Facing Manhood

It wasn't the most comfortable seat,

but I suppose it wasn't suppose to be.

My feet wrapped solidly around the rails,

my heart was hoping not to fail.

One side short,

the other long.

One side right, 

the other wrong.

I sat atop this lonely fence,

fighting back the fear.

Wondering which side I'd choose,

or whether I'll stay right here.

Courage. Fear. Courage. Fear,

I battled back and forth in mind.

Is this the moment to become a man,

is this the place and time.

A short jump means the same old thing,

a long jump means I'll change.

A short jump meets a cowardice boy,

a long jump meets a man.

I gripped the fence with mighty strength,

and closed my eyes with hope.

I prayed that God would lose a boy,

and gain a man in slope.

With one last look my hands released,

I felt the winter air.

The easy side was long far gone,

and I faced the man I dared.

What lay down here I can not know,
but the journey will be hard.
Rest assured that God is near,
in every step and every yard.

The choice is yours to face the fear,

and test your strength head on.

For courage always will prevail,

and God's protection will shine on.

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Check out this other great poem by Peter Choi, "Three Men at the Wall".

Three Men at the Wall

Nineteen boys had found a town

But none could enter in.

Perhaps too young, the boys were told

To "come back as grown men."

Twelve feet high, cemented sky

No soul could overlook

These solid walls were built so tall

By Words from that great Book.

"Let's go back home, let's sleep a while

Until we're old and tall.

And maybe when we come back then,

They'll let us past that wall."

So sixteen left along their way

With a lie inside their minds:

That manhood simply happens

By the passing of the time.

But try they did, the three who stayed,

These boys did try again.

Their child-like faith kept telling them

That they should not give in.

Their yearn for knowledge yet unknown

Beyond these sturdy walls,

No matter all the times they failed,

The boys kept standing tall.

Three years now passed

But unaware those days had slipped so fast,

One bright and fine and hopeful day

These boys – they finally passed

The roadblock that had tested them

And inflicted so much pain.

But on the other side, the boys now realized

They had changed.

Mature and strong, wise and bold,

Men they had become

From persistently pursuing

The very challenge they begun.

Now sixteen came, impatient boys

No different from the past

Older, taller, lazier

But nothing more than that.

"You cannot pass, you cannot pass,"

The gateman spat again,

"Please, little boys, why don't you come back

When you are grown men."

Confused and angry all these boys,

But what else could they do?

But sadly turn back home to where

"To wait" was all they knew.

Beyond these walls, I'm not allowed

To share what's hidden there.

For that is only known to men

Who’ve actually traveled there.

But one thing I assure you,

Those three were satisfied

For they had not believed in lazy, childish, boy-made lies.

This town it still exists.

I cannot tell you where.

But if you truly seek it first,

I'll probably see you there.

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This was a guest post by Peter Choi! Peter and his friends founded "The Weekend Press" 

to inspire individuals to follow their dreams and encourage creativity. Check it out!

The Man In The Glass

As I work on the new series for 2012, I have come across a great poem while cleaning my house. I have a lot of awards from high school and college that I was rummaging through and this classic poem was found. After researching it, I have found it to be written by a man named Peter Dale Wimbrow Sr.. And it dates back to 1934. According to the family, the name of the poem has been changed and the author is mostly now know as anonymous or someone else. You can check out the official site for the author and the original poem here. This version and name is slightly different, but it is the one I found so I will post it. It is amazing to read this poem and see how relevant it still is today.

When you get what you want in your struggle for self,

And the world makes you king for a day.

Just go to the mirror and look at yourself,

And see what that man has to say.

For it isn't your father or mother or wife,

Whose judgment upon you must pass.

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life,

Is the one staring back from the glass.

Some people may think you're a straight-shootin' chum,

And call you a wonderful guy.

But the man in the glass says you're only a bum,

If you can't look him straight in the eye.

He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,

For he's with you clear up to the end.

And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test,

If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years,

And get pats on the back as you pass.

But your final reward will be heartaches and tears,

If you've cheated the man in the glass.

-Peter Dale Wimbrow Sr