Tag Archives: poem

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A Word of Thanks

A Word of Thanks

I’d like to take a moment to express my gratitude to all of the readers here on WordPress for their wonderful comments. I’ve seen the words “beautiful” and “powerful” used to describe my writing so many times here. I can’t express fully how much it means to see someone have the courage to say that out loud (or in print, I guess). For many years I felt compelled to follow the Way of the Warrior before I even knew it by that name. Concepts like honor, integrity, grace, selflessness, courage and beauty have always been driving motivators in my life, and there have been many people who have either failed to recognize, or doubted and accused me of not being genuine. The naysayers played a huge part in my seeking out and discovering the Way of the Warrior as well. It’s a path blazed in solitude, and it flies in the face of the comfortable, traditional and popular concepts many people choose to adhere to like cliques, groups, churches and cults. I took the concept of “surround yourself with the people you want to be like and cut out the ones who are negative, pessimistic and selfish” to the extreme and needless to say, it’s resulted in far fewer texts, e-mails and cell phone calls. :)  

I’ve never needed anyone to tell me that what I was doing was “powerful” or “beautiful” because *I* knew it, and that was enough for me. However, it is nice to know I’m not completely alone. It’s lovely to see another person every once in a while when you’re roaming the desert in solitude, no? :)  Although in the words of Heraclitus, 10 in every 100 shouldn’t even be here and 80 are just targets, it’s reassuring to see some fighters and sometimes even a Warrior drop by this blog. It’s nice to know you’re out there roaming too.

Thank you for gracing me with your own power and beauty.

~Miro

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Too Old To Change

You can’t teach an old dog knew tricks, but with effort, focus, perseverance and patience, a free-thinking, free-willed human being can change whatever they so desire. It’s time we stopped comparing ourselves to creatures that don’t and never will have our potential…

Too Old To Change

A cop out that I hear often is “Sorry, I’m too old”
People say they can’t change because of their rigid mold
Too much time has passed and now they’ll do what they have done
They’ll think they way they’ve always thought and change is what they shun

They make excuses that the passage of time does absolve
Because enough years have elapsed they don’t have to evolve
“Bullshit” is my blunt response to those who think they’re through
To their mentality and all the laziness they spew

For it’s not age but laziness that causes one to say
That they’re too old to modify simply ‘cause of some gray
Facade, a ruse, a guise, a show that I refuse to hear
When I hear the “Too old” excuse, I do make it quite clear

You’re never too old to improve, to learn, to grow, to try
You do not get a free pass simply ‘cause soon you will die
The battle starts the day you’re born and ends with your demise
And who knows, maybe it continues when the soul does rise

No exceptions, no excuses, and no sympathy
This Warrior is not concerned with how old you may be
No longer will I listen to those “Much too old to quit”
Or “much too old to deal with it without throwing a fit”

“Much too old to change my way of thinking of that group”
“I cannot change my pre-conceptions ‘cause my back does stoop”
Ridiculous is what it is, and elderly should know
Better than that, wisdom is what those years should bestow

Selflessness and understanding, empathy and hope
Not stubbornness and ignorance and refusal to cope
Shame on each and every grey-haired lazy person who
Thinks when greys come in that they no longer must pursue

Pushing selves to limits of their capabilities
Expecting more from themselves instead of pursuing ease
Saying “Never enough” even though they’re old and tired
No cop outs and leaving younger Warriors inspired

                                                                ~Miro

Related article: http://www.tellinitlikeitis.net/2011/06/too-old-to-learn-hogwash-youre-never-too-old-to-learn-something-new.html

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Crazy

Crazy

There once was a man who did walk
To his own beat so others did mock
They called him quite “crazy”
But he thought them quite lazy
Because of how they all did gawk

And pointed their fingers and laughed
And called him “way out there” and “daft”
But what they did not know
Is they did not bestow
Upon him not the slightest cool draft

Their chilly reception: ignored
Their insults left the man quite bored
He paid little attention
To all their apprehension
And did not care if he was adored

Years later he looked back and saw
That his “crazy” ways were not a flaw
Many times he was thrilled
And made him feel fulfilled
While the “non-crazies” looked on in awe

And they spoke about all he had done
Of the intriguing tale he had spun
How thinking outside box
And being crazy like fox
Had resulted in a life of fun

It was then that the man turned to crowd
Smiled widely and proudly avowed
“It’s all you that are nuts
For just sitting on butts
And not making your voice be heard loud”

“Though you may have thought I was quite weird
Though many of you laughed or sneered
Not once did I care
As I boldly did dare
To not let one thing ever be feared”

While the ones who called names had regret
The “crazy” man owed no such debt
‘Cause he was always true
To himself and his view
And did not let name-calling cause fret

                                                 ~Miro

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What If?

What If?

What if something does go wrong? What if it falls apart?
What if everyone does laugh and thinks I’m not too smart?
What if they think I’m a fool and think it’s a big joke?
What if I get nervous and start shaking and I choke?

What if the plan goes awry, what if something gets broken?
What if people aren’t happy and angry words are spoken?
What if folks are disappointed, saddened or upset?
What if all these things occur that haven’t happened yet?

What if you stopped worrying about what could go wrong?
What if you remembered that you’re focused, wise and strong?
What if you stayed present instead of living ahead?
You may just find your life will have not as much fear and dread

                                                                                    ~Miro

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The Wretch

“Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they’re wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It’s all in how you carry it. That’s what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you’re letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain.” ~Jim Morrison

The Wretch

There once was a pathetic wretch who got an injury
To get away from chronic pain was his one constant plea
The shooting pain turned him into a sour, sorry grouch
All he wanted to do was to lay down on the couch

He whined and cried and wanted all to feel sorry for him
He thought they did not understand how arduous and grim
That each and every single day had become in his life
No one understood, not friends, not family, not wife

He searched for help but no one seemed to be able to aid
Even the good Lord above was silent when he prayed
But then one day he encountered one with no sympathy
Who understood him well and proceeded to shake his tree

While many said, “So sorry” and they tried in vain to help
This Warrior he spoke to looked at him like a small whelp
This Warrior would not listen to all of his complaining
She made it clear to him that what it took was intense training

She closed the door on his dream of living his life pain free
She did explain that it was something he would never see
She called him on his bullshit and she told him who he was
She told him that managing pain is what a Warrior does

She told him, “It’s a part of you” and to step up and own
That it was now ingrained in him as much as flesh and bone
That he needed to embrace it as he embraced the rest
That it was something not to be loathed, hated or repressed

“Feel, accept, control, conquer, repeat when it is needed”
She looked at him with no remorse, he thought she was conceded
It burned how little sympathy she showed and made him feel
Like he was a pathetic wretch who liked to moan and squeal

He walked away from that meeting surprised and quite offended
But shortly after that he pondered and he comprehended
The cold, calm look upon her face had haunted him for days
It was the look of strength and truth in that Warrior’s gaze

She didn’t dance around his feelings or mince what she said
And she was the only person whose words rang in his head
The well wishes and thoughts and prayers went in and out one ear
But something about her delivery had shown no fear

The look upon her face he now thought back and did discern
She’d faced the same battle and now her Warrior eyes did burn
She came upon the same problem and made the choice to own
And that was why to his complaining she could not be prone

She knew it was not such a beast, that he was stronger than
Anything that ailed him but because he turned and ran
She saw him as pathetic for making the coward’s choice
No longer could he disagree with her Warrior voice

He stopped complaining of the painful hand that had been dealt
He left the groaning out when he spoke about how he felt
He kept a straight face and he clutched his pain close to his chest
“Thank you, Lord” he said to God, “I do feel very blessed”

Every single time he felt a stabbing, aching pain
He suited up and prepared to do battle with his brain
He fought and survived every time and grew in confidence
And since he learned great self-control, he did not take offense

Whenever someone else attacked, to him, another pain
To be endured with grace and strength on his life-long campaign
Of managing, not getting rid of all the things that hurt
He learned that the key was to face, not to run and avert

He was so thankful to that Warrior who told him straight
Who made him feel he was pathetic and made him irate
Now a Warrior, he did admit that she was right
He had become a wretch ‘cause of his chronic, painful plight

And since he did embrace the painful truth that she had spoke
No longer did he feel like a pathetic, sad jamoke
He did become a Warrior Poet who then did write
Wise words which at times offended, stung and did incite

But always had a theme which most were able to infer:
All the things that hold you back, discourage and deter
Are things that you can embrace, face and take ownership for
You have the strength within to fight that never-ending war

                                                                  ~Miro

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Light in the Darkness

Light in the Darkness

I hear a lot of folks complain
Of darkness in the world
How negative things have become
And hate that has unfurled

I see them fold their arms across
Their chest and just bemoan
Never doing anything
To change the world’s dark tone

“It’s hopeless!” they often declare
“What difference can I make?”
And that, my friends, is what is wrong
With folks who bellyache

They cannot fathom how one light
One tiny little flame
When lit up in pitch black rooms
Can so much darkness tame

There was a man two thousand years
Ago who was a light
And headlong did He walk into
The darkness of the night

He did not whine about how bad
That people treated Him
He didn’t sit and fold His arms
And let His candle dim

His name was Jesus and He was
The light in the darkness
No matter how much it enveloped
His light would not suppress

He taught people to not just hide
Away from all the gloom
But to enter into the
Most dark and somber room

To take their hope and faith and light
Into the darkest place
And let that light act as a torch
Illuminating grace

Casting out shadows of doubt
And silencing man’s greed
Acting as a beacon of
The hope that we all need

You cannot just sit by and wait
For your way to be lit
Your path can be made clear by light
That you yourself emit

You may work at a dreary job
With melancholy peers
But it will make no difference
If you go change careers

No matter where you choose to be
There will always be those
Who are the darkness in the room
And cast on you their woes

There may be some within your tribe
Who grumble and dissent
But in optimism’s light
Their darkness will relent

So don’t snuff out your flame of hope
And say it’s all for naught
Follow the shining example
That the Savior taught

Go headlong into the night
And cast your brilliant glow
Just as the great King of Kings did
All those years ago

Your light may not burn quite as long
As you may hope it to
But the flash left on their eyes
Will always imbue

And inspire others to
Spread their light to the dark
Sometimes all you need to see
Is just a little spark

                                ~Miro

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Attaboy

Attaboy

A man with confidence needs not
A big pat on the back
A lady who’s sure of herself
Does not need a gold plaque

A person who has certainty
Has no craving for praise
“Attboys” and “attagirls”
Just make the Ego raise

Be polite and thank them for
The gesture of acclaim
But be on guard to not be too
Affected by the fame

If you do fully ignore
The critics and their hate
You must also not cling to words
Of how they think you’re great

A nod, a smile, a “thank you” and
Continue on your road
Let it go, the insults and
The compliments bestowed

Because there are those who became
Too dependent on esteem
And found themselves depressed when the
Praisers ran out of steam

I guarantee you it won’t last
So learn to live without
Self-respect’s the most important
Praise with the most clout

It is not pride or ego but
A true self-confidence
That doesn’t wait for kudos so that
Their joy will commence

                                    ~Miro

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Ugly

“Beauty is variable, ugliness is constant.” ~Douglas Horton

Ugly

I know someone who’s quite ugly
I speak not of their face
They have a blemish that make-up
And lipstick can’t erase

Their eyes are quite alluring and
Their cheeks have pinkish hue
But despite their pretty face
They’re ugly through and through

They think only about themselves
And about their own views
They’d never be caught dead walking
A mile in your shoes

They think that they are always right
And never are at fault
They think because they’re pretty that
Their words do not insult

They have entitlement issues
They think the world does owe
Because of good genetics that
They’re so eager to show

One day life will slap the wrinkles
Right into their faces
And they won’t have their good looks to
Get into our good graces

Time will pull down on their skin
And make their eyes look tired
All the make-up in the world
Won’t make them more desired

And then they’ll have to face the truth
Which will cause them to pout:
They won’t have courage, grace and love
To make true beauty sprout

Youthful skin won’t hide their scowl
Or their lack of peace
Their true selves will be magnified
With every facial crease

And that’s when ugly people have
A slice of humble pie
When skin-deep beauty starts to be
In very short supply

When they cannot do anything
To stop what nature takes
When their vision starts to go
And when their body aches

They start to realize that they’re
Not perfect after all
Maybe they contributed
To every single brawl

And maybe then they’ll be able
To say “I’m sorry too”
“Now I see that the whole blame
Did not lay just on you”

It takes two people to argue
And to engage in war
Fights happen when one puts down
Their foot and says, “No more!”

To the beautiful uglies
Who are so conceited
Keep in mind what is in store
For your beauty ahead

Remember that your flesh and bone
Lasts only a few years
Everything that’s physical
One day just disappears

True beauty’s in virtues like
Benevolence and grace
And doesn’t have the slightest thing
To do with your cute face

                                ~Miro

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Hero

Hero

Heroes are what children need
As they begin to grow
Someone who values morals
And hard work won’t forgo

When I was a little boy
I knew a hero who
Embodied all the traits that I
Would employ when I grew

This hero worked his hardest to
Provide for all his kin
He put the needs of family
Before his own therein

He didn’t go out partying
And didn’t socialize
Every weekend, ‘cause to him
His family was the prize

Many times the places where
He worked would just close down
He never got depressed or drank
To make his sorrows drown

Tomorrow was a new day so
This hero hit the street
Never feeling anxious or
Dramatic or downbeat

He’d always find a new job ‘cause
The bosses plainly saw
A trait he had that somehow would
Employers always draw

His English wasn’t all that good
But his eyes did reveal
Fluently that this hero
Did his job with much zeal

He didn’t moan and whine and cry
When the work day began
He always gave his best and always
Acted like a man

He cared about the things that mattered
God, his kids, his wife
And didn’t give a crap about
The petty things in life

Like competition that so many
Wasted money on
While others were out making bets
This hero mowed his lawn

While others spent their dough on latest
Fashions, travel, cars
And blew all of their money at
The race tracks and the bars

This hero put in overtime
So that his house was paid
‘Cause he never believed in
Depending on bank’s aid

He never owned a credit card
Because it made no sense
To buy with money that you didn’t
Have in present tense

This hero may not have been a
Philosopher or scholar
But wisdom can also come from
Those who wear a blue collar

From him I learned integrity
From him I learned respect
I learned to stand up as a man
And as a man, protect

This hero taught me to say “No,
That doesn’t work for me”
He taught me sometimes you have to
Speak up and disagree

When someone doesn’t try their best
When someone drags their ass
When someone shows great disrespect
When someone shows no class

When someone doesn’t care as much
As you push yourself to
When someone takes for granted what
In life you can pursue

A child needs a hero as
It grows to an adult
Take it serious, don’t be
An aloof insult

To the concept of mentor
Teacher, trainer, guide
Be a hero so your kids
Remember you with pride

                                for Dad

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Chill Pill

Chill Pill

The dopey eyed and lazy sloth
Says “Take a chill pill, pal!”
He sees the Warrior’s passion
And wants to kill morale

“Chill pill?” the Warrior does ask
“To mellow out? Not care?”
The Warrior does ask the sloth
With his intense, cold stare

“Yeah man,” the sloth does respond
“Just chill, it doesn’t matter”
The Warrior holds his hand up
He’s heard enough sloth chatter

“Doesn’t matter?” Warrior grins
“That is where you are wrong
NEVER DOES IT NOT MATTER!”
He says loud, stern and strong

“What you are’s a cancer on
All people of the world”
The Warrior accuses as
Admonishment is hurled

“Your apathy does suck the life
Of all those passionate
You try to turn them into people
Who don’t give a shit”

The Warrior steps forward and
Now he stands nose to nose
The sloth’s heart starts to race, the Warrior’s
Heart only slows

He takes a slow, deep breath and says
With calm, unnerved boldness:
“Take your chill pill, choke on it
You apathetic mess”

NEVER let someone tell you
That you need to chill out
If it concerns anything that
You’re passionate about

Tell them to just choke on it
I swear they won’t be missed
One less sloth’s lack of passion
To make Warriors pissed

                               ~Miro