Life's Rollercoaster

Life's Rollercoaster

by Angela Lansbury

Life is a rollercoaster
Life has its ups and downs
Most of the people you meet have smiles
But a few are bound to have frowns

Life is what you make it
Most are not both deaf and blind
You can see and hear what you want
And choose what you want to find

Some days you are really well
Other days you find you're ill
You've a choice, use your voice
You can wait, or smile, or take a pill

You can try not to get depressed
You can do everything right
You can exercise and get your rest
And wait for day to follow the night

Smile at every child, woman and man
Be remembered as a sunny soul
Always do the best that you can
Forget bad parts and see the good whole

Every day somebody dies
But thousands more march on
Be silent for a moment
Then rejoin the world's wonderful song

You are a pearl in the necklace
You can be a joy in everyone's day
You can inspire them to carry on
To feel you're near when you're far away

Every mother has fears and hopes
For every child, girl or boy
Be the bad things' antidote
And add to the world's bank of joy

See how you can help others
Then you'll forget your pain
While you are busy helping them
You'll find that you're content again

You can be the teacher
The guardian angel on the shoulder
You can be the preacher
To make the timid feel bolder

You're only here for a short while
When you reach your December
Be the one who raises a smile
Who everyone loves to remember.

The roller coaster goes up and down
Please support your friends
Be the one to help them
And laugh with them 'til the triumph end.

-ends-

Photo credit
Article on rollercoaster in wikipedia. Photo author Mttbme.

Funny Flowers In The Snow

It's sunny, then it's snowing
I see new flowers in the snow
The weather has confused them
I wonder if the dumb things know

They're silly, but they're pretty -
Now the sun's come out again!
I suppose they had a nice drink
From this morning's dismal rain

The whole world is a cemetery
The dinosaurs are turned to stone
But we've got cute little plastic ones
To please keen kids in every home

The pharaohs left a lot behind
Dead bodies wrapped in gold
Paintings on floors and ceilings
Great, cursed wonders to behold

The Romans with their weapons
Left their helmets, walls, old stones
Left their language, their heritage
Their glory, gravestones, meatless bones

Scary Vikings under London's buildings
Plague victims under passing trains
Madame Tussaud's, pop stars and horror
Some things best not seen again

Yes, the whole world's a cemetery
Great-grandparents buried underground
Just as well, they wouldn't like it
With our neighbour's loud jazz sounds

After my life's rollercoaster
I don't want to leave you tears
Better some jokes and laughter
To help you struggle through your muddled years

Yes, the whole world is a cemetery
Know we're all built on crumbled past
As we've been taught, life is too short
Most things, thank God, do not last

Shut your eyes, in prisons, hospitals
So in your last dark hours
In your mind paint pretty pictures
Of the stupid, happy flowers

Be mindful, in the present
Watch where you leap, step, go
But when in doubt, remember
Daft, sweet flowers in the snow.

copyright Angela Lansbury Feb 15 2018