Things are what they are

the morning dew caresses my feet

as I step into the garden abloom

I take a cleansing breath

and release yesterday's memory of doom

the past is filed away and sealed

carted off to a faraway land

all the lessons learned I keep

though tearful memories are now banned

in this new day I lay my trust

eager to learn and yearning to thrive

I'll seek through small and majestic alike

as a pleasure hunter I will survive

my novel optimism shan't be undone

I choose to see beauty and poetry and sun

I refuse to be trapped again and again

in sticky webs torrid misery has spun

and when life's waves come crashing down

trying again to conquer me

I will boldly stand my ground

I shall not cower, I shall not flee

things are what they are

I shall roar to each wave

and you are just one more thing that is

no longer will I be a slave

 

Author's Note

Your comments are welcome. Thank you.

Reviews

[Gandré]

this was for me a poem which made me think how strong people can be.
great writing.

[Enthusiast]

Dear John,

Thank you for your review.

"Shan't" is perfectly legal in UK English. English is not my first language, and I learned in Europe where all the professors were UK-educated. I used the word on purpose, not wanting to use the "won't" equivalent, as the meaning between the two is subtly different.

Also, if you look closely, the second and fourth lines in each stanza rhyme.

Again, thank you for taking the time to read the piece. I appreciate your feedback.

[John Morris]

This is powerful but it had a few flaws 'shan't' does not should right when reading is shall not 'shan't' is not a word and takes the reading out of the flow.

'and realease yesterdays's memories of doom' this seems like you were trying to rhyme with abloom and yet the rest of the poem does not rhyme. It sounds odd.

Apart from that this i a great write, well done.

[An owl on the moon]

Powerfully determined and beautifully expressed! To face life with hope and joy, come what may, is so very uplifting. Wonderfully written!