Changing flow

The stream of my life had been flowing
Away from all that made me paddle onward.
The pace was dampened by all the sludge
Which had attached itself to my oars and raft.
For this I was grateful as my attempts to row
Upstream were thwarted with consistency.
As least I had the waning time to sit and relax and watch
Backwards as everything I wanted drifted in the horizon.
Then suddenly an auspicious line appeared
And by simply grabbing ahold I was whisked aboard.
I was on a steamship heading back upstream
And my dreams, ever-so-faint, began to refresh.
My mind was racing with amazement
From the turbulence with which fortune had blown.
There was no need to ask why albeit the
Desire to know was gusting strongly.
I refused the temptation to rain on this
Magnificent occurrence with questions.
I sat back and enjoyed as I was made
Happier and happier by unexpected treasures.
No longer could I go without thanking
Whoever the captain of this pleasure cruise was.
I ran to the cabin of the vessel and much to my glee
There you stood manning the helms, guiding me.

WHO CAN YOU COUNT ON?

DAY AFTER DAY, THINGS HAPPEN TO ME
THINGS WE CALL LIFE, A GAME WE ALL SEE
SOME PLAY IT BETTER THAN OTHERS, THAT PLAY
YET WE "OTHERS" LIVE ON, DAY AFTER DAY

FROM OUR VERY FIRST HEARTBEAT, WE COUNT ON OUR MOTHER
THEN ADD FATHER, THEN SISTER, OR BROTHER
NO MATTER HOW STRONG THAT WE STAND ON OUR FEET
WE'LL NEED THEM FOREVER, FROM OUR VERY FIRST HEARTBEAT

FREEDOM AT LAST, TO ROAM WITH OUR FRIENDS
HOW OFTEN WE COUNT ON THEM ALL DEPENDS
WILL THEY BE THERE IN TIMES OF NEED FOR A BLAST
OR DISMISS US IN LIGHT OF THEIR OWN FREEDOM AT LAST

WHO CAN WE COUNT ON, THIS ANSWER WE NEED
"A DOCTOR", YOU CRY, "WHEN OUR INTERNALS BLEED."
HA, HA FOR NOW, BUT SAD IN THE END
FOR I KNOW NOT WHETHER COUNT ON FAMILY OR FRIEND
MY SAVIOR HAS YET TO APPEAR OR TO BE
SADLY NOT FAIR FOR I, YOU SEE
BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS, THEY CAN COUNT ON ME

CONTESTS

If you sign up, you may happen to win
So walk up to the wheel and give it a spin
Enter regardless of having a shot
Who cares whether you finish first or not
To finish at all is an accomplishment
And if not so what, it is still time well spent
At least you can say that you gave it a try
Don't dwell on the outcomes or even ask why
You can't always expect to be the best
You gave it your all, now it is time to rest
Save up the energy for some other day
When the next chance arises, you'll have it your way
There are contests happening all the time
Ranging from beauty, to talent, to intelligence, to crime
No rules are needed for a contest to start
Just a challenge with guidelines and members taking part
You see, everything, everyday is contested in life
From a prize to an award, to even a husband or wife
So don't waste opportunities worrying about the fall
Enjoy competitions and attempt to answer the call
Knowing in your heart, you gave it  your all

and much more!