PARIS — Joan Deans, a fifth grade teacher at Paris Elementary School and sister of Fred Schwaner, said her brother wrote poetry about various topics, whatever was happening at the time.

“I found one called Lighten UP (rapping through life). This is one of my favorites,” she said of the following poem:

When your tight and feeling blue

I’m gonna tell you what to do

It isn’t hard you just back up

Take some time and lighten up

All those worries cares and stress

Cause you now to be depressed

Don’t let yourself be all shook up

Take some time and lighten up

Your work, your family, and your friends Sometimes puts you at wits end If you say, I’ll just give up Take some time and lighten up

You know that diner down the street

The one that serves that awesome meat

Go in there say, “Cook her up”

Then sit back and lighten up

You think, OK, foods not for me

I don’t eat cholesterol meat

Go read a book, go rake a lawn

Don’t sit there and feel forlorn

When your tight and feeling blue

This affects both me and you

Prepare your favorite coffee cup

Better yet just cuddle up

Now you see just what I mean

Life will never be serene

Before you’re worn and all washed up

Take that time and lighten up

This little rhyme can work for thee

If you like philosophy

If you don’t, stay all shook up

But take advice and lighten up.

—Fred Schwaner

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