∞ Rob McBride ∞

When we go with the flow
We can constantly grow

So many obstacles in life
It need not be with strife

So many ups and downs
Too frequently with frowns

Yet with a heave and a ho
We can simply say, “Let’s go!”

Each day takes us to and fro
And so, it isn’t easy to grow

Voices often come from below
Telling us that they really know

“Life is difficult,” they can say
“So, just hold tight and pray…”

Yet life is much more than that
We can live like the Cat in the Hat

Pure pleasure can indeed be our prey
All we need to do is to choose the way

So much in life to live, so much to see
In our minds we can choose to be free

There are those who typically say, “Nay”
Those unwilling to jump into the fray

We can take a firm hold of each day
And do our best to get out and play

The child within each of us never dies
Though far too often this child hides

In those moments we want to cry
We can spread our wings and fly

In life we can live and let live
To achieve this we can all give

What we give to the world
We will receive two fold

What we do not get today
Will come on another day

When we give we will grow
For we will reap what we sow

Things are not black and white
So there is no need to take fright

When we look deep into the light
We come out of the dark of the night

Things are not always as they should be
Though this is not so very easy to see

We can accept things as they are
And we don’t have to go very far

The answer we now hold within
To come inside out of the din

We need only know this is so
We are here to go and grow

So relax, simply let go
And go with the flow

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 39

The face in the mirror
Is always so very near

The eyes shine bright
With all of their might

They plead, “Have no fear”
Shed not ever for me a tear

And in the light of the night
The face is never out of sight

What is that now you say?
Please, show me the way

Shall I go this way or that
Or, just sit here and get fat?

“Well, go this way my fine friend”
And remember please to always bend

While the end may seem so very near
Just get up and get your rear in gear

There is so much to live and love
And it can all fit just like a glove

No, it does not always seem so
Yet we can always get up and go

So many places to be and to see
In our heart we are ever so free

We glance away and then back
The eyes in the mirror attack

They never ever take leave
Not even when we grieve

Our forehead always high
Sometimes scrunches in sigh

Our nose which is placed just so
Is in just the right place just below

Also our mouth and ears just so
They go with us everywhere we go

And in this way we all go to and fro
So let us go forth daily to sow and grow

Plant the seeds of greatness within
This surely is the way best way to win

The face in the mirror knows good from bad
And this often is what really makes us sad

Though really what is right and wrong?
Does it come truly from the throng?

Is there really white and black?
Or shades which stare back?

With a nice smile and grin
The face comes out of the din

Our face can and will be our ally
And what’s more it can help us fly

We need only to know it will always be so
We can create glee which surely will show

All it takes is a simple laugh and a smile
To bounce back and go another mile

And so each day we can make it so
And continue to grow and to grow

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 38

Seven years ago
I decided to get into flow
With a mission to build and grow
With each full moon, a chance to sow

And so then the days came to and fro
Sometimes high and others so low
So I now say, “Get ready to go”
Rock and roll for the soul

Now bit of review
To go through and view
Each and every full moon
Each has come none too soon

We started with Experience to energize
Preparation, such a find, for peace of mind
Perseverance to bounce back time and again
Attitud² to forge forth fabulously and take action

We Empowered Creative thought with Powerful goals
Made a Tremendous Difference with The River of Change
Got more Bang for our Bounce with a Well of Abundance
Heard others Knocking to Create Powerful Energy

Created Character with Adversity while Riding the Wave of Change
Obtained the Energy of Life sometimes Bouncing and others getting Bounced
Took Eight to Create Motivate and Stay in Shape with the Resilience of a Sponge
Diligently developed a Creative Bounce with “Retensive Learning”

Fired the FUD’s with a Feast Fit for a King
Tastefully Tuned In to others with a Work of Art
Faithfully Fanned the Fire to constantly Challenging a Problem
Bounced back from the Bottom of a Bounce by Conceiving, Believing and Achieving

Looked out and took a Leap of Faith while Doing the Right Thing
Succulently Seized the day and discovered big blaring Blind Spots
Empowered thought resulting in marvelous Magical Moments
Saw Tantalizing Temptations fade away in No Time Like Now

Reached Beyond our Grasp to hop up On Top of the World
Stepped boldly up A Stairway to Heaven to find Food for Thought
Experienced Intention and Action deriving Direction in the Game of Life
Then bounced back boldly Across the Americas while Daring to Be Great

Overcame Challenge constantly and in the process Learned so very much
Reached Out and Touched others internalizing Imperfect Perfection
Got Pretty and Practical in order to feel Comfort in Discomfort
Flowed through Challenge with the Tenacity of a Tree

Used the Curiosity of a Kid to constantly Challenge Routine
Focused on “How” rather than “What” while Doing the Pacheco
Bettered the Boomerang Effect to combat Another Day for Another Dollar
Emblazoned a Burning Desire on our soul while collecting so many Crazy 8’s

Got On our Marks, to Get Set and Go to Prune Excess
Gave just a Little Extra to Focus on What’s In It for others
Meandered through Moments which are Easier Said than Done
Decided all it takes is a measly 2.22% to create Time for Everything

Did it Wrong every once in a while to realize it is often A Matter of Focus
Intensely and intelligently Imagined a Life with big bright Guiding Lights
Hummed to, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” to belittle A Busted Bounce
Charged forward with It’s Showtime while Remembering When

Fired up the Engine of Life in The Eye of the Hurricane
Sang “I Will Survive,” with a very Vivid Imagination
Were Happy, Healthy, Wealthy and Wise
With the Sweet Sensation of Success

And finally Got Uncomfortable
Before going a bit farther into flow
To began a new exciting way to grow
As this now cleverly marks, 88 in a Row

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 38