This Poem was Submitted By: stephen g skipper On Date: 2005-09-07 07:35:00 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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Ode To A Younger Me

Be pleasant to people on the way up, as you’ll surely meet them on the way back down. Be honest with your feelings, don’t be afraid to cry. Make not a judgement, until a mile has been walked in the others shoes. Be faithful and true. Never question a No. Open doors, stand a round, give up a taxi, remember your Ps and Qs. Buy the "Big Issue", For there by the grace of god go you. Be constructive with compassion. Don’t make promises lightly. Listen with an open mind to others views, but wary of “Ism’s”. Begrudge not a favour as soon as it is given. Be courteous and respectful of every mother you meet. Treat as you would wish to be treated. Make breaks quick and clean. Don’t be sad, let stress just wash you by. Yesterday’s are pleasant, tomorrow’s are full of excitement, but it is in todays that we live and die. Have no regrets on saying goodbye. Keep no secrets. It takes two to fall in love, but only one to climb out. Hurry to your home where “proper love” resides. Tell her you love her, in an old fashioned way. Kiss her once with passion, each and every day. Remember your dreams. Forever and a day, Is for real.

Copyright © September 2005 stephen g skipper

Additional Notes:
I was talking to my wife about a young friend who has been having relationship difficulties and I got to thinking about all the "advice" I had been given as a younger man. This is a selection of the ones that had any worth to me!


This Poem was Critiqued By: arnie s WACHMAN On Date: 2005-10-06 12:22:16
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.71111
Well, they're all good...most of which were taught to me by my father. He talked to me mostly in parables. May I add one more which I adhere to strongly? Well here it is anyway - Never lock the back door for you may never know who will walk through it that you once shut out and now you may need that person. Okay...now go live your philosophy.


This Poem was Critiqued By: marilyn terwilleger On Date: 2005-10-04 13:57:47
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Steve, You have written some wise and profound statements of advice here. I once wrote a similar poem which I think I called "Ramblings" or something like that. We are given so much advice as we grow and mature, some of it we heed and some we don't, but it is mostly given with the best intentions. I really like your first two lines...be pleasant to people on the way up as you'll meet them on the way back down...nothing could be more true or unheeded than that....don't be sad let stress just wash you by...oh don't we wish we could always do that? My father (who I know now was a very wise man) always told me if you can't change it by worrying about it then don't worry. Great advice that I have not always been able to follow. I do try but some things can't be solved without some worry...if it is constructive that is....yesterdays are pleasant tomorrows are full of excitement...that is soooo true but it is todays that we live and die...I really like the way your wrote this line....it takes two to fall in love but only one to climb out...another remarkable statement....remember your dreams (yes,yes) forever and a day is for real...lovely. I am glad I found this poem it is so full of the right stuff that all of us should live by...it just takes a little work! Peace...Marilyn
This Poem was Critiqued By: Karen Ann Jacobs On Date: 2005-09-20 11:27:24
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Before I read your note at the end, I kept thinking about the advice our parents give us and how in this poem I had the impression that you were being your own parent, sending this advice back to your younger self. Then I realized, as a parent myself now, I give my kids the advice I wish I’d gotten or the advice that worked for me, and our kids are a part of ourselves, so in a sense we are sending advice back to our younger selves. Very cool poem. Thank you for sharing it. Kayren
This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2005-09-10 22:57:25
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Stephen, I take this as free form although from my recent learning it possibly could be considered an espistle. At any rate, it was an easy ready and for me quite timely, things that sometimes in our busy day to day lives we forget or just overlook and all good points that we should try to keep formost in our minds and actions. This comes off well as good advice and not preachy.......thanks for this offering. Lora
This Poem was Critiqued By: Duane J Jackson On Date: 2005-09-10 07:05:40
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Stephen, Anyone would come away enlightened from a piece like this...there is wisdom in every line and there is no doubt in the mind of your reader that the advice was of immense worth to you. I like the way you you've taken all of it, structured it into poetic form and shared it with us on the link. The rhyme gives it good rhythm but that is minor in comparison with the knowledge contained herein....Not much I can say except for "may it percolate through society's most selfish and darkest quarters". Take care, Duane.
This Poem was Critiqued By: DeniMari Z. On Date: 2005-09-07 15:10:51
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Dear Stephen, This is nicely written and full of good advice - akin to proverbs, I might add. Isn't nice to be able to reflect; and know these things instinctively now? The source of wisdom, we can learn from others is never ending - I love see the different prespective other people have on issues in life. Sometimes others can be objective to see what we don't for ourselves. I like the structure of this, as each item should be separated to add clarity. This is inspirational, and uplifting and was an enjoybable read for me. Take care, Deni
This Poem was Critiqued By: Paul R Lindenmeyer On Date: 2005-09-07 14:33:59
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Stephen, thanks for the "To Do" and "Remember This" list. It is always of value to post Wisdom's suggestions. Worth copying and wall papering my childrens rooms with pehaps. Thanks for the post, Peace, Paul
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