Live life joyfully

Dedicated to survivors of trauma and abuse, who include people i know IRL

Live life joyfully

 but be strong as well.

Live life lonvingly

 but be brave.

As much as you can,

 as often as you can,

 be kind, generous, graceful.

At the same time

 be strict with yourself,

 speak the truth,

 stand up against injustice, 

 and

 do not give into the temptation

of abandoning all hope. 

Live life beautifully

 so every cell in your body

 cries out in ecstasy.

But never leave your post.

You are a warrior.

The world needs you. 

Author's Note

Dear readers, sorry i've been absent. i love reading your works and leaving comments. i love this community. but there is A LOT going on right now, and i can't focus. but i'll be back again soon as things settle down. i look forward to that time i can focus, read and enjoy your poetry and stories, and share my thoughts with you.

On the poem: usually, i do not like to write dogmatically. but, this is something i have been thinking about recently and i decided to share what i have learned. artistically, i hate this piece. but i hope the message resonates with some people.

Reviews

[Snow_]

I had something close to trauma. But not really trauma.

do not give into the temptation
of abandoning all hope.

I think, I had survived is what matters really, over everything.

To give up hope is truly tempting. But do not forsake your only lifeline. It was what had carried us this far. Right?

Just because it may had been "over". We still need to cherish our hope. thank you.

Thank you. Can you tell this to your friends.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

trauma is something that prevents us from living fully. it is not about how "bad" it is. suppose you know someone who has had it worse than you. doesn't make your hurt go away.

so, i wrote this poem for you as well. read it again if you like. i mean every word of it. --Ern

[Snow_]

All right thanks

[duff]

Its powerful and positive in its message. Strong character and perseverance. I enjoyed this.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

thanks duff. always glad when you drop by.

[AYVID N]

A message that resonates as I try to live just as you say here. You've worked life out wonderfully well and it reflects in your words.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

thanks friend. i'm glad you came by.

[Marie]

I love with all my heart the excellent advice you give to your reader in this eloquently penned poem, dear Ern M. You take your reader on a spiritual journey through your words and I especially love the final stanza in the poem:
"Live life beautifully
so every cell in your body
cries out in ecstasy.
But never leave your post.
You are a warrior.
The world needs you!"
Yes, the world needs each and every one of us to make it a better place to live in, not just for ourselves and for the present generations, but for all future generations to come.
You are wise beyond words, dear Ern M and I am so grateful to you for sharing your wisdom with your readers, because if we follow the advice you give not only will our world be a better place to live in, but our lives will be better for us too! Kudos! Wonderful poetic gem which I thank you for sharing, dear poet...

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

Marie, thank you so much. you are far too kind! and i'm glad that what i think is shared by others. however, hearing it being said is always helpful, thus i penned and posted this poem. i trust you are livng ecstatically today. until next time.

[Marie]

Most welcome always, Ern M and thank you for your kind words. Wishing you a very nice evening to enjoy, dear poet...

[Relic]

Your message resonates with many because it shows a desire for improvement and positive motivations. Your wisdom shows through despite any artistic deficiency.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

thanks Relic. i usually favour style over substance but this one i just had to say it straight because so many people need to hear it.

[Lisasview]

Hi there,
Here I am sitting in front of a beautiful fire in Spain on a cool day...finally reading the words of other poets. Wondering where they are and what they are doing. Drifting away in thought about what I might be writing next. poetry for me is not like writing my thoughts in a diary but rather using the actual structure of poems to express my feelings while using the tools I have learned. I like writing in Free Verse, Free Style, Sonnets, etc. Not easy but I do like a challenge. Your words do not feel like a poem but rather a message... which is good. Too bad that there isn't a category for messages on Writers Cafe as i see that many do write their thoughts in what I call messages, if that makes any sense....and I did read some of the reviews you got ...so not everyone feels the same way as I do..and that is okay.
I completely agree that we all should live life beautifully...
Lisasview, now in Spain

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

artistically, i actually do not like this poem. perhaps one day i will take the same message and give it a more aesthetic structure. but i know too many people who are about to give up and so i posted this version, which i'll consider as a draft, because i knew people need to be bluntly told this.
Lisa, i know you are already livng life beautifully, so this poem was definitely not meant for you! and i hope you continue to enjoy each day for all that there is.

[Lisasview]

May I say that you should never ever post anything that you feel is a draft. Just work on it more and then post it. This effort will always bring better results.

[Soren]

Good advice given in poetic form. Lovely and well stated

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

thanks man!

[John the Baptist]

A poem everyone should read, especially the lines about abandoning hope. When people do that, they are lost.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

absolutely. thank you for the comment and feedback. much appreciated.

[Pryde Foltz]

Wonderful inspiration poem. Great to read in the morning. I was particularly struck by the last verse.
Live life beautifully
so every cell in your body
cries out in ecstasy.
But never leave your post.
You are a warrior.
The world needs you.

On another note: that poem I said you inspired is up. Ready to talk more spiders. Be sure to drop by and drop me a comment to know what you thought:) Thank you, Ern:)

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

your poems inspire me as well, and i will be sure to check out your latest post. glad we had this connection here, my fellow warrior.

[Aarti Sriram]

Life can be tough and to be a survivor under trauma and abuse must be very hard. Unfathomable to many of us complaining about little things in an easy life. Nice and simple poem but strong and true.
@yohsimoto, May you sit in peace soon with your loved ones around and take time out to read/write in joy and lose yourself in your happy world.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

thank you Aarti. that means a lot.