Two Snakes

Two snakes basked in the sun one day. Suddenly, a round object landed between them. The first snake grinned, believing the object to be a delicious egg. Upon pointing this out to the second snake, the first proceeded to unhinge its jaw and begin the process of ingesting its new meal. The second snake laughed at the first, declaring that it was not an egg, but that it was in fact a stone. The first snake laughed in turn, calling the second snake blind and ignorant, for obviously the object was no stone. The two bickered for a time, insulting one another. Finally, the first snake hissed and defiantly placed its mouth around the object, beginning the long process of swallowing its meal. The second snake scoffed, then sat smugly, intent to watch the first snake choke as a result of its own idiocy. The first snake also sat smugly, watching the second snake with satisfaction, knowing that the other snake was clearly too dumb to be able to provide meals for itself, and that it would be better off going hungry.

You yourself may be wondering which of the two snakes was right. You may be surprised to know that both were correct. The second snake was correct in that the object was not an egg. The first snake was correct in that the object was not a stone. Both snakes, however, were also incorrect, for the object they had found was a grenade, and both ended up paying the price when it abruptly exploded.

Let us not be so quick to judge others as ignorant merely because they have a different opinion than we do. There is no productivity in petty name-calling and insult. Public discourse ought to help us understand the opinions, dreams, and fears that our fellow humans hold. If we really wish to progress, we should focus more on understanding each other than on outwitting and besting each other. Reaching the best solutions to problems often requires a deeper understanding of all sides of the issues at hand.

Poem #19 - Song of Storms

Song of Storms
(To the tune of Song of Storms from The Legend of Zelda)

Ebb and flow

Come and go

Riding waves of destiny

Far away from shore

Seeking so much more

Sails a-blow

Watch me go

Off to find my destiny

Knowing I'll return once more

Sounds do form

A song of storms

Raindrops on an endless sea

Darkness all around

Waves relentless pound

Lightning flash

Thunder clash

A catastrophic symphony

Safety nowhere to be found

Cries ignored

Overboard

Drowning in my misery

Longing for my home

Shivering, alone

Still I fight

Then a light

Pierces through my misery

Beckoning me back home

Ebb and flow

Come and go

Riding waves of destiny

Far away from shore

Knowing so much more

Now I row

Back home I go

Returning to my destiny

Back on my beloved shores

--Karl Southwick

This was just an attempt to write some lyrics to the Song of Storms from The Legend of Zelda series. Go have a listen if you've never heard it -- it's a fantastic song.

Poem #18--Stars

Stars

I looked into my friend's deep eyes,

The windows to his soul.

I saw that which he tried to hide,

His dread and fears untold.

I saw the pain beyond the panes,

I heard the unspoken plea.

I sensed his view that all was in vain,

That alone he would always be.

His cry for help, real but unvoiced,

Did pierce me to the heart.

That was when I made the choice.

It was time to do my part.

To the balcony I led him then,

To the comfort of the night,

A place where he had often been,

Though always in day's light.

I said, "look up into the sky.

Tell me, what do you see?"

He said, "I see the stars up high,

Shining down on me."

"My friend," I said, "think with me.

When you awoke today,

In morning's light were you able to see

Night's glorious display?

The stars, you see, are always there,

Always giving light,

But of this we are not aware

Until the dead of night.

All of us are like the stars,

All of us do shine.

But we'd never see this light of ours

If it were sunny all the time.

You see, my friend, we need the night,

To realize who we are.

So never try to hide your light:

You're someone's guiding star."

--Karl Southwick

Based on a true story. Many times, we find ourselves lost in darkness. Trials and adversity appear to smother us, and we wonder why. I had a friend who wondered the same thing, and together we learned about our nature as children of a Heavenly King. We all have light, for we are His children, and He is the source of all truth and light. We have this light for a reason--just as sailors and travelers used the stars to guide them at night, there are people who need to see our light in order to find their way. First and foremost among these people is ourselves. We need to be able to see our light in order to know who we truly are, to see the big picture. So instead of asking why life has to get dark, look within and find your light. Never stop shining.

Poem #17--Those Hands

Those Hands 

I fell upon the cold, stone ground, 

Pushed by hands unseen. 

My wrists and legs were tightly bound, 

My body filled with pain. 

Those hands, so filled with hate and spite, 

Had tied these binding knots. 

I tried to rise, but then, with fright, 

I found that I could not. 

For, while I was on the floor, 

Consumed by my own pain, 

Those hands did labor evermore, 

Clasping binding chains. 

Thus secured, I could not fight, 

Against those ruthless hands. 

They exposed my back, with skin of white, 

And then the wrath began. 

The crack. The crack. The screams of pain, 

The shredding of my skin, 

The crack. The crack. The screams in vain, 

Thus did the wrath begin. 

Crimson drops flew left and right, 

With each resounding crack. 

Rivers red cut through the white 

Of my searing, burning back. 

Those hands continued with sheer disdain, 

As ruthless, merciless beasts, 

And, in a moment of unbearable pain, 

I called on them to cease. 

Then, to my complete surprise, 

They stopped for cause unknown. 

I weakly opened bloodshot eyes; 

A light about me shown. 

Two other hands descended then, 

My limbs they did release, 

My burning wounds they then did cleanse. 

All pain began to cease. 

My eyes released their liquid awe, 

My lips, a grateful psalm. 

Then in those bloodstained hands I saw 

The piercings in the palm. 

"Oh, Lord," I said, with shaking voice, 

"Oh, Lord, where hast thou been?" 

"Waiting for you to make the choice 

To allow me to step in." 

"But Lord," I said, "Those wicked hands, 

That attacked me with such hate, 

Lord, I do not understand. 

Why didst thou choose to wait?" 

"My Son," He said, with caring voice, 

"My Son, this had to be. 

To you it is given to make the choice. 

Thou hast thine agency. 

Those hands that held thee captive, Son, 

That beat you unto death, 

To stop them, nothing could be done, 

'Till you, with dying breath, 

Called upon those hands to cease. 

You see, those hands unknown 

Were not the hands of thine enemies. 

Those hands... 

They were thine own. 

--Karl Southwick 

When faced with emotional problems or pain, stop beating yourself up. Learn what needs to be learned from it, and move on. Beating yourself up, feeling worthless or insignificant, none of that will help, in the long run. To find peace, to obtain joy, Stop beating yourself up. Get up. Brush yourself off, and move forward. Let God help, and do not reopen the wounds that have already been healed. 

Water has interesting magnifying properties. Might I suggest that in this there is a symbolism? When we cry, our eyes fill with tears. So, from time to time, our sorrows might have a purpose: to magnify our vision, to help us see our life in a new light and our own role and purpose in it. Obtaining that vision, the tears will be wiped away, and we will see the world through the eyes of joy. 

Food for thought.

Poem #16--A Place Called Peace

A Place Called Peace

A dream is made of many parts,

Of hopes and smiles, of will and heart.

So when you dream, where do you start?

Desire is the key.

What do you want, what is your goal?

What is the drive within your soul?

Mine is one of joy untold.

I seek a place called peace.

      A place where skies are never gray,

Where raindrops dance, then fade away.

Cool breezes on warm summer days,

That do encompass all.

            This place is one where one can think

On ships of thought that never sink.

Where one can sit right on the brink

Of naught, and never fall.

Where one can be a prince, a king,

A maiden fair, or anything

That may achieve their fondest dreams

Without all pain and fright,

Where Friendship lasts and love abounds,

Where charming laughter doth resound,

Where flowers bloom from fertile ground

As all Earth bathes in light.

To reach this place has been my dream,

To settle by its soothing streams.

Though time has shown that, it would seem,

I shall never meet my goal.

But then I stop, and think again,

And realize how close I have been.

This Place called Peace is locked within,

Hidden inside my soul,

Where I can reach it any time,

And let it flood my troubled mind,

And share it with all of mankind

For I have found the key.

So now, when I am feeling down,

I quickly turn my life around.

For sorrow cannot here be found

In this lovely Place called Peace.

-Karl Southwick

This poem is a description of the pursuit of peace. To me, the ultimate achievement would be to obtain total peace--of mind, of heart, of soul. Peace is a goal, a dream, an ideal that can be the birthplace of true happiness. And it is hidden within each one of us. No matter how much turmoil might be in our lives, no matter how hectic or stressful our lives might be, there is always some measure of peace inside us. All we have to do is look, and we will find it.

Poem #15--Teach the Children

Teach the Children

There are those to whom we all attribute our success:

Our teachers, friends, and families, to name some of the best.

But oftentimes we overlook the ones that mattered most,

The ones who started us on the path should be recognized foremost.

The teachers of the little ones, of us while we were young,

Who, on the ladder of this life, helped us up the first rung.

These teachers never ceased to teach, e’en though we were too small

To understand all of God’s words, to comprehend them all.

Now, in life, we may not recall the lessons that they gave,

But their importance was utmost, a life-impacting wave.

The introduction to the children of God’s word and will,

Is perhaps the most important, and bears with us still.

A simple word, a kindly deed, teaching us to pray,

Our teachers in this innocent age made us who we are today.

So never forget your importance, my friend, for it is great indeed.

After all, our Savior and our Lord said “Bring them unto me.”

You have done all that and more, yes, that much is clear.

He is grateful you helped to save the children he holds dear.

-Karl Southwick

This is a thank you to all of my teachers from my past. Teachers of any kind, even if that wasn't their official job or calling. We are surrounded by teachers, who are more than willing to teach us, as long as we take the time to listen. So thank you to all of you who have taught me so much. Thank you. :)

Poem #14--Listen

Listen

Friendship is a powerful thing, a special, helpful force.
It helps us, when we’re feeling lost, to find the rightful course.
So if there is one lesson now, that everyone should learn,
It is that friendship’s a two-way street; we must give it in return.
There are few things more important than being a great friend,
Helping one another to endure right to the end.
But sometimes, all our efforts seem to go on deafened ears.
Friends refuse to listen, and we are driven straight to tears.
Few things cause us sharper pain than good advice ignored,
So when a friend commits this crime, what good can lie in store?
Oftentimes we find ourselves in such a situation,
Reaching out to help a friend who’s stuck in tribulation.
But then they just don’t listen to our desperate pleas and cries,
They simply ignore our efforts, and call our warnings lies.
Sorrow fills our bodies as we gaze at a friend lost,
Heading down a darkened path, unaware of cost.
We try and try to hold their hand, to lead them the right way,
But they simply refuse to listen, for their hearts have gone astray.
And, for the friend giving advice, the pain is sure and real,
For they know best, and try to help their wayward friends to feel.
When a person does this thing, and good advice ignores,
The sorrow of their consequences spreads faster than a war.
Not only will they feel regret, when their path does reach its end,
But so shall feel their caring, loving, yet newly ignored friend.
So think first before you decide to go your stubborn way,
Listen to the caring warnings of friends from day to day.
Do not ignore their earnest pleas, if righteous these pleas are,
Stand by good friends, and give them heed, and you will then go far.
 --Karl Southwick

There are few things that make me sadder than giving a friend good advice and having them simply ignore it, moving on with what they want to do instead of what they know they should do. However, I know that I've done the same thing in the past to some of my friends. Basically, if we want to be better people, it'd be wise to listen to our friends when they tell us what they know and what we know is right. If they say we shouldn't do something, and we know they're right, no matter how much we may want to do that thing, we should listen. There's less pain in the end if you simply heed the words of your friends.