and here this pen in poet's hand
what thought, what yearning
wherein is heart's command
this earth with bounty blessed
this morning of rising light
the loving touch of grace behold
heed the whimper of the child
heed the call for knowing wise
calling calling be heart's command
and here this pen in poet's hand
a smile, a gesture, the warming sun
a creed, a mission, a task now done
'tis not what I alone to answer nor unfold
the pleas of need be too your story told
all awakens for the vision yet held
purpose and right intention in glory meld
with word and reach and Faith in command
and here this pen in poet's hand.
Rose Marie Raccioppi
Poet Laureate
Orangetown, New York
photo credit: www.mvburke.com
and so it is...
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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 wornout 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!
Rudyard Kipling, 1865-1936.
I have loved this poem by Kipling for many, many years! When I was a child there was a poem, by a poet I no longer remember the name of, hanging on my bedroom wall. It was called "IF for Girls" and was based on this poem by Kipling. I've looked for it on the internet but as of yet have not found it...I wondered if you had ever heard of it. It's such a blessing that you do take "pen in hand."
ReplyDeleteI'm back again Rose Marie...I checked the internet again for "IF for Girls"...and found it! I'm going to print and frame it for my g'daughter and "IF" for my g'son. I'm so appreciative that you used this particular poem as inspiration...I've been looking for the "girl" version for a long time! http://www.robinsweb.com/inspiration/if_girls.html
ReplyDeleteDear Theanne, As a grandmother of a granddaughter and a grandson I sooooooooo appreciate your shared J♡Y... pleased I am for your 'find."
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