Si vis amari, ama  /Seneca/*

Don’t ask me direction to “Happiness;”

Don’t follow me, or you might lose your way.

Shield your eyes against “Gold’s” shining brightness,

All “heavy loads” you ought to cast away.

I walk my own path, have nothing to give;

Possessions mean nothing; you gain, you lose.

If you ever hated, learn to forgive,

And if you are tempted, learn to refuse.

Be aware; this world is not fit for “saints,”

But that’s no reason to be a “sinner;”

Against all excesses apply restraints,

When you are “Big,” don’t try to get bigger.

What pulls you down you ought to rise above,

If you want to be loved, learn how to love.

© P. J Oszmann (2006)

© Illustration created in Photoshop. (2006)

* Lucius Annaeus Seneca (known simply as Seneca) c. 4BC - AD 65 was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman and dramatist.