"Dost thou not see the joy in life?"

Dost thou not see the joy of life?
If not for love this life should be,
Still canst thou live it gracefully:
With no such woes, and no such strife.
When seeking life, heed this advice:
Reach all thy goals, but be thou free.
Forgive thyself incessantly --
Let life not be thy sacrifice.

Not one can help that life would pass,
So watch not as thy time doth go.
With peace but find thy grief replaced.
Allow thyself a time to laugh,
Permit thyself a chance to grow,
And gain thyself a cultured taste.

For thou couldst not attempt it twice:
To try again this life to lead.
Let not a cautious life it be,
But live it full -- SUCH JOY, this life!
Let not regret become thy plight,
Yet find thyself with cares turned free,
That thou couldst live life hopefully,
Not grieve it through, thine heart contrite.

Give to those who can’t give back,
Teach to those who cannot know,
Applaud the first and love the last,
And voyage where thine heart would go.
Let not this troubled life but pass.
Reach for thy dreams!
                            And watch them grow…