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. :)