The Second

My son...
Be strong. Strive to do better in what you love;

Mediocrity isn’t failure, but accepting it, is.  
So, be content with the little you hold dear, but dream big.

Cos dreams do come true;

But first, you have to wake up and live.

 

Nevertheless, embrace failure passionately;

Care for its charms; savor its pseudo-repulsive allure.

And no, failure isn’t a stepping stone to success

It’s only a step.

You decide the direction; you decide your fate.  

 

Show empathy to the person in distress seated next to you.
Sometimes this may mean letting them be.

But be assured that the thought is what really counts;
People are different; irrational, maybe.
But care anyways; it takes nothing --absolutely nothing-- from you.

Son, I have been a slave to my many mistakes, 
I have cried sore;

I have been hurt;

I have hurt others too.

Son, you shall also cry sore in the deep of the night.
It's no curse, but the truth;

It is in no way intended to blight.
Life is a bed of roses; but even roses have thorns.

But as a wound would make you bleed,

It is also a litmus test, to ascertain that you do live.

 

So, never be afraid; or at least pretend never to be;

But do not let that mask become you,

Cause even fear is a needed ingredient for faith.

On this note, I must take rest; 
your father is old, with an aching back and a weak chest.
Please do commit my words to memory, 
Cheer up with them --bath in their wisdom

I can’t promise you anything with certainty

Except that I love you, and that’s no promise, just my reality.

 

Goodnight my son, sleep well.

Author's Note

The second 'epistle' from a father to his son. Any thoughts?

Reviews

[Abioduun]

So, never be afraid; or at least pretend never to be;
But do not let that mask become you,
Cause even fear is a needed ingredient for faith.

I love this..great one as always

[Mifa]

Thank you Abioduun. I really appreciate your comment.

[T. Edana Talbott]

Show empathy to the person in distress seated next to you.
Sometimes this may mean letting them be.
But be assured that the thought is what really counts;
People are different; irrational, maybe.
But care anyways; it takes nothing --absolutely nothing-- from you.


I love this stanza. It rings so true. If only everyone could realize this.

[Mifa]

Yeah. Often we're looking for some kinda compensation for our actions or kindness. Not always needed. We all ought to learn to be good for goodness sake. Just that. Thanks for reading and the review.

[Alice Poésy]

Just as stunning and wise as the first one!

"Even fear is a needed ingredient for faith." Sometimes it's fear which strengthens our faith, it makes us hold onto it the more.

I wish I had someone writing this to me when I was younger, but I've come across these now, and I am beyond glad. That second stanza is definitely my favourite. So many times people to talk to us about success that they fail to mention the importance of failure.

Wonderful job, Mifa! I look forward to reading the rest.

[Mifa]

Wow...thanks for the read and review Alice. I do hope you read more.

[Akshita]

Lovely! The book gets better with each chapter! : )

[Mifa]

Thanks for the kind words Shita. And for the review.