I am just a nobody with no fortune and no fame,
But rich in ways many others wouldn't ever think to claim.
Among His many blessings, I'm blessed with a Gift to create,
To share with and touch others, to uplift and educate.
But to be creative, to feel others' woes, address,
God gave me a life of lessons so I could share, express.
He knew I'd need material so I could carry out
My purpose He designed without a shred of doubt.
So, with my poetry, unique and a style all its own,
I write from within, a place no one can ever clone.
To acquire understanding in a way that's surreal,
One must live and experience to know how others feel.
Starting with my childhood, learning the cruelties of life
And throughout adulthood, enduring much pain and strife,
I've gained a wealth of knowledge about wrong and right,
Bringing forth perspicacity in rhyme as I write.
If with my poetry, one's expecting more in line with norm,
One might be disappointed with its content and its form,
For I do not write what and how others think I should,
But mostly to convey a message, hoping that it's good.
I only write in rhyme to give my words a flow;
Free verse seems lacking of, my opinion, though.
I like the added challenge throughout my writing time
Of writing words with meaning AND portrayed with rhyme.
My writing is direct, though not always pleasant, nice;
Some may think too lengthy, therefore not concise.
But truth and honesty can sometimes be harsh and severe
And the delivery of, must be covered and as well, made clear.
Meeting challenges in life has played a main, central part,
Leaving many battle scars upon my, at times, weary heart.
But through it all I've learned, we become better though,
From overcoming challenges which we learn from and grow.
When I say I am blessed in ways others wouldn't claim,
It's because among my blessings, the atrocities I name.
Living through atrocities forges a greater understanding,
More inclined to be forgiving, less critical, reprimanding.
Many reasons I have had too numerous to be counted
To remain bitter and resentful, not overcome, surmounted;
To justify holding onto grudges and be unforgiving,
But a heart so heavy burdened can't rejoice in living.
I've had many chances in life to provide me with excuses
To accept in my heart hatred because of multiple abuses,
But from a young age I've been determined to rise above
By cultivating instead the opposite, the Elements of Love.
Oftentimes, when with our life, we're dissatisfied,
We give in and accept that our misery's justified.
But just one adjustment, a change to/in our objective,
Can make all the difference when we alter our perspective.
When we understand why there are struggles in our life,
All with silver linings in spite of stress and strife,
We afford ourselves the ability to negate the negative,
Transform it into positive to be wiser how we live.
Not only wiser but more humble with our ego more subdued
To be more considerate of others, instead of callous, rude.
We're all a work in progress with each our own path to carve;
Who we are, become, depends upon what traits we feed or starve.
We all make mistakes and they're our best learning tools.
Those who acknowledge this become the wiser versus fools.
We all have attributes to help make the world a better place,
But if we do not bring them forth, we, ourselves, disgrace.
I am creative too as an artist with paint, pencil, brush,
But this creative field brings a different type of rush.
There is beauty all around us God has so richly painted,
That even the world's ugliness can't ruin, make tainted.
Since with animals and nature I've always felt at peace,
Accepted in His world of wonder, God's Masterpiece,
Through my art I try to capture the beauty I still see,
Hoping to remind others of the wonders God made to be.
Being blessed by God with the Gift of Creativity,
My gratitude's immense; I cherish most reverently.
Being given such a Gift by the Master of Creation,
All praise goes to Him with my absolute adoration.