Comment from Seshadri_Sreenivasan

Excellent

I like the way you have poetically explained the act of self-preservation. We are all born with self-preservation. That is nature's first law. Thanks for sharing!

 Comment Written 08-Mar-2021

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reply by the author on 08-Mar-2021

Thank you for your insightful review. Yes, we are all born with the ability to preserve ourselves.
Have a great week,
Jesse

Comment from Patty Palmer

Excellent

How wonderful that you have had a new realization of life. Whatever you attribute it to, I am glad that it has happened for you. Hang in there and always believe in yourself. God bless!
Patty

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2021

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reply by the author on 08-Mar-2021

Thanks, Patty, for your caring and thoughtful review. I am doing as well as can be expected and yes, I will always believe in myself.
Have a great week,
Jesse

Comment from Begin Again

Excellent

I was taught as a child that if we want to achieve something or change something, we must do it ourselves, not depend on others to do it for us. We must always strive to move forward even in our darkest hour. Smiles!

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2021

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2021

Thank you for your kind review. Unfortunately, I was not taught those lessons as a child. Thus, I am learning them in my later years. Yet, it is never too late to learn! Thanks for the smiles and the warm response.
Have a beautiful week.
Jesse

Comment from Leann DS

Excellent

How accurate it is when you say that when things inside of you are crashing down, the external world doesn't even matter. To me, this defines the internal struggle so many face with clinical depression. The ending is a positive message of hope, and that is so important for others to hear.

Thank you for sharing. Hugs.

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2021

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2021

I write fairly accurately. And yes, I suffer from depression. It is cathartic for me to express my emotions in words that hopefully resonate with others. I usually find this to be the case. The ending is always, in my estimation, the most important part leaving one with a sense of hope and hopefully, inspiration. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for the excellent rating and review.
Have a great upcoming week.
Jesse

Comment from Michele Harber

Excellent

I was going down the list of featured poems, and was very happy to discover this. I admire the optimistic attitude you express. Your poem is very uplifting because you didn't let difficulties keep you down. You've shown that, in the face of adversity, we can search inside ourselves to find strength and deal with whatever life has to throw at us. Hope is one of the greatest human attributes and, with it, anything is possible. Thank you for reminding your readers that finding hope and strength is within their own power.

 Comment Written 07-Mar-2021

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2021

Thanks, Michele. I am very happy to see your name next to this review as I value your opinion so highly. This poem was borne of a lot of sweat and tears, and many hardships that I still have to overcome. No matter what I am going through I try to see my way through it to the other side. Words like "hope" are symbols of a way of living that I embrace and I am glad you see the benefits in my writing this. An integral part of my success is the friends I have made along the way and I consider you as one of them.
Take care,
Jesse

reply by Michele Harber on 07-Mar-2021

Thank you, Jesse. Attitude is everything. For any bad thing that's ever happened to me, I'm always well aware that it could have been worse. I'm alive, I have all my limbs, I'm something vaguely resembling sane, so I'm a lucky person. I'm not saying I don't ever hit a "Why me?" stage, but the trick is to get past it, and you seem to have mastered that art.

reply by the author on 07-Mar-2021

Thanks, Michele.
I am grateful for being alive, and yes, I have all four limbs. I may be in a wheelchair, but I know I will one day soon, (I hope) walk with merely the aid of these walking sticks I bought for myself as an incentive! I am a work in progress, as I think most of us are. I appreciate your kind encouraging words, and know that it is with friends such as you that I hold my head up high, and know that there are no limits to what I can accomplish. It may take me the rest of my life but, I have that anyway, right?
You are a great friend, Michele and I am eternally grateful for you!
Jesse

reply by Michele Harber on 08-Mar-2021

I'm obviously a bit behind in responding to replies, but I'm trying to catch up. I admire your attitude. Hopefully you'll walk again, but even if, for any reason, that didn't happen, then you'd roll. The point is, you're still here, you have all your faculties, and your life will still be as good as you let it - and, considering your attitude, it should be a very good life. (This is starting to sound way too much like our recent FS posts.) The important thing is that you do have the rest of your life ahead of you, as you said. Make the most of it, and know you have a friend rooting you on.

reply by the author on 09-Mar-2021

Your sweet kindness is, at times, overwhelming given the sincerity of which you write. Sadly, some people 'blow smoke up...' (so to speak) with their words but, I know that you genuinely mean them, and that makes all the difference in the world! Knowing that I have you in my corner rooting for me, helps considerably in more ways than I can express. Life is good...so good in fact that I have increased the amount of sleeping I am able to do now. Sleep has always been an issue for me, (insomnia, that is) but currently, I take a number of 2-hour naps that help me make it through the day. Credit goes to friends like you, Michele!
Have a wonderful day,
Jesse

reply by Michele Harber on 09-Mar-2021

My parents taught me to be kind, courteous and honest, and I try very hard to live up to that. They also taught me the value of friendship - as have the friends who have been there for me when I needed them.

You sound really happy, and in a great place emotionally, and I'm happy to hear that. If I've helped in any way, I'm glad, but don't give me too much credit. As we've been saying, you're responsible for how you choose to live your life, and it sounds as though you've been making some really good choices.

reply by the author on 09-Mar-2021

You are right, of course. Today, I made some healthy choices at the health food grocery store and am proud of myself for that. Each little choice I make works either for me or against me. Sort of a Zen way to be I suppose. I work very hard on self-improvement but, it is with friends like you that I get to boast about my accomplishments, (little as they may be) and that helps a lot!
Thanks for the encouragement, my friend!
Jesse

Comment from Vanna1

Excellent

This sounds so sad I want to give you a hug. Good presentation. The theme is dramatic. Nice word choice. Hope is all we have left in the dark, we look for light. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2021

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2021

Yes, we are all looking for that light at the end of the tunnel, aren't we? Thank you for your kind words, and the 'virtual hug' is appreciated very much.
Jesse

Comment from nancyjam

Excellent

A wise message presented in your poem. We do have control over our lives and can change if we believe we can. Also believe in asking God for help. Faith and prayer cn give us courage as well.
Nancy

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2021

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2021

Thanks, Nancy, for this uplifting review. I always appreciate when my writing is referred to as "wise." Self-direction helps me considerably.
Take care,
Jesse

Comment from robyn corum

Excellent

Jesse,

Hmmmm... This piece is quite cloudy - which I have no doubt it's meant to be. Evidently, something momentous has happened to you recently - but the most important this is how you have decided to handle it. Kudos to you for seeing the bright and positive side of things - that's often the hardest part of this crazy life.

I've been through a lot of ups and downs, myself. But as long as you have hope - you can face ANYTHING and come out on the other side. Good luck!

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2021

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reply by the author on 06-Mar-2021

Thank you, Robyn, for wishing me good luck. I agree it is a crazy life, indeed.
Jesse

Comment from KSUlshafer

Good

We all have the choice of either giving up or rising up. A favorite Japanese saying comes to mind, Fall down seven times, get up eight. To persevere is to prevail. Very well expressed here.

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2021

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reply by the author on 06-Mar-2021

Thank you for your thoughtful review.

Have a great day,
Jesse

Comment from papa55mike

Excellent

Hope is one of the most powerful forces in the universe. It can create a path for the future. What a wonderfully written poem. I wish I had a six for you. Best of luck with your writing!

Have a great day, and God bless.
mike

 Comment Written 06-Mar-2021

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reply by the author on 07-Mar-2021

Thanks, Mike. Your 'virtual six' is well received and appreciated. Thank you for the kind insightful words.
Take care,
Jesse