The Path of a Righteous Life (Poetry)

I've been maimed
I've been metaphorically shot
But through it all I have found my meaning
Living in better understanding of people's intent

I've been spat at
I've been yelled at
But now have better understanding
That people act blinded by social motives with no true content

Courageous efforts to prove that life has a meaning
Selfish efforts to define my own spirituality
Collective understanding to help direct humanity
Living life with true soulful intent is a burden

I've been loved
I've been hated
Contradictions only give meaning to life
Without them it wold only be predictably boring

I've been deceived
I've been carelessly caressed
But now I stand proud of my own thoughts
It is I who has to talk to myself and accept what be that may

Courageous efforts to prove that life has a meaning
Selfish efforts to define my own spirituality
Collective understanding to help direct humanity
Living life with true soulful intent is a burden

I've been used
I've been abused
It's life's warning
Of believing in yourself and living with one's own choices

I've been to heaven
I've been to hell
And now I know where I'd like to be
On this plane we call Earth, our physical realm

Our courageous efforts to prove that life has a meaning
Our selfish efforts to define my own spirituality
Our collective understanding to help direct humanity
Living life with true soulful intent is a burden
Living life with true soulful intent is a burden

-Oliver Bulfango (January 25, 2009)