Sometimes all you need is a simple poem. Found poetry is written by being observant and writing about what you see. It is very simple and sometimes I think that is something we need. Especially now when it seems like no one can get along. So here is a simple poem that I hope will make you think about the simpler things in life.

It's not all sunshine and roses.

It's pain, heartbreak, and loss.

Ash can fill your lungs and settle in your mouth.

You're on the ground with roots

But you must rise and cut those roots.

Or risk becoming annihilated.

I wrote this poem because finals week was coming and in my personal life, I have had some unfortunate things happen. The first line comes from my favorite show I was watching, Chicago Fire. It is something I keep in mind and is especially applicable now. It is kind of a cliche "not sunshine and rainbows". I like the word "roses" because it conjures up an image of love and beauty. The second line is something that is said in response to the first. I have experienced some of those emotions in the past month. It explains the reality of life. The third line comes from the fact I was reading about the recent fires in the South and is applicable of how I feel when the stress of finals and life comes too much. You can feel like your life is burning around you because of life or a failing a class and it feels like ash in your mouth and lungs. It's not a good taste or feeling to have. The next line I got from a song I had been listening to, "Roots" by Imagine Dragon. I feel like some of us get stuck in our ways and it is not necessarily a good thing. The last line comes from a trailer for a movie I watched "Miss Sloane". There is a line I really liked "Do you know the word 'annihilate'? It means reduced to nothing." I really enjoyed that line and the imagery that it brought forth. Overall the message of the poem is even when it seems like your life is falling apart, it is on you to get moving and change it.