Poetry Sunday: Desiderata by Max Ehrman
I have featured Desiderata by Max Ehrman in this space before but that was more than ten years ago. It seems to me that this may be a good time to put it out there once again. Maybe this is just the counsel that we need here at the end of this fractious year:
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
by Max Ehrman
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
I wish I could be so sanguine. The world is definitely not unfolding as it should. May you have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year. Felices fiestas.
ReplyDeleteWell, it certainly isn't clear to me and yet I have to consider the possibility that I might be (horrors!) wrong.
DeleteWe should all strive to live by the advice in this poem, difficult though that may be.
ReplyDeleteDifficult, indeed.
DeleteIt's difficult to strive to live the life of that poem, given that so many who don't are the ones who seem to thrive. Wishing you again the best - Happy Holidays, Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteAnd you succinctly state the crux of the matter.
DeleteIt is a wonderful poem, and one worth reading again and again. :D
ReplyDeleteI keep it close by so I can read again when the world is just too depressing.
DeleteI am struggling with what's in the news so I will try to strive like this poem says to ... I can when I tune out a bit.
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit hard to believe that the universe is unfolding as it should, isn't it?
DeleteBeautiful. I remember this as a poem that went along with a song. I shall look and see if I can find it.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHere it is: https://youtu.be/5WDL-xgltho.
ReplyDeleteYes, that is how I and many people, I suspect, first became aware of it.
Delete