Faith in God
HAVE faith in God. For whosoever lists
To calm conviction in these days of strife,
Will learn that in this steadfast stand exists
The scholarship severe of human life.
This face to face with doubt! I know how strong
His thews must be who fights and falls and bears,
By sleepless nights and vigils lone and long,
And many a woeful wraith of wrestling prayers.
Yet trust in Him! Not in an old man throned
With thunders on an everlasting cloud,
But in that awful Entity enzoned
By no wild wraths nor bitter homage loud.
When from the summit of some sudden steep
Of speculation you have strength to turn
To things too boundless for the broken sweep
Of finer comprehension, wait and learn
That God hath been “His own interpreter”
From first to last. So you will understand
The tribe who best succeed, when men most err,
To suck through fogs the fatness of the land.
One thing is surer than the autumn tints
We saw last week in yonder river bend—
That all our poor expression helps and hints,
However vaguely, to the solemn end
That God is truth; and if our dim ideal
Fall short of fact—so short that we must weep—
Why shape specific sorrows, though the real
Be not the song which erewhile made us sleep?
Remember, truth draws upward. This to us
Of steady happiness should be a cause
Beyond the differential calculus
Or Kant’s dull dogmas and mechanic laws.
A man is manliest when he wisely knows
How vain it is to halt and pule and pine;
Whilst under every mystery haply flows
The finest issue of a love divine.
poem by Henry Kendall

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Eighteen Hundred and Sixty-Four
I HEAR no footfall beating through the dark,
A lonely gust is loitering at the pane;
There is no sound within these forests stark
Beyond a splash or two of sullen rain;
But you are with us! and our patient land
Is filled with long-expected change at last,
Though we have scarce the heart to lift a hand
Of welcome, after all the yearning past!
Ah! marvel not; the days and nights were long
And cold and dull and dashed with many tears;
And lately there hath been a doleful song,
Of “Mene, Mene,” in our restless ears!
Indeed, we’ve said, “The royal son of Time,
Whose feet will shortly cross our threshold floor,
May lead us to those outer heights sublime
Our Sires have sold their lives to see before!
We’ll follow him! Beyond the waves and wrecks
Of years fulfilled, some fine results must lie;
We’ll pass the last of all wild things that vex
The pale, sad face of our Humanity!”
But now our fainting feet are loth to stray
From trodden paths; our eyes with pain are blind!
We’ve lost fair treasures by the weary way;
We cry, like children, to be left behind.
Our human speech is dim. Yet, latest born
Of God’s Eternity, there came to me,
In saddened streets last week, from lips forlorn
A sound more solemn than the sleepless sea!
O, Rachael! Rachael! We have heard the cries
In Rama, stranger, o’er our darling dead;
And seen our mothers with the heavy eyes,
Who would not hearken to be comforted!
Then lead us gently! It must come to pass
That some of us shall halt and faint and fall;
For we are looking through a darkened glass,
And Heaven seems far, and faith grows cold and pale.
I know, for one, I need a subtle strength
I have not yet to hold me from a fall;
What time I cry to God within the length
Of weary hours; my face against the wall!
My mourning brothers! in the long, still nights,
When sleep is wilful, and the lone moon shines,
Bethink you of the silent, silver lights,
And darks with Death amongst the moody pines!
Then, though you cannot shut a stricken face
Away from you, this hope will come about
That Christ hath sent again throughout the place
Some signs of Love to worst and weaken doubt.
So you may find in every afterthought
A peace beyond your best expression dear;
And haply hearken to the Voice which wrought
Such strength in Peter on the seas of fear!
poem by Henry Kendall

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Life is too short
Life is too short for any vain regretting;
Let dead delight bury its dead, I say,
And let us go upon our way forgetting
The joys and sorrows of each yesterday
Between the swift sun's rising and its setting
We have no time for useless tears or fretting:
Life is too short.
Life is too short for any bitter feeling;
Time is the best avenger if we wait;
The years speed by, and on their wings bear healing;
We have no room for anything like hate.
This solemn truth the low mounds seem revealing
That thick and fast about our feet are stealing:
Life is too short.
Life is too short for aught but high endeavor—
Too short for spite, but long enough for love.
And love lives on forever and forever;
It links the worlds that circle on above:
'Tis God's first law, the universe's lever.
In His vast realm the radiant souls sigh never
'Life is too short.'
poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

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Learn
when broken
learn
when happy
learn
when bored
learn
when you float and does not know what to do
learn just the same
when filled with idealism
learn
when fed with what you cannot swallow
learn again
when the times get rough and you want to kill yourself
learn, learn, learn
you still have many things to learn
faces of life
bodies of life
learn, learn, learn everything
do not surrender
for in truth, you do not do what you only want
you will also do what you are told to do
no questions asked
or you will be left out
or you will be not a part of the picture
this life
learn, learn, learn, always learn
do not surrender
live, learn, live, learn
you will soon do all that others will tell you
learn, learn and learn again
and sooner you will have learned everything
and then do what you want to do
with firm conviction
you know now what is right
and that is what you will do,
now without even being told
you have become yourself
but still learn, learn, and learn again
because
you might be wrong,
try thinking some more, learn
relearn, learn, learn, learn, forevermore....
poem by Ric S. Bastasa

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Learn
Learn, learn, learn,—
Our beautiful world is not a field for sheep;
Not just a place wherein to laugh and weep,
To eat and drink, to dance and sigh and sleep,
And then to moulder into senseless dust.
Learn, learn, learn,—
Look up and learn—you cannot look too high!
Not for the earthly wealth which brains can buy,
Not for the sake of gold and luxury—
Treasures corrupted by the moth and rust.
Learn, learn, learn,—
As one in whom the Lord has breathed His breath,
And aye redeemèd from the power of death—
Not as the dumb brute-beast that perisheth,
Not as a soulless, thoughtless, thankless clod.
Learn, learn, learn,—
With love and awe and patience—not in haste;
Drink deeply,—do not pass by with a taste;
O make your land a garden, not a waste!—
Your mind bright, to reflect the face of God.
Learn, learn, learn,—
The mystic beauty and the truth of life;
Search out the treasures whereof earth is rife,
Search on all sides, with pain and prayer and strife;
Search even into darkness. Do not fear.
Learn, learn, learn,—
With a true, steadfast heart, lay up your hoard;
God will sort out the treasures you have stored,
And set them in His bright light, afterward.
He will make all your difficulties clear.
Learn, learn, learn,—
Death is no breaking at a certain place;
We only pause there for a little space.
And then—you would not shame Him to His face?—
You, in His Image and own Likeness made!
Learn, learn, learn,—
Walk with wide-open eyes and reverent heart.
Worship as God the beautiful in art.
Though you see now but dimly, and in part,
All shall be clear in time. Be not afraid.
poem by Ada Cambridge

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To Face The Truth
(tennant/lowe)
--------------------
You know it hurts me when you lie
Sometimes it even makes me cry
cause Im so in love with you
If you dont believe what I have said
Take a look, my eyes are red
cause Im so in love with you
But all those sleepless nights in bed
When youve been out somewhere instead
I wonder if you care and cannot bear the proof
It hurts too much to face the truth
To face the truth
A lawyer with a case to prove
Would sift the evidence, then move
Its the only thing to do
So why then cant I face the facts?
Sift this evidence that backs
I am so in love with you
But all the nights when you have said
You must be somewhere else instead
I wonder where you go, but darent expose the proof
It hurts too much to face the truth
To face the truth
To face the truth
You are the only one, the only one
You know it hurts me when you lie
Sometimes it even makes me cry
cause Im so in love with you
If you dont believe what I have said
Take a look, my eyes are red
cause Im so in love with you
But all the nights you dont show up
I know its time I should grow up
I ask you if you care, you stand and stare aloof
It hurts too much to face the truth
To face the truth
To face the truth
song performed by by Pet Shop Boys

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The perception of truth
Fact exists, truth needs to be believed
My truth is important to me
I also understand that
Your truth is important, to you
My life is not just a single truth
But a village of many kinds of truth
The version you believe, may be different from mine
And both versions are true, to each of us
The duality of truth
Fights for resolution
And yet, coexists
Quietly, when it needs to
Funny concept this truth
Does fact indeed exist?
And do we really need,
To believe the truth?
Are both just empty shadows
We chase, to play our role
In a divine comedy
For an audience of one
poem by Anita Atina

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A truth beyond denial
Days and nights pass,
ages fade and bloom,
no one's too old,
to count his days to doom.
Blessed is the one who breathes,
and with a smile who leaves,
love them strong my brothers, love'em strong,
for in your excuse to believe.
A journey of few steps called life,
each step does mysteries hold,
your will, to stay or move on,
but destined always to face the truth bold.
A truth beyond denial,
A truth impervious to refute,
A truth an absolute halt,
A truth tied in with you.
poem by Chaitanya Dorwat

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Youth And Manhood
Another year! a short one, if it flow
Like that just past,
And I shall stand -- if years can make me so --
A man at last.
Yet, while the hours permit me, I would pause
And contemplate
The lot whereto unalterable laws
Have bound my fate.
Yet, from the starry regions of my youth,
The empyreal height
Where dreams are happiness, and feeling truth,
And life delight --
From that ethereal and serene abode
My soul would gaze
Downward upon the wide and winding road,
Where manhood plays;
Plays with the baubles and the gauds of earth --
Wealth, power, and fame --
Nor knows that in the twelvemonth after birth
He did the same.
Where the descent begins, through long defiles
I see them wind;
And some are looking down with hopeful smiles,
And some are -- blind.
And farther on a gay and glorious green
Dazzles the sight,
While noble forms are moving o'er the scene,
Like things of light.
Towers, temples, domes of perfect symmetry
Rise broad and high,
With pinnacles among the clouds; ah, me!
None touch the sky.
None pierce the pure and lofty atmosphere
Which I breathe now,
And the strong spirits that inhabit there,
Live -- God sees how.
Sick of the very treasure which they heap;
Their tearless eyes
Sealed ever in a heaven-forgetting sleep,
Whose dreams are lies;
And so, a motley, unattractive throng,
They toil and plod,
Dead to the holy ecstasies of song,
To love, and God.
Dear God! if that I may not keep through life
My trust, my truth,
And that I must, in yonder endless strife,
Lose faith with youth;
If the same toil which indurates the hand
Must steel the heart,
Till, in the wonders of the ideal land,
It have no part;
Oh! take me hence! I would no longer stay
Beneath the sky;
Give me to chant one pure and deathless lay,
And let me die!
poem by Henry Timrod

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We Stand Together
(n. rodgers/g. smith)
Stand up, stand tall, and be counted
Divided we fall, together we stand, together
Our love has all never doubt it
Alone we fall, together we stand, together
When were playin the game of life
What we pay is a heavy price
If you choose the wrong path
You will lose, thats so right
Be prepared, you might have to make some sacrifice
I can feel we can make it
I believe, when theres no longer seperation, well succeed
Heres a chance, better take it
Time wont wait for us, everyone come on
Stand up, stand tall, and be counted
Divided we fall, together we stand, together
Our love has all never doubt it
Alone we fall, together we stand, together
Im afraid we will never learn
Thats why Im sayin Im so concerned
Turn around and look, this court is adjourned
Before we get beyond the point of no return
Leave us not be forsaken
Let me speak my peace
The pen is mightier than the sword, or so it seems
Heres a chance, better take it
Time wont wait for us, everyone come on
Stand up, stand tall, and be counted
Divided we fall, together we stand, together
Our love has all never doubt it
Alone we fall, together we stand, together
On the stage of a theatre
A production of all the feelings
That were feeling all surrounding us
In the words of a playwright
One is not enough
To experience the act called love
Called trust-called love-called trust
song performed by by Diana Ross

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Seniors
Seniors should have a calm, peaceful life,
If they learn in their youth how to get out of the strife.
They should learn how to keep the mind open for wisdom,
That at old age they would be in God's kingdom.
Everybody have an interesting life to go through,
Use that time constantly learn how to be in others shoe.
When we understand the others ways,
We'll find understanding to our own days.
Then we'll understand where problems and illness comes
We are the creator and only we can go through the humps.
There is no place for sickness when we need pity,
We have to watch our own lifestyle to be always witty.
Always choose strength, health, peace and true happiness,
Do your best to learn and understand the road to greatness.
Nobody can help you, but you yourself,
When you know this, you'll find freedom forever from a false self.
poem by LaSoaphia QuXazs

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Life Lesson
Listen to all
Listen to none
But remember this thing
You are the one who realize
Learn everything
Learn nothing
But remember this thing
You are the one who understand
Go everywhere
Go nowhere
But remember this thing
You are the one who search
Believe the hard one
Believe the easy one
But remember this thing
You are the one who follow
Think the worst
Think the finest
But remember this thing
You are the one who decide
Read what’s written
Read what’s hidden
But remember this thing
You are the one who feel
See the dark
See the light
But remember this thing
You are the one who watch
Dream the ordinary
Dream the impossible
But remember this thing
You are the one who hope
Try the best
Try the rest
But remember this thing
You are the one who fight
Say it straight
Say it carefully
But remember this thing
You are the one who mean it
Love you care
Love you don’t
But remember this thing
You are the one who give
Live the truth
Live the lie
But remember this thing
You are the one who grow
Do what you desire
Do what’s been ordered
But remember this thing
You are the one who responsible
Touch it rough
Touch it smooth
But remember this thing
You are the one who keep
poem by Maria Sudibyo

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Life
Life is a beautiful place,
It is how you make it to be.
Life is about believing in
yourself,
This is your life and what
you choose to do with your
life is up to you.
You respect others and they
will respect you too.
Life is never all that easy,
We learn to simply grow
strong and grow wise each
day.
We learn through our mistakes,
That is how we simply turn them
around and start over again.
Life is precious as you are,
Keep the faith and never
let go.
Life has many mysteries for us
to solve,
That is why we learn to put the
pieces of the puzzle together.
When goals are completed we know
we have earned a big star,
We all walk proud knowing we have
done well.
Life has a powerful meaning,
We all must always feel proud to
walk this earth.
Life has has given to many of us,
A chance to live, laugh
and to learn.
Remember, life is too short
to feel grumpy,
We learn to turn that grumpy
little frown into happiness.
poem by Derek James

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Old Thoughts (Imagine: I'm aging)
- The winter wind blows through the cracks
Around an old window pane,
It mournfully howls a brooding tune
Flashing images of age into my brain.
Time walks on
Always at a steady pace,
Continuously spitting dirt
In humanities face.
The elderly forced to wear age
Worn and weary,
Towards the end
No longer in such a hurry.
For all who long enough live
Age shall wear old upon old,
Yet amazingly for so many
The soul refuses to grow cold.
- (more thoughts come in, with the wind)
I'm alone
And barely breathing
Ecclesiastes is the book
I prefer these days to be reading.
Quietly pondering and listening
I know time is winding down,
For increasingly, in the wind I hear drawing near
A far off inescapable sound.
Far too soon spring buds turn
Into fall's dried and dead leaves.
So short are the sweet summer birdsongs
Hence, south they have flown
Leaving behind empty, old and brittle trees.
So many May days
Have come and gone,
It all starts to sound
Like the same old melancholy song.
The falls not much changed
From the spring,
'Cept the lack of desire
To jump and sing.
Winter's chill draws closer than ever
And summer is far gone,
Cheap thrills no longer seem so clever
As days grow short, and nights long.
Yes 'old' is the way to say
We are running beyond
Our youthful days,
But, old shall take us step-by-step
To the end, of ourselves, and
To the end of all that is here wrong,
Slowly returning us from exile, back
To where we started, and
Have always belonged.
- Through this broken pane tonite
The wild wind yet blows,
Mysteriously whispering epic secrets
About age, life, and meaning.......
The outcome of which, we must trust
God alone fully knows.
poem by Smoky Hoss

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On the Paroo
AS WHEN the strong stream of a wintering sea
Rolls round our coast, with bodeful breaks of storm,
And swift salt rain, and bitter wind that saith
Wild things and woeful of the White South Land
Alone with God and silence in the cold—
As when this cometh, men from dripping doors
Look forth, and shudder for the mariners
Abroad, so we for absent brothers looked
In days of drought, and when the flying floods
Swept boundless; roaring down the bald, black plains
Beyond the farthest spur of western hills.
For where the Barwon cuts a rotten land,
Or lies unshaken, like a great blind creek,
Between hot mouldering banks, it came to this,
All in a time of short and thirsty sighs,
That thirty rainless months had left the pools
And grass as dry as ashes: then it was
Our kinsmen started for the lone Paroo,
From point to point, with patient strivings, sheer
Across the horrors of the windless downs,
Blue gleaming like a sea of molten steel.
But never drought had broke them: never flood
Had quenched them: they with mighty youth and health,
And thews and sinews knotted like the trees—
They, like the children of the native woods,
Could stem the strenuous waters, or outlive
The crimson days and dull, dead nights of thirst
Like camels: yet of what avail was strength
Alone to them—though it was like the rocks
On stormy mountains—in the bloody time
When fierce sleep caught them in the camps at rest,
And violent darkness gripped the life in them
And whelmed them, as an eagle unawares
Is whelmed and slaughtered in a sudden snare.
All murdered by the blacks; smit while they lay
In silver dreams, and with the far, faint fall
Of many waters breaking on their sleep!
Yea, in the tracts unknown of any man
Save savages—the dim-discovered ways
Of footless silence or unhappy winds—
The wild men came upon them, like a fire
Of desert thunder; and the fine, firm lips
That touched a mother’s lips a year before,
And hands that knew a dearer hand than life,
Were hewn—a sacrifice before the stars,
And left with hooting owls and blowing clouds,
And falling leaves and solitary wings!
Aye, you may see their graves—you who have toiled
And tripped and thirsted, like these men of ours;
For, verily, I say that not so deep
Their bones are that the scattered drift and dust
Of gusty days will never leave them bare.
O dear, dead, bleaching bones! I know of those
Who have the wild, strong will to go and sit
Outside all things with you, and keep the ways
Aloof from bats, and snakes, and trampling feet
That smite your peace and theirs—who have the heart,
Without the lusty limbs, to face the fire
And moonless midnights, and to be, indeed,
For very sorrow, like a moaning wind
In wintry forests with perpetual rain.
Because of this—because of sisters left
With desperate purpose and dishevelled hair,
And broken breath, and sweetness quenched in tears—
Because of swifter silver for the head,
And furrows for the face—because of these
That should have come with age, that come with pain—
O Master! Father! sitting where our eyes
Are tired of looking, say for once are we—
Are we to set our lips with weary smiles
Before the bitterness of Life and Death,
And call it honey, while we bear away
A taste like wormwood?
Turn thyself, and sing—
Sing, Son of Sorrow! Is there any gain
For breaking of the loins, for melting eyes,
And knees as weak as water?—any peace,
Or hope for casual breath and labouring lips,
For clapping of the palms, and sharper sighs
Than frost; or any light to come for those
Who stand and mumble in the alien streets
With heads as grey as Winter?—any balm
For pleading women, and the love that knows
Of nothing left to love?
They sleep a sleep
Unknown of dreams, these darling friends of ours.
And we who taste the core of many tales
Of tribulation—we whose lives are salt
With tears indeed—we therefore hide our eyes
And weep in secret, lest our grief should risk
The rest that hath no hurt from daily racks
Of fiery clouds and immemorial rains.
poem by Henry Kendall

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A Journey Of Faith
For some its short, for others long
Depending on The Way
Yet each may sing the self same song
Of ‘Trust Him and obey’
Displayed beyond the realm of time
Beyond man’s wildest dream
Trust when pure is love sublime
And act of faith supreme
Obey The Lord of righteousness
Trust Jesus whilst we might
Your waywardness through Him confess
And walk within The Light
Let not this life be lived in vain
Let’s play no more the clown
Let love instead be seen to reign
And wisdom wear a crown
Consult The Lord in all you do
Reflect before you speak
Consider Christ God’s Lamb and Son
All seven days a week
For far beyond the great divide
Where time becomes no more
God promises to be your Guide
And help through Heaven’s Door
Our Father knows the future now
He knows our wayward past
He knows if here our knees would bow
We’d harvest peace at last
The place for you and I is here
The time is right today
God’s calling loud through Jesus clear
To trust Him and obey
poem by Michael P. Johnson

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This Ain't A Lovesong
I should have seen it coming when the roses died
Should have seen the end of summer in your eyes
I should have listened when you said good night
You really meant good bye
Baby ain't it funny how you never ever learn to fall
You're really on your knees when you think you're standing tall
But only fools are know-it-alls and I've played that fool for you
I cried and cried every night
There were nights that I died for you baby
I tried and I tried to deny it that your love drove me crazy baby
If the love that I got for you is gone
If the river I've cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong yeah I'm wrong
This ain't a love song
Baby I thought you and me would
Stand the test of time
Like we got away with the perfect crime
But we were just a legend in my mind
I guess that I was blind
Remember those nights dancing at the masquerade
The clowns wore smiles that wouldn't fade
You and I were the renegades some things never change
It made me so mad 'cause I wanted it bad for us baby
And now it's so sad that whatever we had
Ain't worth saving oh oh oh
If the love that I've got for you is gone
If the river I've cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong yes I'm wrong
This ain't a love song
If the pain that I'm feeling so strong
Is the reason that I'm holding on
Then I'm wrong yeah I'm wrong
This ain't a love song
I cried and I cried every night
There were nights that I died for you baby
I tried and I tried to deny it that
Your love drove me crazy
If the love that I got for you is gone
If the river I cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong yeah I'm wrong
This ain't a love song
Then I'm wrong yeah I'm wrong
This ain't a love song
oh oh oh no no
song performed by by Bon Jovi from These Days

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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When Knowledge Comes
Of self, to God no sinners turn
Through pride, no kneel will bend
Convicting Fire inside must burn
Through whom The Lord will send
Remove; the devil’s sweet disguise
Bring forth to God what’s real
Expose the filth to holy eyes
The truth in Christ reveal
Be wise God’s child to right and wrong
Beware of Satan’s snares
Refuse to sing the devil’s song
Partake no more his wares
When faith takes captive all unknown
When hope of life is seen
When truth is sat upon his throne
God’s Son has found His queen
Till then His arms are open wide
We’ll hear Salvation cry
We’ll see through faith to walk inside
To dwell in peace on high
Caress God’s Light within your soul
With all your strength hold tight
Have faith in Christ fulfil your goal
Receive your robe of Light
With faith developed in Jesus’ hand
Whilst truth is our to hold
Whilst grace is given to understand
Remain within the fold
For even faith will bend her knee
Once knowledge comes to reign
All this; man’s eyes will surely see
When Jesus comes again
poem by Michael P. Johnson

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Accept And Forgive
Forgiveness is forgiving someone
no matter how difficult it seems,
For nothing is never that difficult,
Imagine a beautiful bird and let it
fly away,
Nothing can stop you from fulfilling
your dreams,
It is only doubt that stands in your way,
Doubt is nothing but a stop sign,
You learn to walk on by and be on your
way,
Never let anyone cause you sadness or grief,
Be strong and have plenty of faith,
Faith is stronger than you think,
Believe in yourself always,
Remember your mistakes only make you wiser,
No one is perfect that is a true fact,
Have a better understanding of people you
speak too,
Are they negative or positive?
Negative ones be on your way,
As I learn to move on through all my doubts,
Sadness and sorrow be gone,
I replace them with love and forgiveness,
Even a loss of a loved one or a break up,
We must always learn to let go,
No matter what situations we face
We get through by a prayer,
Something new always comes our way,
Life is never all that easy,
That is when we must always learn to
accept and forgive.
poem by Derek James

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Pêcheresse
Down the long quay the slow boats glide,
While here and there a house looms white
Against the gloom of the waterside,
And some high window throws a light
As they sail out into the night.
At dawn they will bring in again
To women knitting on the quay
Who wait for him, their man of men;
I stand with them, and watch the sea
Which may have taken mine from me.
Just so the long days come and go.
The nights, ma Doué! the nights are cold!
Our Lady's heart is as frozen snow,
Since this one sin I have not told;
And I shall die or perhaps grow old
Before he comes. The foreign ships
Bring many a one of face and name
As strange as his, to buy your lips,
A gold piece for a scarlet shame
Like mine. But mine was not the same.
One night was ours, one short grey day
Of sudden sin, unshrived, untold.
He found me, and I lost the way
To Paradise for him. I sold
My soul for love and not for gold
He bought my soul, but even so,
My face is all that he has seen,
His is the only face I know,
And in the dark church, like a screen.
It shuts God out; it comes between;
While in some narrow foreign street
Or loitering on the crowded quay,
Who knows what others he may meet
To turn his eyes away from me?
Many are fair to such as he!
There is but one for such as I
To love, to hate, to hunger for;
I shall, perhaps, grow old and die,
With one short day to spend and store,
One night, in all my life, no more.
Just so the long days come and go,
Yet this one sin I will not tell
Though Mary's heart is as frozen snow
And all nights are cold for one warmed too well.
But, oh! ma Doué! the nights of Hell!
poem by Charlotte Mary Mew

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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To William Lloyd Garrison
CHAMPION of those who groan beneath
Oppression's iron hand:
In view of penury, hate, and death,
I see thee fearless stand.
Still bearing up thy lofty brow,
In the steadfast strength of truth,
In manhood sealing well the vow
And promise of thy youth.
Go on, for thou hast chosen well;
On in the strength of God!
Long as one human heart shall swell
Beneath the tyrant's rod.
Speak in a slumbering nation's ear,
As thou hast ever spoken,
Until the dead in sin shall hear,
The fetter's link be broken!
I love thee with a brother's love,
I feel my pulses thrill,
To mark thy Spirit soar above
The cloud of human ill.
My heart hath leaped to answer thine,
And echo back thy words,
As leaps the warrior's at the shine
And flash of kindred swords!
They tell me thou art rash and vain,
A searcher after fame;
That thou art striving but to gain
A long-enduring name;
That thou hast nerved the Afric's hand
And steeled the Afric's heart,
To shake aloft his vengeful brand,
And rend his chain apart.
Have I not known thee well, and read
Thy mighty purpose long?
And watched the trials which have made
Thy human spirit strong?
And shall the slanderer's demon breath
Avail with one like me,
To dim the sunshine of my faith
And earnest trust in thee?
Go on, the dagger's point may glare
Amid thy pathway's gloom;
The fate which sternly threatens there
Is glorious martyrdom!
Then onward with a martyr's zeal;
And wait thy sure reward
When man to man no more shall kneel,
And God alone be Lord!
poem by John Greenleaf Whittier

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