Poem: Persist despite the problems

Life’s a paradox, a riddle so vexing,
A maze of contradictions, so perplexing.
It’s sweet and bitter, hot and cold,
And one’s destination cannot be foretold.

We’re told to expect the unexpected,
But can we truly be that protected?
We’re asked to manage what we cannot control,
While also taking risks to reach our goal.

We sweat and strive, we pant and we play,
And still, success can sometimes slip away,
While triumph rests on the luck of the draw,
And failure is a teacher we can’t ignore.

Though life’s dichotomies can be quite hard,
With courage, grace, and a hopeful heart,
We’ll navigate the brambles and the thorns,
And emerge victorious, even when forlorn.

So let’s embrace this paradoxical life,
And weather its storms, with a smile amidst the strife,
For each challenge we face, strength we gain,
And with each setback, a new lesson we’ll sustain.