't, you may die before you live.
Run! From venom when you know the value of love,
And put your trust only in the One above,
Run! And you may never run out of luck,
When you hope for the wool, prepare for the rock!
Run! You may run through hell to reach heaven
For life is a race for the odd and even;
Run! For the burden you bear is heavy as lead
The burden of which has left so many dead;
Run! Towards the path between
All even and good that have ever been;
Run,
Human,
Run!
@ POET_AY
© 2020
Don't give up when times are hard against the graft
Don't give up when breaking the mold you pause for a laugh
Don't forget all the good times that you had
Don't remember the bad times you were mad
Don't forget the struggle and the strain
Again and again and again and again
Don't be crying when the sun is shining again
Don't be the one hiding when its time to ascend
Don't give up when the going gets tough
Don't be destroyed when the times are rough
Don't give up.
My family is my everything..
My world, universe and soul.
Without them I am mere human..
They make me complete and whole.
I have the same personality traits..
Mostly good and yes some bad.
But I wouldnt change a thing..
I'm a genetic product of Mum and Dad.
So let's put the genetics aside..
Because character is what makes us unique.
Its nurtured and developed through childhood..
Credit to my parents, so to speak.
It's our morals and ethics that define us..
Looking out for one another with care.
Never forget your true family..
Because when others fail you, your family is there.
Families are so sacred and precious..
Without them we would be lost.
Its a gift of unconditional love..
And that can't be bought at any cost.
They say blood is thicker than water..
Well that is absolutley true.
When the going gets tough, others leave you..
But your family will stand by you!
'When the going gets tough
the tough get going'
Why don't they stay?
They must be afraid...
To safe spaces they head out
where they sulk and they pout
They can't stand the heat
so they get out of the kitchen
~ Enough of their bit-chin
A
Dreamer
Never sleeps
Always wide-eyed
Walking past darkness
Into a ray of light
Embracing all challenges
Quelling every adversity
Pushing on when the going gets tough
And nothing or no one gets in the way
Date written and posted: 02/16/2019
When the going gets tough, some folks grit teeth and bear it,
Perhaps you should contemplate pause
To consider in fact if the outcome does merit
Employment of both fang and claws.
There are goals, (we may choose that are not worth pursuing),
That seem to attract for a time,
If they don't serve your purpose, why bother with wooing,
Some fillies aren't worthy of rhyme.
Universe known expansion feels cold; warmth is missing,
No hint of some hope in disguise,
But the God, (who loves rest), is a Friend, (not dismissing),
Whose Smile fills eternities skies.
Brian Johnston
March 29, 2018
in this world so hard core
no one does bother
even when you are sore
tell them ,they move farther and farther
Your pains you only have to endure
In good times around you many gather
I'm a sensitive lot
feel touchy , I'm moved by small things
attention I've never sought
open to what life brings
To accept all that comes is what I was taught
when the going gets tough, I wish I had wings
only thing that greatly hurts
It pains ,when people don't respond
instead of helping remain on the outskirts
cant say who will show a friendly bond
No consoling words does anyone blurt
Of a hug at such a time you are fond
left alone to tackle your pain
alone to handle whatever does bother
all seek nothing but gain
alone we carry on this is what I gather
Of care some may feign
Most are I'll affected n are there in fair weather.
When all seems lost and you’re hopeless.
When it’s like nothing possible could be done
for the helpless.
When it seems like mistakes cannot be corrected.
When you feel like letting go
cause you can take it any longer.
When you begin to ask yourself why,
is there anything still left worth the try.
When you think know it and you don’t.
When nothing happens like you want.
It is when the going gets tough,
you get tough going.
You’ve got to have faith, hope and love
This wonderful Glorious stuff
Faith, hope and love
When push comes to shove
Faith in your life when you need to fight
Love in your heart to make things right
Hope in your soul to achieve your goal
And these three things you sow, sow, sow
Yes
You’ve got to have faith, hope and love
Three gifts from God above
Faith, hope and love
These things in which you can trust
Faith in your life when things don’t go right
Love in your heart for a brand new start
Hope in your soul when you can’t control
And these three things you sow, sow, sow
Yes
You’ve got to have faith, hope and love
Joined together like a glove
Faith, hope and love
Even when the going gets Tough
Faith in your life for your children and wife
Love in your heart to bring your family up smart
Hope in your soul that you can still rock n roll
And these three things you sow, sow, sow
Yes
You’ve got to have faith, hope and love
Flying together like a dove
Faith, hope and love
Three beautiful things in us
© Copyright KC.Leake
2nd October 2015
All Rights Reserved
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