Life is too short not to love

Life is too short not to love
And too long to harbor hate
Love warms the heart
While hate leaves us cold

Love brings us a smile
Which hate can only defile
Love makes our hearts grow
While hate eats at the soul

Love imprisoned, we cannot keep
But hate, we cling to and bury deep
Love brings us laughter, happiness and joy
Hate brings on sorrow and can only destroy

Hate is a cancer
But love springs eternal
And hate cannot conquer
This love in my soul

Inspired by Gigi Jones July 12, 2011

The Better Man

Younger than my years I was
When I first was on my own
A better man I strove to be
With wife and kids in tow

For love and strength and council true
They would have to go
A better man I must become
A better man they must know

Too firm a hand I had at times
And gentle words to few
For this better man's ways
Were hard for me and all together new

Once I was a better man
In days not long ago
Up strong and kind
Our kids we raised to grow

Have I become a better man
The one I strove to be
I see my kids and who they've become
And sometimes think... maybe

But in my heart l've always known
That just a man I'll be

John Pope July 6, 2011