Tender Tears

Be positive and confident,
and joyous all the while -
and you can be a great success
while wearing a great smile.

Success will bring you riches,
such fun, excitement too -
so do not let this world slip by -
revolve it around you.

Oh, there will be some hurting -
a child without his dad -
and though he may shed many tears
don't let him make you sad.

Just keep on smiling broadly,
and remember, others can -
show their deep compassion.
Don't interrupt your plan.

There's way too many people -
and all, you cannot do -
and after all - it's when you smile,
the world will smile with you.

Spread laughter, joy into this world -
put smiles on all the poor -
and if you still feel guilty,
donate a little more.

Ignore the child crying,
ignore her ragged clothes,
ignore the troubles, not your own
for it is how life goes.

Crack a joke on your success,
and brag on all you gave.
Jest and smile and live it up!
Die laughing to the grave...

And then, when you see Jesus,
and your world disappears -
will you get Him to laugh with you,
behind His tender tears?

This poem won first place for the August 2011 poetry contest