Desiderata

[Lady Chaos]

This is a poem that my boyfriend gave to me years ago. I don't know where he found it, but I think its great, especially on bad days. It really cheers me up. I hope all of you enjoy it too.
DESIDERATA
GO placidly amidst the noise and the 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 ignorant; they too have their story.
AVOID loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself to others, you will become vain and bitter, for there will always 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 years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
NURTURE strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune, but do not distress yourself with imaginings; many fears are borne 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, 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 within your soul.
WITH all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
BE careful.
STRIVE to be happy.
Found in Old St. Paul's Church, BaltimoreDated 1692Author: Unknown

 

[Gronk]

In similar vein,
FOR EACH OF YOU
Be who you are and will be
learn to cherish
that boisterous Black Angel that drives you
up one day and down another
protecting the place where your power rises
running like hot blood
from the same source
as your pain.
When you are hungry
learn to eat
whatever sustains you
until morning
but do not be misled by details
simply because you live them.
Do not let your head deny
your hands
any memory of what passes through them
nor your eyes nor your heart
everything can be used
except what is wasteful
(you will need to remember this
when you are accused of destruction).
Even when they are dangerous
examine the heart of those machines
which you hate
before you discard them
but do not mourn their lack of power
lest you be condemned
to relive them.
If you do not learn to hate
you will never be lonely
enough to love easily
nor will you always be brave
although it does not grow any easier.
Do not pretend to convenient beliefs
even when they are righteous
you will never be able to defend your city
while shouting
Remember our sun
is not the most noteworthy star
only the nearest.
Respect whatever pain you bring back
from your dreaming
but do not look for new gods
in the sea
nor in any part of the rainbow.
Each time you love
love as deeply
as if it were
forever
only nothing is
eternal.
Speak proudly to your children
where ever you may find them
tell them
you are the offspring of slaves
and your mother was
a princess
in darkness.
Audre Lorde(1970)
[ 16 October 2002: Message edited by: Gronk ]

 

[Gronk]

As above,
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 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!
Ruyard Kipling