In Pursuit of Poetry

March 4 - The Meaning Of Life by Patricia A. Fleming

March 4, 2018
Yesterday I made a discovery of my own while looking for poetry websites. I found this one:
https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/

The excitement of finding a new website I like reminds me of my grade 5/6 practicum teaching experience when I got to teach the poetry unit... and the grade 6 girls were so excited to learn. There enthusiasm sparked my own and I hope they are still as thrilled as they once were because that is what makes life - and teaching - so wonderful.

Anyway, back to this particular website.

https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/images/hero/life.jpg
I am delving into the life poems section today....

The True Meaning Of Life

© Patricia A. Fleming
Published: July 8, 2017


The Years have passed by,
In the blink of an eye,
Moments of sadness,
And joy have flown by.

People I loved,
Have come and have gone,
But the world never stopped,
And we all carried on.

Life wasn't easy,
And the struggles were there,
Filled with times that it mattered,
Times I just didn't care.

I stood on my own,
And I still found my way,
Through some nights filled with tears,
And the dawn of new days.

And now with old age,
It's become very clear,
Things I once found important,
Were not why I was here.

And how many things,
That I managed to buy,
Were never what made me,
Feel better inside.

And the worries and fears,
That plagued me each day,
In the end of it all,
Would just fade away.

But how much I reached out,
To others when needed,
Would be the true measure,
Of how I succeeded.

And how much I shared,
Of my soul and my heart,
Would ultimately be,
What set me apart.

And what's really important,
Is my opinion of me,
And whether or not,
I'm the best I can be.

And how much more kindness,
And love I can show,
Before the Lord tells me,
It's my time to go.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/the-true-meaning-of-life

I chose this one this morning. My favourite lines are in the second last and last stanzas - what's really important - my opinion of me and how much love and kindness I can share. Ultimately, when all the polish and extras are stripped away, it comes down to just me.... have I been my best? Been kind to others? Loved others? That is what truly matters and it is a good reminder as I strike out for my own day.

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