Beginning to Live

Wrote this poem last year.
Inspired by Rudyard Kipling's "If" poem.

Dedicated to all of us who think we really are living...

If you can bring yourself down

When you are high above

If you can pick yourself up

When everyone you trusted had the fault

If you can smile a real smile

When everything around makes you frown

If you can trust yourself

When everyone doubts you

If you can give respect

Without asking for any in return

If you can love yourself

With out seeing any beauty

If you can work hard

Without damaging your good mood

If you can keep yourself together

Without destroying  anyone or anything

If you can see hope

Where there is no light

If you can lend a hand

Where there is no help

If you can make others smile

When you smile

If you can love

When you have been neglected

If you can laugh where there is silence

If  you can find God

Where there is only darkness

And be able to walk

without having to drag your feet

then my love

is when you will begin to live.