Don't Give In! Poem by Merl Guth

Life will kick you when you're down, it's always a pretty safe bet.
When you're low and needing a break, a goose egg's what you'll get.
But don't give up and don't give in, life is built to make you tough.
The wind rarely blows against your back, and life's sea is mostly rough.

The trail is dry and dusty when the weather has turned off warm,
then slick with snow or a muddy mess, because of another storm.
You slog through life and curse the mud and hope for brighter days,
then hot sweat rolls down your face and neck when comes the hot sun's rays

There's seldom a happy medium, and only moments of slack tide,
but pride can come from a job well done that toughens up your hide.
Stand tall, square your shoulders back, take the rain with your head held high.
Real strength comes from the grit in your gut and a tempered look in your eye.

When you stand toe to toe with the devil and he lands a blow to your chin,
pick yourself up, dust yourself off, look him square in the eye once again.
When things look tough, you've got the right stuff, swing hard and aim for an eye.
You'll set that ole' devil right back on his duff, if you just give it a try.

Skilled sailors were never created from sailing on smooth easy seas.
True skill is learned in the face of the gale, and not in the gentle breeze.
When you feel you want to toss in the towel, and life's more than you think you can bear,
use that towel and wipe the sweat from your brow, cuz' pardner, you're almost there.

Merl Guth. 1-15-2019