Sunday, December 25, 2016

Christmas Twinklings


A Psalm Of Life


Tell me not, in mournful numbers,

Life is but an empty dream!

For the soul is dead that slumbers,

And things are not what they seem.


Life is real! Life is earnest!

And the grave is not the goal;

Dust thou art, to dust returnest,

Was not spoken of the soul.


Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

Is our destined end or way

But to act, that each tomorrow

Find us farther than today.


Art is long, and Time is fleeting

And our hearts, though stout and brave,

Still, like muffled drums, are beating

Funeral marches to the grave.


In the world's broad field of battle,

In the bivouac of Life,

Be not like dumb driven cattle!

Be a hero in the strife!


Trust no future, howe'er pleasant!

Let the dead past bury its dead!

Act, -act in the living Present!

Heart within and God o'erhead!


Lives of great souls all remind us

We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints on the sands of time;


Footprints, that perhaps another,

Sailing o'er life's solemn main,

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

Seeing, shall take heart again.


Let us, then, be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labor and to wait.


-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow






Special Blessings to those who can enjoy their Power.

To those less fortunate, please stand by.


9 comments:

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

WOW! You got blasted by snow and the temps were in the 70's in Nashville and we had the windows open

Janet O. said...

It looked like that outside our windows today, too.
Inspiring poem, Vic, and rather poignant to me. My Dad was placed on hospice yesterday after a rapid decline Thursday and Friday. He has been my hero and it is hard to see him so disabled. We expect only a few more days with him, at the most.

cityquilter grace said...

wonderful poem....nice snow...we of course have none....

Nann said...

I first encountered "footprints on the sands of time" in the wonderful book "The Diamond in the Window" by Jane Langton. (I have just reminded myself that I ought to reread it. A 2017 resolution?) Thanks for sharing it.

The skies were overcast here. Rain overnight. Sunny, high 40's today. The front will come through tonight and the temperature will be "seasonable" tomorrow.

Hope you and Felix had a nice Christmas!

Feathers in my Nest said...

Love the poem. I used to read poetry, don't know why I stopped.
Wish we had some of that snow. You're getting lots more on Thursday!!
Hugs

Cathy said...

Life here is sublime even though at times it is depressing and difficult to step forward and leave footprints (unless there is snow). And thanks for the Special Blessing.

Unknown said...

Anyone heard from Victoria? Been many days and worried. mahark50@gmail.com

Cathy said...

I'm wondering the same thing as Marjorie...what's up Vic? I'm worried too. Hope all is well with you and yours and you are just enjoying a little time away.

Nancy said...

Great poem, Vic. I know I've heard/read it before but had forgotten about it. Thanks for sharing.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...