Tag Archives: wisdom

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Vicariously

Vicarious: adjective – felt or enjoyed through imagined participation in the experience of others.

vicarious
Vicariously

The athlete wraps his swollen knee
To take the pain down one degree
He puts his uniform on and he stands

He stretches and he grunts and sneers
While in the background thunder cheers
Of fans who have some very high demands

He does some squats and starts to sweat
His knee and shoulder play roulette
Sometimes they stab, sometimes it’s just an ache

He does this every single day
And though the word they use is “play”
He knows that it’s not “fun” that is at stake

He pushes himself to his edge
He sacrifices, makes a pledge
To expect more from himself than of others

He puts on all his gear and walks
Out of the locker room and talks
With his comrades, his teammates and his brothers

But soon they’re all drowned out by fans
Who yell and scream within the stands
Who shout, “We’re gonna win!” with all their might

A man who hasn’t run in ages
Takes a swig of beer and rages
“Show them what we’re made of and go fight!”

The athlete sees another man
Who tries to not spill his beer can
While nachos balance in his other grip

He holds the chips up to his face
And gobbles some without much grace
And with a full mouth thunders, “Let ‘er rip!”

Thousands pack the seats today
To chant, to cheer, to hope, to pray
To live vicariously through the men

Who choose discomfort, struggle, pain
Through snow and sleet and cold and rain
Fans pin their hopes on warriors again

“We’re gonna win!” some slob declares
And athlete does look up and stares
A cold and steely glance because he’s heard

Enough people who act involved
So athlete’s poise becomes dissolved
Because for him it is all so absurd

He says what is on all the minds
Of his teammates as he reminds
The nacho chomping fan it’s not *his* win

Until he puts the nachos down
And hits the gym and goes to town
Which makes his teammates all chuckle and grin

The nacho chomping fan is stunned
He feels betrayed and hurt and shunned
And now he cheers for the opposing team!

Once again he lives through those
Who saw two choices and they chose
Not path of comfort but the one extreme

The athletes all compete and drive
Each other to feel more alive
While fans in stands sit by and feel connected

And cheer and pump their fists with zeal
As if their achievement is real
Vicarious accomplishment injected

They all go home and feel quite spent
“Man, what a game!” one does lament
“We gave them everything we had out there!”

The athlete shakes his head and limps
His way past all the oafs and wimps
And then collapses down into a chair

He slowly pulls the knee wrap off
The pain hits him and makes him cough
“WE won jack shit” he mumbles quietly

“The victory is for my team
No matter much you all scream
And how much you live vicariously”

                             ~Miro
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Spread the Fear

news
Spread the Fear

The radio turns on to wake you
For the next work day
The first thing that you hear is how
The world is in dismay

People being run over
By cars that fled the scene
Another child missing and
Another murdered teen

A cop shot down by bad guys while
Making an arrest
Right between the eyes and then
A couple in the chest

Earthquakes tearing buildings down
And storms that loom ahead
The more you tune in to the grief
The more the fear is spread

It slowly crawls off of the page,
TV, or radio
And creeps into your mind where it
Will never cease to grow

Countries warring with each other
“What if it spreads here?”
Economy is crashing, “I’ll lose
All things I hold dear!”

And more you fear, the more you’ll tune
Back into the fear vendors
Hoping that someone will rise
To become our defenders

Surprise, surprise, there’s just more fear
There’s just more ache and dread
Just more reasons to stay home
And not get out of bed

At some point you have to admit
That what they’re dolling out
Is no different than a drug
That you snort up your snout

Tuning in to hear the constant
Destruction and death
Makes you just like a junkie
Who’s addicted to meth

You’ve snorted, shot up and smoked it
So long that now you’re hooked
“A car crash on the 401?
Ah, now I’m feeling cooked”

“I’ve gotta see the news tonight!
Some kid got knifed at school!”
And when that story’s done, you’ll wait
For the next piece that’s cruel

I turned my news off long ago
When it was clear to me
That every venue in the news
Reported “balance free”

They focused more on fear and dread
And less on things with hope
Their business is in dealing their
Despair inducing dope

I know this for a fact because
I put them to the test
Recently when I embarked
An altruistic quest

I set out to raise funds and hope
For cancer patients who
Are battling a bigger fear
Than news could ever brew

Some local papers said to me
“We’ll think about it some”
Guess they needed time to try
To spin it as more glum

And others, no response at all
Not interested in hope
More concerned with spreading fear
Than helping patients cope

Same goes for the TV stations
All except for one
Not enamoured with the tale
Since there’s no smoking gun

Point proven both to myself
And hopefully to you
About the kind of message that
The newsman likes to spew

You won’t find hope or strength or faith
When you go turn that dial
All they want to dispense is
All of their fearful bile

Stop the spread and tune out from
The news that does no good
The stories that discourage you
From seeing things that could

Set your mind at ease and rouse
Your passion and your nerve
To realize the greatest purpose
In life is to serve

The fear wants you to stay inside
And keep serving their needs
Listening to their commercials
Bringing them proceeds

The fear will keep you in your house
Curled up in a scared ball
Only when you turn it off
Can you start walking tall

                                       ~Miro

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Sting

sting

Based on a true story…

Sting

A man called me to ask for help
The other day at work
He asked, “You like this crappy weather?”
Surely with a smirk

“Yes,” I said with no emotion
“I enjoy rough things
With struggle and with discomfort
And with whatever stings

And pains and tears and hurts us, we
Are brought more strength and grace”
He asked if I was kidding but
He could not sense a trace

Of sarcasm or humor in
My voice so then he said,
“How old are you?” and I replied
“36 years I’ve tread”

He laughed and dismissed,
“Oh that’s why, you’re still just a young pup”
And so to show him age means nothing
I then caught him up

“I’ve been hurt bad and am in pain
I’ve lost job and my house
And worst of all, I had to watch
My loving, graceful spouse

Endure the worst pain there could be
When we found out our child
Would never take its first breath,
Yes, I’m young but I’ve complied

More pain and struggle, misery
And loss in my short years
Than many grey-haired people have
In their longer careers”

He sadly said “I’m sorry” but
I replied “I am not
It’s all these things that I’ve endured
That strengthened, sharpened, taught

Imbued with patience, wisdom, grace
And showed me the true way
That is why it is no lie
Whenever I do say

That I enjoy the challenge, struggle
Discomfort and rigor
It’s all these things that awaken
That inspire, that trigger

The Warrior that was dormant
To pound chest and to roar
To rise to the occasion and
To take a little more”

All that he could say was that
He liked my attitude
I asked him what he thought of all
The snow that chilled his mood

He changed his mind and said that it
Was not so bad in fact
“No,” I said, “There are worse things
That cause greater impact”

Before he left, I asked him just
How old he was as well
“54” he said, then I
Inquired, “How much hell?”

“Not as much as you,” he said
So I replied, “Well then
If you are lucky, struggle will
Appear and bring you Zen

And only then will you see that
The years don’t mean a thing
Rather, it’s what you survive
The hurt, the pain, the sting”

                               ~Miro

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Compensate

compensate

Compensate

“All or nothing” is a way
Of thinking that will lead
To nothing more than standing still
If you have just one speed

As years go by the damage will
Take toll on a few parts
But when a limb is lost, that’s when
The intensity starts

And heightened training  on surviving
Limbs must then be done
If something is wrong with your arm
Your task is then to run

If knees are shot or ankles ache
Then get yourself a bench
Realize your arms still work
And can be used to clench

And lift and throw around dead weight
And get your life blood flowing
If atrophy attacks one part
Then others must be growing

Compensate, don’t sit and cry
About what doesn’t work
Don’t focus on injury
‘Cause healthy parts you’ll shirk

Warriors will find a way
To push themselves as far
Physically as they can go
No matter what does mar

They’ll run or walk with neck and back
And shoulder injuries
They’ll exercise their abs and chest
Despite their blown-out knees

They are aware of what remains
And let go of what’s gone
So that the healthy parts increase
In endurance and brawn

                                        ~Miro

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Strangers

strangers-are-just-friends-i-havent-met-yet

Strangers

I’ve recently made an attempt
To befriend random folks
A smile, a wave, a “Hello” and
Some chat-chat tried to coax

My findings were quite disappointing
Most were much too guarded
They were too busy and my efforts
Were quickly discarded

Many looks of suspicion
And much fear did I sense
My friendly and warm smile was
Met with a look quite tense

Very few humans are open
To meeting new people
Whether it’s the street, bus stop
Or under a church steeple

Why is everyone afraid
And always thinks the worst?
Why must people be hounded
Begged, pestered and coerced?

To be honest it makes me sad
To think about how shy
Defensive, cautious and averse
So many are to “Hi”

To put it into perspective
I wrote a poem filled
With inspiration and kind words
To help someone’s strength build

I tried to give this note away
But everyone responded:
“No thanks” as they hurried off
Each one of them absconded

I stood there staring at the note
And chuckled to myself
All their preconceived notions
To protect their own health

All their worry and caution
Had denied them a chance
To have their spirit boosted and
Their attitude enchanced

Because they thought I wanted something
Or was selling God
They thought to be that friendly and
Selfless was much too odd

I crumpled up the note and threw it
Right into the trash
I guess the only paper people
Take is cold, hard cash

Thank God for the internet
Where people stop and read
Where preconceived notions do not
Obstruct every good deed

                            ~Miro

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Champion Warrior

My good friend Fitz “The Whip” Vanderpool just won the Canadian Middleweight Title in his mid 40′s despite most people telling him he was too old. Once again, the Whip proves that “With Hope, It’s Possible!”

title

Champion Warrior

They told him “It’s too late, old man”
“You’re much too old to fight”
But Fitz “The Whip” knew that to be
Judged by age isn’t right

Those who judged were short sighted
And didn’t see the training
The heart, desire, sacrifice
The passion still remaining

The board, the public, so many
Gave doubt and disbelief
They tried to steal his Hope and tried
To fill his heart with grief

But Champions are not affected
By another’s words
Champions are not sheep that
Walk along with the herds

Champions look within and
They listen to themselves
A Champion sees strength inside
And bravely, deeper delves

A Champion does not hear what
The pessimists do warn
A Champion blocks it all out
‘Cause Champions were born

To jab, to hook, to uppercut
To fight ‘till final round
To take all that life has to give
And pound and pound and pound

And rip respect from clutches of
Those who don’t try their best
To take it by force from all those
Who much prefer to rest

Congratulations, Champion
You have proven once more
That with Hope it is possible
Now no one can ignore

~Congrats Fitz “The Whip” Vanderpool, 45 years young
New National Boxing Authority Middleweight Champion
March 2nd, 2013

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“I Give Up On You”

Another cold, harsh truth that many won’t be able to accept because they’ve been taught to “never give up on the people they love.” The truth is some of those people are parasites completely controlled by ego and will only sap your strength, not be helped by it..

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I Give Up On You

Countless readers have told me that my writing has said
Exactly in poetic form what they thought in their head
Concepts that they couldn’t find the right words to describe
And my poem took those thoughts and did properly transcribe

So here’s another rhyming song for something that is tough
Words for how you can tell someone that enough’s enough
When someone’s failed you many times and will so many more
It’s hard to not definitively want to close that door

We want to hope, we want to pray, that they will figure out
That what they’re doing’s selfish and they’ll take the proper route
We want to believe they will come around and open eyes
To cease with all their hating, accusations or their lies

There comes a time when intuition speaks to us quite clear
It tells us that it’s pointless now and that the end is near
And yet there’s messages from past which conflict and say “Wait!”
“You can’t abandon them, there’s hope that they’ll get their life straight!”

Confusion comes because to quit seems such a simple thing
But no, my brothers and sisters, it’s harder than to cling
To give up on someone who we gave so much love and hope
Is an extremely difficult climb up a lofty slope

It takes your effort, concentration, adamance, resolve
To make a friendship that you cared so much for just dissolve
It takes a constant reminder to self that it is right
That those who care just for themselves must be gone from our sight

And it’s important to remember that we’re not God
We cannot perform miracles on people who are flawed
We do our best and let it go and leave the rest to fate
We must release ourselves from that unreasonable weight

For it is truly without reason why we still stand by
People who destroy themselves and make their loved ones cry
There’s no reason in standing by someone who doesn’t care
You’re not a slave, you’re not a captive in their tragic lair

So stand up, speak up and say it, say “I give up on you”
I did my best, I’m satisfied that I cannot get through
I’m not a God or wizard and can only do so much
And so I now release you from my hopeful, caring clutch

It’s over, I give up because you’re just a parasite
Sucking life from anyone who casts their graceful light
It’s time you tried to shine yourself, and so I bid good day
I give up on you is all that I have left to say”

Sometimes it’s these cutting words, not words soft and so sweet
That rattle cages and force selfish ego’s quick retreat
A Warrior does not encourage, pander or condone
Ingratitude or thoughtlessness and makes their feelings known

                                                            ~Miro

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Be Selfless

Be Selfless

I know it’s hard to just forgive
To say “Oh well, live and let live”
To do the right thing, let go and move on

I know the hurt they did to you
Feels like it cut and stabbed right through
To your heart and now you feel so withdrawn

And even though you know what’s right
You feel you just don’t have the might
To free that heavy burden from your soul

My word of advice isn’t to
Be nice or polite to those who
Steal joy and on your peace exact great toll

My only request: Be selfless
Don’t think of self and all your stress
‘Cause stress occurs just if ego resides

Hurt feelings and torment are
The evidence ego’s not far
It’s in that constant hurt that ego hides

Be selfless, think not of your pain
And more you’re selfless, more you train
The more you do not take things personal

The more you’ll see the deception
That ego has on perception
And soon from your eyes you will pull that wool

There is no way to rectify
The wrong things done that make you cry
And angry, hurt, frustrated and so sad

There’s no redemption for some deeds
And their ego rarely concedes
So be selfless or it will drive you mad

Be selfless and don’t keep score
Stop saying how they made you sore
Be selfless ‘cause it’s selfishness that makes

All the hurt and all the scorn
So be selfless and sound the horn
And witness how within spirit awakes

                                          ~Miro

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To Mock A King

jesus

To Mock A King

Anyone can mock a man
And yes, most people do
Even without realizing
With their flippant spew

Anyone can mock a leader
Someone who tries hard
But often fails because they are
By their followers marred

Anyone can mock a God
Since most just can’t conceive
A being that’s far greater than
They are, they can’t believe

But there is a rare breed that can
Willingly mock a King
As a servant of one, I can’t
Think a sadder thing

My own King is one who receives
A lot of foolish mocking
I hear His name said as a swear
While I hear people talking

I hear the ignorant make fun
Without giving a thought
Of what this King did sacrifice
And lessons that He taught

They laugh and think this long-haired
Bearded King is so inane
They do not stop to think about
The suffering and pain

They show no thought of the message
Of love that He did guide
They disregard the grace He kept
Moments before He died

It takes a very unique person
To mock this great King
To make dumb jokes, to throw insults
To laugh and insults fling

It takes one that’s oblivious
To sacrificing all
To give everything of yourself to
Answer a higher call

It takes someone who does not see
Does not appreciate
A person who’s mission in life
Was to reduce the hate

Keep this fact in mind next time
You hear these people mock
Don’t just stand by silently
Don’t turn around and walk

Say things as you see them and
Remind them, tell them of
The life and mission of that King
His purpose: spreading love

Tell them that to mock a King
Takes very little class
Tell them when one mocks a King
It’s mocker who’s the ass

Tell them that they mock because
They feel they have low worth
Tell them that we must have something
Sacred on this Earth

To mock another is a sign
Of weakness and of fear
It’s one thing to mock family
A friend or mock a peer

But when one mocks a King I say
There is no greater shame
A revelation that they won’t
Give anyone acclaim

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Empaths

empath

Empaths

There is a type of person who
Is known as an Empath
While many think that they are blessed
They don’t know of the wrath

That comes with being so in tuned
With other people’s feelings
That for the Empath, even the
Most casual of dealings

Can uncover strong feelings of
Much fear, hate or mistrust
The Empath can pick up on things
Even if not discussed

A super-human attention
To detail that reveals
How a smiling, joking person
Actually feels

Some pick up an energy
While others just go by
Body language, chosen words
Or the look in their eye

The Empath is a sensitive
Compassionate observer
Many times they lose themselves
Amid another’s fervor

Shackled with acuity
They often lose control
Of their own thoughts and feelings ‘cause
Another does cajole

They’re overwhelmed by influence
Of what rages around
Every detail magnified
And amplified, each sound

Lucky or a blessing? No,
Most Empaths feel they’re cursed
Because each day they are witness
To humanity’s worst

The selfishness, the fear, the lack
Of any kind of hope
The whining and complaining and
The masses who just mope

The Empath knows there’s strength inside
Themselves and everyone
They’re cursed to watch most people simply
Ignore it and shun

The Empath sees the beauty in
The little things each day
But also sees the countless people
That piss it away

The Empath is a noble guard
A listener to all
They are the ones that you just can’t
Help but tear down your wall

And open up to, speak to, be
Vulnerable, exposed
Because the Empath’s mind is never
Ignorant and closed

They are the listeners who care
Who truly hear your tale
Who do relate to what you’re going
Through each time you fail

And they sustain a lot of wear
And tear from what they do
If only all knew what it’s like
To have empathic view

To let go of yourself and walk
A mile in their shoes
To feel their pain and not be able
To even refuse

Here’s to Empaths, blessed and cursed
With great acuity
True Warrior Poets who
Just wish they could be free

But that is not their lot in life
No, that is not their mission
In a world of ignorance
Their purpose is cognition

To listen, understand and teach
People about themselves
To be the fearless explorer
Who boldly deeper delves

Keep in mind what energy
You do choose to put out
You never know when an Empath
May be lurking about

                                ~Miro