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Life Is One Tough Pill to Swallow

A Childhood Cancer Survivor Poem
© 2016 Christine Mulvihill

Through the years I have learned
Life is one tough pill to swallow.

I’ve learned to triumph and to give up
I’ve learned I can do anything with a full coffee cup,
I’ve learned there are some things in life you just can’t have
And I’ve learned having them doesn’t always make you happy.

I’ve learned when you love someone they don’t always love you back
And nothing hurts more than a broken heart,
I’ve learned that friends can be the most important things in life
But getting on their bad side can be like standing under a knife.
I’ve learned when you throw a cookie in the sky, God doesn’t take it
But as long as it’s not wax he appreciates the thought,
I’ve learned not to take people you care about for granted
They may be here today but you never know what tomorrow brings.
I’ve learned that crying about the past can’t change a thing
And worrying about the future will make the present even worse,
I’ve learned to fight for what you want in life
But before you start make sure you know what you are fighting for.

I’ve learned that people can steal your stuff
But they can’t steal your dreams,
I’ve learned that even the meanest person you know still has a heart
And that no one is too mean to cry.

I’ve learned that people change and grow apart
But it’s those people you should keep in your heart,
I’ve learned that people can be smiling on the outside
But crying an ocean on the inside.
I’ve learned that being too young is not such a bad thing
But being too old isn’t good either,
I’ve learned winning isn’t all it’s cracked up to be
But failing can burn like fire.

Over the years I’ve learned;
To laugh
To love
To sing
To smile
To dance
To win
 ~~~
To lose
To fail
To pain
To hate
To cry
To wallow
I’ve learned that life is one tough pill to swallow.


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