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:
WOW! You got blasted by snow and the temps were in the 70's in Nashville and we had the windows open
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.
wonderful poem....nice snow...we of course have none....
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!
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
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.
Anyone heard from Victoria? Been many days and worried. mahark50@gmail.com
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.
Great poem, Vic. I know I've heard/read it before but had forgotten about it. Thanks for sharing.
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