Claire V. Bogdanos

Pick up all the pieces

and put them all away,

In dark and secret places

until another day,

Gather all your problems

and leave them in some pit,

Cover them with laughter

and sprinkle them with grit,

Smile no matter what it costs,

hide those useless tears,

Face the world with bluster

pretend you  hold no fears,

And meet the challenge bluntly,

greet the day each morn,

Courage give fair warning,

heroes are made not born,

Strength like love, must be

acquired never to be bought,

And wisdom used with caution,

lessons to be taught

Repress those distant feelings

and with faith hold them,

Take your dreams into your

 hands and firmly mold them,

Try a little patience

garnish with emotion,

Add a drop of conscience

leaving just devotion.