Life's Lessons
© by Petra van der Ploeg aka Pippinslova


Be proud to be who you are
Be proud how you’ve come so far
You are worth every minute of your day
Tell that to yourself today

Tell people what is on your mind
Don’t leave anything unsaid behind
Sometimes it’s better to be honest and true
And don’t accept people ignoring you

Speak to others like you want to be spoken to
And you’ll notice the respect they’ll show to you
Listen to people who say nothing
And notice their pain and suffering
Listen between the words and you’ll hear
They also struggle with pain and fear

Write a list of things you want to do
Make sure you make a plan to let it come true
Take time for yourself and do nothing
And see what the day will bring

There are no boundaries, no expectations
On love, friendship or loose relations
Talk wisely, believe in yourself and think strong
Learn yourself the lesson to always go on
Make plans for your future and smile
Everything always turns out good in a while

Know that you are unique and think that way
About everyone else who you’ll meet today


Petra 03dec05

Never thought it to be so inspiring;
The work of a teenager, the words, the feelings.
Written in honor of Anne Frank, a true hero in WWII.


Through heaven’s eyes
© by Petra van der Ploeg aka Pippinslova


It was just like any other day, that day
When they came and took us away
That day when we were betrayed
Friend or enemy, we still don’t know
Who has called and let us go

The 4th of August, 1944, it was a changing day
We left, but memories of us were meant to stay
Inhumane was it how we suffered
Being taken away from all that I held dear
Having only sanity and hope to stop the fear

Barely clothed we fought the cold
Hunger driving us insane as we do as we’re told
I still can feel my belly rumble
The soft words my sister Margot mumbled
As she slowly dove into eternity
Leaving me alone in misery

People steal from the sick and from the dead
Socks for the cold, their hunger fights for bread
I tried to tell myself to just hang on
Held the words of my father close; be strong

I died not too long after my sister did
I was ready to leave this world I must admit
Knowing none of my family had survived
I knew I would see them again through heaven’s eyes


Petra, 05may06

Defeated
© by Petra van der Ploeg aka Pippinslova


As I sit in the corner of the balcony
Watching birds fly by so swiftly
Memories of my old life pass by
Feelings of remorse and feelings of wondering why

My life has been so short, so little time
It took my energy, everything that’s mine
Friend became distant relative
Gone was the person you once shared your secrets with

I couldn’t accept it at first, to see
them closing their hearts before me
But I now understand they didn’t know
They couldn’t watch me die, they didn’t want me to go

I can understand, my reflection tells me
It’s hard for them to deal with what they see
As the last bit of my hair disappears
I’ve finished my crying, no more tears

All alone still sitting on the balcony
Waiting for an angel to set me free
I want my life back, my energy rising me above
I want to feel a boyfriend’s love

Cancer took control of me, two years ago
I have fought ever since, so hard, you know
But my spirit has been broken and I am so tired
It’s time to let go, time to unwire

Only seventeen, my life has just begun
But now I sit in defeat waiting for it to be done
This illness has taken my strength and will to fight
And I hereby give up my right

Please take me now, take me up into the sky
Let me be free, let me fly
Give my family and friends time to mourn but let them know
That I’m free and happy wherever I go


Petra van der Ploeg 07sep04