Only Be Determined

By Donny Shankle CPT

You're going to have a chance one day

Maybe just a choice for others

To make a decision or pursue a path

Know that your wisdom is no guarantee of success

Whether it be conditioned victories that ended in defeats

Intimate love eclipsed with unbearable and painful loneliness

Cold homelessness atop uncertain accommodations

Or simply a belly full of condensed broth

It will never be a question of your ability to persevere through chances and trials

Failure is a guarantee and at times a blessing

Have the conviction, however, to never let it end there

Fierce determination is the surest way to manifest a dream

Every time a challenge is presented run to it

Dig your nails in the fucking earth and crawl to it

Do not dare miss your chance to live forever

And surely don't give a damn to those the quill will never be dipped for

Remember man at his best overshadows his worst

You will never get to do any moment of life over again

Live with that pain everyday and apply yourself infinitely again and again

Or lie forever with the worms as they drink the pools of tears from your eyes

Everything you do ensure it is done with the determination of being the best

Leave lasting impressions to those who cross your path

Intend for men to never forget the exertion it took of their lungs to keep up with you

Make love to your woman with indelible passion she will tremble to feel again

There is no soul on God's green earth who lives without mistake

Wash your hands of it and seize your moment

Don't let any second rate son-of-a-bitch rob it from you

And certainly don't be the coward who stinks of nothing but self-pity for himself

Let your determination be a parasite on the minds of your enemies

Show no mercy to those who did not work as hard as you did

Be gracious to those who helped you along your way

Pray your stubbornness will last as long as the beating of your heart

New choices and chances spring forth daily

Be as determined as the slave who broke the chains of his master

Their will only ever at the end of the day be just you

Be determined until the day you walk on water

Then you can rest