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.

Poem #13--My Personal Mission Statement

My Personal Mission Statement

Every success begins with a dream.
Whether working alone or as part of a team.
I will never stop dreaming, as long as I live,
And when others stop dreaming, assistance I’ll give.
I shall help all my colleagues, my neighbors and friends,
I shall love them forever, for time never ends.
But first comes my family, the love of my life,
We shall stand together, through trouble and strife.
To them I shall give my utmost devotion,
Share memories and happiness, the purest emotion.
I will value integrity, and loyalty, too,
Honesty and truthfulness shall be my virtues.
I shall never give up on doing my best,
I shall never hate others, nor others detest.
To those who I meet, I will give due respect,
I shall think all my life, so I never forget.
The things I have learned shall always be there,
To build upon them is a primary care.
I shall lean upon God as I travel on my way,
Shall be used as a tool in his hands all my days.
I shall never give up, and I never will quit,
I will instead start again and build up bit by bit.
I shall work well with others, both woman and man,
I shall be there to help them, their thoughts understand.
I shall spend my life helping, to be there for my friends,
I shall guide them, when needed, through life’s twists and bends.
I will press on forever, through joy and through sorrow,
For this defines me, today and tomorrow.
-Karl Southwick

Each of us, while on this earth, needs something to drive us, something to guide us as we undertake this tempestuous journey of life. Personally, there are many things that I intend to focus on, specific aspects of life that I wish to follow and develop, that I might be the best I can be in all areas. This poem is the embodiment of those dreams, goals, and aspirations, drafted in order to be a map for my individual life. If I live according to these principles and standards I have set for myself, then I shall have no regrets. All people should have things like these, sets of directions they have established for themselves and that they can follow. I encourage you to come up with your own, and to abide by your own precepts.

Poem #12--Families

Families

On this mortal journey, we oft feel alone,
Abandoned, resented, joy is unknown.
We swim through our trials, but quickly grow faint,
What started as water has thickened to paint.
We struggle and kick, fighting for air,
But slowly we sink, giving in to despair.
And then, all alone, we give up the fight
And plunge into the darkness, deeper than night.
If this is our case, then why even try?
If this is our fate, why have we not died?
What do you do, when the waves start to swell?
How do you survive, and the darkness dispel?
Listen, I’ll tell you, the answer to these
Is to realize the power of strong families.
We need not live in cruel isolation,
From this our family can be our salvation.
And this, my dear friend, is the solution to life,
The answer to struggling, to pain, and to strife.
Families are the seed from which goodness is sown,
For with them we’re strengthened. We’re never alone.
So, when you’re drowning, in trials’ dark seas,
Turn to your companions, your mortal family.
Love them and help them, and you will soon find
They are a power that strengthens the mind.
So never forget, for these words are true:
Your family is there, and they can help you.
-Karl Southwick

This one is fairly self-explanatory. It has come to my attention that the power of family bonds in today's society is grossly undermined. People seem to just lose the will to try to help the members of their family, becoming so focused on themselves that they lose sight of the bigger picture. The thing is, the family is one of our greatest assets in our lives. We have been born into groups of fellow human beings, who have taught us and raised us, helping us along our way. In nature, most organisms experience a closeness with their families, with the groups they were born into. Humans are not an exception. Our relationships with our families should be as powerful as we can make them, for we're all on this journey together. Why should we have to go at it alone? And why on earth should we not help and gain help from those to whom we are naturally close? Not only is it good sociology, but it is science. Families are powerful. Rely on them and love them, and the quality of your life can increase exponentially.

Poem #11--The Worth of Your Soul

The Worth of Your Soul

I’ve heard that life’s a battleground, that we wage a constant war.

I’ve heard that life is full of pain, and infinite locked doors.

I’ve heard that happiness is rare, that joy is often lost,

I’ve heard that freedom is never true, and bought at a great cost.

Now, if these things are true, my friend, then why do we exist?

Why do we keep being born if troubles just persist?

Could it be there’s something more, just waiting to be found?

Could it be that love and light are always all around?

When life gets dark, and we get lost, we often can lose hope.

We sometimes think that we have failed, and know not how to cope.

We lose sight of who we are, of who we can become,

We think that we are worthless, that our lives should be undone.

We think it would not matter if we had never been,

That none would even care if they saw us ne’er again.

We might feel insignificant, unwanted, and alone,

Stupid, ugly, an awful friend, with no place to call home.

So, what do you do when all these thoughts enter into your mind?

How on earth do you turn these thoughts into a better kind?

The answer, friend, is a simple one, you just must meet this goal:

To understand and comprehend the value of your soul.

You, yourself, are great to God, and are beloved of Him,

He wants only what’s best for you, He wants for you to win.

So, when you fall, just get back up; your life is yours to lead.

Smile, laugh, and show your love, and please, this counsel heed:

You are special, you are great: God’s love for you is true.

No one can take the steering wheel; you are the only you.

And, no matter what you think, there are those who care,

Friends in need and friends indeed, who would die if you weren’t there.

So never, ever doubt yourself; never forget your worth,

Your soul is great, and that is why you came down to this Earth.

Remember this and you will find that all will turn out fine.

Remember this and you can gain a needed peace-of-mind.

Remember this, that you are loved, just the way you are.

You are one of God’s children, a bright and shining star.

Never doubt your own self-worth, it’s greater than you can know,

Never doubt your grand potential, or how much you can grow.

And, when things get tough and hard, and life seems at an end,

Remember that you will always have some true and faithful friends.

These friends love you, just as God does, for who you are today;

They love you and wouldn’t want you any other way.

-Karl Southwick-

One common problem among people of today's world is a lack of self-confidence. There are many among us who feel that we are worthless, that we are alone and unloved. This is untrue. None in this life are unloved, and none are worthless. The worth of every soul is great in the sight of God, and therefore we are all meant to be here. We're here for a reason. Family, friends, and God are all there with us, loving us every step of the way. So never feel that you aren't worthy of life, that you would be better off dead. That is not true. Your family and friends love you, and, even if you feel they don't, God does. We are his children, and we therefore need not fear that we are worthless. He loves us, He cares for us, and He will always be with us when we need Him.

Poem #10--Darkened Paths

Darkened Paths

I was once a man of great pomposity,

Known for blatant, frank ferocity,

Who, compelled by curiosity,

Headed on my way.

To achieve my fame, and fortune, too,

I deserted everything that I knew,

And, leaving behind all that was true,

I traveled forth that day.

The paths were long, and often dark,

The light was oft less than a spark.

I began to wonder why I did embark

On this journey of the soul.

My coat was ripped by clinging thorns,

My shoes were wet, my pants were torn.

I began to grow ever more forlorn

As I lost sight of my goal.

And then I reached the final straw,

Upon my drive I could no longer draw,

As I was swallowed by the wood’s great maw

And plunged into despair.

All alone, and filled with fear,

Surrounded by nothing that I held dear,

Anguish became an icy spear,

Driven through my heart.

To trembling knees, I then did sink,

As all was lost, so I did think,

I found myself right on the brink

Of succumbing to the dark.

But then, to my extreme surprise,

A spectacle unfolded before my eyes:

A hidden path lost its disguise,

And like a light did shine.

A flowing strength did fill me then,

And I looked back to where I’d been,

And then looked on, then back again,

Down the paths of time.

And finally, I understood,

Why I had entered into this wood:

It had been for my own good,

This truth did I discern.

I got back up, and looked ahead,

I was not done, my will not dead,

I took a step, and, grinning, said:

“My lesson I have learned.”

So now, my friends, this you must hear:

When light is gone, and darkness near,

Do not give up, or in to fear,

Instead, just choose the right,

And you’ll become an honest soul,

Humble, happy, you’ll reach your goals.

For darkened paths play a vital role:

They lead you to the light.

--Karl Southwick

Life can be viewed as a series of paths that are followed through a massive, ever-changing wood. Sometimes, the paths are clearly lighted and therefore easy to follow. However, there are times when shadows are cast on the paths, and we begin to lose sight of them. These shadows symbolize trials and hardships. Sometimes in life, when we are met with such difficult challenges, we begin to lose sight of the path we've been following, we begin to lose sight of our ultimate destination. We are then met with a choice: we can give up and quit moving forward, or we can continue on the path, knowing that it will become light again. All things are so. Darkness always gives way to light in the end.

Poem #9--Every Human is a Song

Every Human is a Song

I gazed in fury at the sight before me,

Nothing was ever so wrong.

For there, cowering at the feet of three bullies

Was a mournful, dying Song.

This Song was not expressed with words or feelings,

It was a human just like you and me.

Every human is a Song,

We’d notice if we stopped to see.

This Song was neither gallant nor great.

In fact, it was slow and unsure.

The human was suffering a terrible disease

That made it so its mind would not stir

This Song was not intelligent,

People called it mentally slow.

And yet the bullies chose to pick on the weak,

And to them, the Song was way down low.

They called it names that pierced my heart,

They pulled its hair ‘til it ripped out,

And nobody stood to help the Song

As it gave one final shout.

Every human is a Song.

Some are loud, and some are soft,

But this Song was slow and weak,

It needed something to hold it aloft.

When at last the bullies fled,

I watched to see if anyone would come

But nobody stopped to help it out,

Or even to see what had been done.

I walked up to that dying Song,

And helped it to its feet.

I spoke to the Song to keep it alive.

My voice was kind and sweet.

It looked at me and feebly smiled.

I felt a tear roll down my face.

It said, “Thank you for what you’ve done”

And then silently left at its own pace.

Every human is a Song;

If we’d just stop to see,

And listen to each other’s Songs,

 I would choose this place to be.

-Karl Southwick 

All around us are people who are very different from us. There are people of different sizes, different colors, different backgrounds. However, though we are all so different in so many ways, it is important to note that we are all fundamentally the same. We are all human. There is no reason to treat anyone less than you treat anyone else, no matter how different from you they may seem. So what if a person has something that makes them different from you? So what if their skin is a different color? So what if their eyes or hair don't match yours? So what if they have some limiting factor, such as a mental disorder? None of these facts change the fact that they are human, and none of these things give us a reason to treat them with any less respect than a human being deserves. We truly are beautiful creatures, every one of us, for we were created in the image of God. Let's treat each other accordingly.

Poem #8--The Purpose of Life

The Purpose of Life

A person stood in Marching Band, wishing it would end.
They wished that time would go faster, so they could hang with friends.
Another person, looking back, said, "I wish I could
Go back to Delta one more year, man, those times were good.
The generation above ours, made up of moms and dads,
Looks back at their childhood, and says, "good times we had."
Go back even further, to the people 'over the hill'
You will see the pattern continues, they look back even still.
Time flies faster than you would think. Soon, all will be done.
The end is coming; it is near, the Savior soon will come.
Then you progress to heav'n, or go the other way,
and live on for eternity, until someday you will say:
"Thank you, Lord, for all of the trials that made me who I am.
Thank you for thy loving care, the guidance of thy hand."
So now you must remember, while you live here on this
Earth,The purpose of your life, and the reason for your birth.
We are here to be tried and tested, so do not give up hope.
With the help of our Savior, there is no need to mope.
Life exists to teach us, test us, not to be our downfall.
In the eternal scheme of things, trials help us all.
So gather around you all your friends, you need not do this alone.
Do your best while on this Earth, for soon, you will go Home.
Then you will look back and say, "Wow, time really flew."
But you will not regret a thing, for you will have done all you can do.

-Karl Southwick

First, a bit of background information. I was a member of the Davis High marching band. For band camp, we went to a place in the middle of nowhere called Delta. Band camp itself was a lot of hard work. Lots of people hated it. However, when all is said and done, almost every member of the band wished they could go back. There is a similar mindset in our lives. People often wish they could go back in time, to handle a problem differently. They have learned from their mistakes what they should not do, and wish to go back and not make the same mistake again. However, there is a problem with this. These people aren't understanding the purpose of life, why we are here. We are here to be tried and tested, and through those tests we are strengthened. It is from our mistakes and failures that we learn all of life's greatest lessons. So we should not regret the past. We should make amends for our mistakes, learn from them, and then move on, wiser and happier, because our mistakes have been fixed. This is the purpose of life, this is why we are here: to learn, and to grow.