Poetry corner 2010

The New Year is traditionally a time for resolutions. I don't make resolutions anymore, because I've found I don't keep them. But for those with more self-discipline (or more optimism) than I, here's a poem that gives us all something to shoot for.

It's probably my favorite poem. Yes, it's doggerel, like most of Kipling's poetry. But like the best of Kipling, it's doggerel of a high quality. And I love its high ideals. If today such sentiments are seen as old-fashioned, it's only because we live in a decadent age.

As is always the case with Kipling's verses, it is best read aloud.

Fun fact: Kipling's sister, Alice Fleming, was an amateur medium of some repute. To save her family from embarrassment, she was always known as "Mrs. Holland" in written reports. She played a large role in the famous "cross correspondences." Details here.  

And now, our poem ...

-----------------------

If

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

---------------------

(Source:  everypoet.com )

Comments

[william]

http://www.survivalafterdeath.org.uk/articles/other/samson.htm

The Discovered Country
- John Samson -
I found this transcript on this website interesting as one seeker reading about another seeker’s journey into finding these truths about life as John Samson talks about his journey into these mysteries of life. Also it has a couple of interesting poems in it. Now poems are not my thing but many find them very illuminating.

[pmprescott]

This is one of the most touching poems whenever I read it. There is much to ponder in it. Thanks for posting it.

[Ben]

I agree with you Michael --Kipling was a master of his craft. Above all, he wanted his poems to be accessible -and this is a fine example. It also fitted in well with his era -very British Empire and stiff upper lip.

As for your recent hints that you’re a pessimist –no, you can’t get away with that! You're just going through a bad patch. Actually, as you well know, you're a frustrated idealist. You’re letting external circumstances undermine your idealism. Time to turn inward and get in touch with your creative self. Stop watching the news –not easy for a blogger (!) but remember that “No news is good news” equals “All news is bad news”.

You believe in the human soul and the upward march of the human spirit. Life has meaning. We’re all on a journey. You believe that –you’re just finding it a bit hard at the moment. I sympathise. As Sonic says: It’s darkest before the dawn.

[william]

“You believe in the human soul and the upward march of the human spirit. Life has meaning. We’re all on a journey.”

Very well stated: if you had to define life has meaning how would you describe that meaning of life.

[Ben]

"if you had to define life has meaning how would you describe that meaning of life."

I wouldn't try to define it, William. But it is a journey, and it is onward and upward...eventually!

[Sam]

Until we start bringing back the colosseums and gladiator fights I like to think the Western world is doing pretty good.

[Ginny]

That's my favorite poem too. Thanks for posting it!

[Zerdini]

“Poetry is thoughts that breathe, and words that burn.” – Thomas Gray

[Zerdini]

My in-laws still live, and have lived for over fifty years, in the village where Kipling lived for five years(1897-1902).

Kipling and his family moved to Rottingdean in 1897. They rented The Elms for three guineas a week.

Kipling's study was on the ground floor to the right of the entrance. He was appalled when the horse-drawn bus from Brighton began stopping by the high flint wall of the garden to allow the trippers to stare into the famous writer's garden.

Once a woman wandered into their garden and stared into Kipling's study where he was writing. When he drew the blind, she exclaimed "How rude!"

Kipling's old house adjacent to Kipling Gardens is still standing.

[Paul]

He made great cakes too.

[Michael Tymn]

Suzanne Giesmanm, a retired Navy officer and author of several books, discovered a year or so ago that she is a medium for poets. She has an interesting site at http://www.suzannegiesemannsblog.blogspot.com/

where she has been posting a new poem every day.

[william]

Thanks for this website Michael Tymm. This poem is special to me as I do volunteer work with 4 year olds.

Blessed are the children.
So innocent are they.
They know nothing of worries.
They simply want to play.
Watch them as they run and shout.
See the glee upon their faces.
Dashing ‘round like dervishes,
Playing hopscotch, running races.

Oh, such innocence,
If only it would last.
But childhood is very short.
They grow up far too fast.
But with this growth comes learning.
And not just in the schools.
As years pass toward adulthood,
They pick up many tools.

The greatest of youth’s challenges
Is learning not to fear.
For in this comes mistrust and hate,
And loss of what’s most dear.
The greatest challenge all must face
Is how to live in love.
For it’s the greatest lesson,
One that comes from up above.

The urge to love is planted there
From long before your birth.
And how to share it is the path
You walk upon this earth.
So watch the children, see their smiles.
These come for they fear not.
Inside they still have purity
They have not yet forgot.

Remember what your life’s about.
Take the child’s example to your heart.
For in the great play of your life,
This is your grandest part.

Posted by Suzanne Giesemann

[1263226193]

PREMIER ONLINE STORE FOR POPULAR SOFTWARE

We do guarantee that all programs are 100% fully working OEM versions - no demos or trial versions

http://www.x.se/hsgm

[EZ18Gemma]

It sould be very viable to order thesis help referring to this good post from the thesis service especially if students don’t have time.