One moment in time did change my life,

What once was peace, now is strife.

Am I alive or am I dead?

Why do these drums beat in my head?

My mom and bro are by my side,

Telling me about my wild ride.

I did just escape from death,

For a time, I held no breath.

A bright light did guide my way,

But my Gran said I could not stay.

There was more for me down here,

And there was nothing for me to fear.

She said I would not die,

And that I should not cry.

I would return to her someday,

But that day was far away.

For now, I must return below,

Where I could learn and grow.

I know now that it is true,

The world is bigger than me and you.

From that moment, I live each day,

Knowing it could all go away.

Live each moment like it’s your last,

Enjoy your life and have a blast.

Rage burns hot like fire,

your vexation turning to ire.

Why can’t people live in harmony,

instead of being filled with acrimony?

Everywhere you turn there’s indignation,

you really need a vacation.

Maybe to a beachfront palace,

so you can forget all the malice.

Lose the choler and the enmity,

before you return to your home city.

When all your anger has melted away,

return refreshed to your normal day.

The bus stop is a dreary place,

Doom and gloom on every face.

Another day, I’m off to school,

I forgot my homework like a fool.

My book bag heavy on my back,

My mind not on school but running track.

Finally, the bus comes down the street,

I move to the side, shuffling my feet.

Picking a seat halfway back,

My friends around me, like a pack.

The bus pulls away from the curb,

I rewrite my homework, every noun and verb.

I have arrived at school,

Exiting the bus, trying to act cool.

Strolling towards the door, the first bell rings,

I hurry off to class, gathering my things.

I sit at my desk, next to my friend,

Tomorrow at the bus stop, it begins again.

Life is like a backyard garden,

Tend your soul so it won’t harden.

Plant things you like best,

And weed out all the rest.

Fertilize and watch them grow,

Cause if you don’t, it will show.

Take good care of your garden plot,

Or things won’t grow, they will not.

Life is like gardening, again I say,

Both need love and work each day.

The pitter patter of little feet,

running down the hall to meet

me at the door each day,

takes a ton of stress away.

How can you think of school,

when you’re covered in dog drool?

Percy has been with me,

since I was only three.

Every night he lays his head,

at the foot of my bed.

Annabeth soon was there,

they are like a matching pair.

Anna took to my brother,

like there was no other.

Kam and Anna would never stay

still for long, they’d always play.

Next came Niko to the troupe,

three boys, three dogs, what a group!

They say dogs are man’s best friend,

I will believe that until the end!

The adoration of many, is that what it’s about?

Does a dogma of fealty give the illusion of clout?

I can say with certainty, for me that is not true.

My belief is in a higher power who loves both me and you.

Some use their conviction to show an air of arrogance,

When all you should be doing is acting with confidence.

Show your trust in God in your actions more than your words,

If someday you want your soul to soar higher than the birds!