The Arena of life by Dennis Okyere Brako

The Arena of life by Dennis Okyere Brako

Waiting In the arena, I dreaded playing the game

The panic of the announcer mentioning my name

Fear of defeat running down my spine

The screams of the vanquished playing on my mind

I saw the hailed, who came back maimed

I cannot play! This is not my game

But why should I sit, in the stands and ponder

Stare at the wounded conquerors and wonder

To be an onlooker from birth to death!

Tiptoeing silently to an early grave!

Tamed and unknown because I refused to play!

Oh no! I cannot stay, this is my way

I shoved off fear and strolled down the stairs

Picking my weapon, I put on my gears 

Brimming with courage, I entered the sphere

Then came in my foes, formidable and frightening

Unexpected and in a flash they attacked like lightning

Down I went with my blood spouting!

Back into the fight and I resumed my stall

I’ll never give in until I have given my all

I punched and kicked till there was a fall

Amid the drowning cheers, I‘ve had my victory

Shining in gold there was my trophy

My fears are trampled, a legacy for the century

Are you afraid, to enter the arena of life?

Stricken with fear in the colosseum of life

Muster your courage and step into the strife

Defeat will bite but continue the fight

To overcome the doubt, play with all your might

For your banner of victory lies on the other side

New self-order by Dennis Okyere Brako

New self-order by Dennis Okyere Brako

I’m circled and choking on every side

By the crashing burden of sorrows tide

My agony in the garden of Gethsemane

Equal the doom of so many

Determined I’ll rise and put on my gloves

Protect the geese and the golden eggs

Every side I’ll fight for personal peace

And water the withered ambition’s tree

I’ll spring, like rebirth of the phoenix bird

From the friction shall be polished the brightest gem    

On the anvil shall be born the finest edge

A new self-order shall emerge

Pick the pieces by Dennis Okyere Brako

 Pick the pieces by Dennis Okyere Brako

With careful measure I was built with treasure

Gleaming in splendor I was painted in leisure

Beyond measure my talents were forever

Graceful and lively I paced like the Piper  

Then came the storms I really dreaded

Every cell and muscle, cruelly shredded

Bleeding in pain, it was disguised as lessons

Shrouded in despair, I overlooked the blessings

Forlorn and cold I forgot the Creator

Self-imposed I lived in terror

Talents and abilities, thrown in the gutter

The spite of many, I could hardly gather

In silent reflections, I won’t be naive

Why should I ponder till the edge of my grave?

The pain of leaving my abilities untrained!   

And all the talents I would fail to maintain!

No matter the cost, I’ll pick the pieces

Resolutely bounce on the foundation of lessons

I’ll build from the remnants, the tower of the forgotten

Towards my goal; the trophy of blessings

My volcano by Dennis Okyere Brako

My volcano by Dennis Okyere Brako

Stretching forth into the heavens

Lies the mountain of the Vikings

Its peak smothered with ashes of ages

Memories of old forgone centuries

Hollowed and untroubled are the mighty peaks

Home of bats are its yawning caves

Overshadowed in silence the foggy ice

Quietly isolated and left in peace

Wherefore in the distance billows the other

Spitting smoke, fire and lava

Rumbling within the never resting magma

Endlessly smoking in awe and wonder

I looked and behold I will be the later

Lava of passion will I sputter

Resolutely boil my molten magma

Spout my torch I will not mutter 

Comfort Zone, Author Unknown

Comfort Zone, Author Unknown

I used to have a Comfort Zone,
Where I knew I couldn’t fail;
The same four walls of busy work
Were really more like jail.

I longed so much to do the things
I’d never done before,
But I stayed inside my Comfort Zone
And paced the same old floor.

I said it didn’t matter,
That I wasn’t doing much;
I said I didn’t care for things
Like dreams, goals and such.

I claimed to be so busy
With the things inside my zone,
But deep inside I longed for
Something special of my own.

I couldn’t let my life go by,
Just watching others win.

I held my breath and stepped outside
And let the change begin.

I took a step and with new strength
I’d never felt before,
I kissed my Comfort Zone ‘good-bye’
And closed and locked the door.

If you are in a Comfort Zone,
Afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were 
At one time filled with doubt.

A step of faith and the Word of God,
Can make your dreams come true.
Greet your future with a smile,
Success is there for you!

I do not choose to be a common man by Thomas Paine

I do not choose to be a common man by Thomas Paine

I do not choose to be a common man,
It is my right to be uncommon … if I can,

I seek opportunity … not security.
I do not wish to be a kept citizen.
Humbled and dulled by having the
State look after me.

I want to take the calculated risk;
To dream and to build.
To fail and to succeed.
I refuse to barter incentive for a dole;

I prefer the challenges of life
To the guaranteed existence;
The thrill of fulfillment
To the stale calm of Utopia.

I will not trade freedom for beneficence
Nor my dignity for a handout
I will never cower before any master
Nor bend to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect.
Proud and unafraid;
To think and act for myself,
To enjoy the benefit of my creations

And to face the world boldly and say:
This, with God’s help, I have done

Strength by Roy Benson Freeman

Strength by Roy Benson Freeman

Yes Lord, it's me again and like always I'm in need
Though not for fame and fortune my heart is without greed

I'm just weary from the burdens and the strength I seem to lack
I'm not asking for a lighter load, Lord I just need a stronger back

There are times when the road gets rough and it's hard to carry on
When rest always seems out of reach and all but faith is gone

Make my mind think clearly and use the wisdom it's acquired
Don't let decisions come in haste when my body becomes tired

My feet always seem smaller than the shoes I need to fill
And that's when I still need you Lord and know I always will

Alone in weakness I would falter but if you'll walk by my side
I can persevere in troubled times and within your strength abide

When my knees start to tremble and I fear that I may fall
I bow my head and close my eyes and on you Lord I call

And I pray that you'll walk with me as I strive along my way
To give me strength when I am weak and courage when I'm afraid

 
No I don't want a lighter load when this weight is all I've known
All I ask for in times like these is the strength to carry on

Ain't It Fine Today by Douglas Malloch

Ain't It Fine Today by Douglas Malloch

Sure, this world is full of trouble
I ain't said it ain't.
Lord, I've had enough and double
Reason for complaint;
Rain and storm have come to fret me,
Skies are often gray;
Thorns and brambles have beset me
On the road but say,
Ain't it fine today?

What's the use of always weeping,
Making trouble last?
What's the use of always keeping
Thinking' of the past?
Each must have his tribulation
Water with his wine;
Life, it ain't no celebration,

Trouble?  I've had mine
But today is fine!

It's today that I am living',
Not a month ago.
Having'; losing'; taking'; giving';
As time wills it so.
Yesterday a cloud of sorrow
Fell across the way;
It may rain again tomorrow,
It may rain but say,
Ain't it fine today?

Be the best of whatever you are by Donna Levine

Be the best of whatever you are by Donna Levine

There is inside you
All of the potential
To be whatever you want to be;
All of the energy

To do whatever you want to do.
Imagine yourself as you would like to be,
Doing what you want to do,
And each day, take one step

Towards your dream.
And though at times it may seem too
difficult to continue,
Hold on to your dream.

One morning you will awake to find
That you are the person you dreamed of,
Doing what you wanted to do,
Simply because you had the courage
To believe in your potential
And to hold on to your dream.

The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus

The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame

With conquering limbs astride from land to land

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows  mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame,

Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!' cries she
With silent lips. 'Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

“Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me;
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!'