A picture paints a thousand words...

Look here, my friend!
Here is a picture of life.
A field full of roses,
A good life, without strife.

Look here again, my friend!
Another picture to show you.
A harem full of whores,
All ready to blow you.

Oh, don't look at this one!
There's really no point,
For this picture I hold,
Will surely disappoint!

Are you sure, my friend?
Well, if you insist!
I'm not going to stop you,
Will not ask that you desist.

The picture's not pretty?
Well, alas, my friend - this is real life!
I know it can hurt when,
Reality cuts through with a knife.

But if you care to look closer,
Perhaps you might see,
It's not all gray skies in the background,
Looming over the rough, dizzying seas.

The silver lining I speak of,
Lies just slightly above,
In order to find it,
You will need lots of love.

Though the earlier pictures,
May stoke your desires.
Should you stare at them too long,
Your mind's eye will tire.

So instead take the last one,
And keep it in your pocket.
Store it in a special place,
Inside your heart's locket.

Look upon it from time to time,
And I'm sure you'll discover,
Amidst all the hardship within,
Lies a kind face of a lover.

When you finally find her,
Within that chaotic picture called life,
You should frame up the picture,
And take the girl as your wife.

Smile...

Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...

If you smile
With your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...

Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...

If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile...

That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

If I am my brother's keeper, then I have failed miserably...

O brother, where art thou?
you've been taken by that filthy sow.
Your heart's been blackened,
You mind's made weak.
Your soul has perished,
And your spirit, meek.