An Inexperienced Philosophy

This poem/piece of writing came out of a high school writing assignment to describe the meaning of life in whatever medium we chose to use. I simply wrote without focussing on style or structure.

 

The meaning of life has long been a subject of study, of searching, of struggle

Engaging for centuries the minds of sages, of wise men, of prophets and professors

Hovering in the steam above porcelain mugs on the local coffee row

Entering even the toddler’s squeakily-spoken question, “Where did I come from?”

And hiding in the rustling wheat stalks of the farmer’s field.

 

Though I’ve been on this earth only eighteen years and have much yet to learn

I am of the persuasion that purpose is not in the why you live but in the how.

 

It is all in the choices we make, but more so in the choices we choose not to make

It is in the words that flow from your heart, but more so the words that remain inside your mind

It is in the hand you raise to help but more so in the hand that rises up in impatient vengeance.

 

The status of a good person is not in the hat you wear or the shoes you walk in

No; the definition of a good person lies in the heart, the spirit, the life you make.

 

Sing loudly; laugh deeply; rage seldom; weep sincerely for those whose hearts are breaking.

Lead the young in a true and straight direction and leave your lessons for them to learn.

Let not others suffer for your mistakes, but always have the courage to take responsibility.

Let nothing but truth break from your lips, lest you never speak again

For who would want their final words to be naught but a lie?

Choose what would rule your every ambition, but choose wisely, for chains are hard to break

Be it faith, or a dream, or family; be it money, or fear, or power.

And yet, while you choose your master, seek not to be a master of anything but yourself

Those who have chosen mastery have often chosen cruelty and death as their goals

And yet, do not forget that it is you who stand by that let those masters remain in power.

 

Never shy away from what is right, even if it is what is most fearful or most difficult

Instead, always seek to do what you can to make a difference, if only for a single child

Because a life wasted is a terrible thing; no, not terrible; it is a travesty to be dead and yet walk

And so always seek to make your life worth something, something worth leaving behind

Whether you are a teacher, teaching knowledge or arts or faith or beauty

Or a worker building houses or companies or dreams or new lives

Or an artist creating visions or masterpieces or legacies or history

There is a purpose in any profession; it is your choice how you want to make your impact.

 

Faith.

 

Hope.

 

Love.

 

Whatever else is tossed to you on the waves of life, keep these three closer than your skin.

Have faith in yourself; in your fellow man; and have faith that all will be right in the end.

Hold on to hope for today; hope for tomorrow; and hope for those things you dare not hope for.

Love yourself; love every man; whether friend or enemy; and love Life in all its glory.