Corners on the Curving Sky
by June Jordan (often misattributed to Gwendolyn Brooks)
Our earth is round, and, among other things
That means that you and I can hold
completely different
Points of view and both be right.
The difference of our positions will show
Stars in your window I cannot even imagine.
Your sky may burn with light,
While mine, at the same moment,
Spreads beautiful to darkness.
Still, we must choose how we separately corner
The circling universe of our experience.
Once chosen, our cornering will determine
The message of any star and darkness we
encounter.
**************
A Prayer
by Max Ehrmann
Let me do my work each day; and if
the darkened hours of despair
overcome me, may I not forget the strength
that comforted me
in the desolation of other times.
May I still remember the bright hours that
found me walking over
the silent hills of my childhood, or dreaming
on the margin of a quiet
river, when a light glowed within me, and
I promised my early God
to have courage amid the tempests of the
changing years.
Spare me from bitterness and from the
sharp passions of unguarded
moments. May I not forget that poverty and
riches are of the spirit.
Though the world knows me not, may my
thoughts and actions be
such as shall keep me friendly with myself.
Lift up my eyes from the earth, and let me not
forget the uses of the
stars. Forbid that I should judge others lest
I condemn myself.
Let me not follow the clamor of the world,
but walk calmly in my
path.
Give me a few friends who will love me for what
I am; and keep ever
burning before my vagrant steps the kindly
light of hope.
And though age and infirmity overtake me,
and I come not within
sight of the castle of my dreams, teach me
still to be thankful for
life, and for time's olden memories that are good
and sweet; and
may the evening's twilight find me gentle still.
**************
A Year of Reading has the Poetry Friday round-up today.
12 comments:
Yes.
Yes to both of these poems, and also to a puppy, full to the brim (no matter the hour) with play!
I really love the prayer. And you know, prayers are tough! Thank you for sharing, Tabatha. Btw,I sent your Swap poem out yesterday. xo
Gentle poems are needed now, and these are lovely. I will carry these words with me today: "...keep ever burning before my vagrant steps the kindly light of hope." Thanks so much for sharing!
Both poems hold great value in the words, Tabatha. I love hearing about those 'rounded corners'. Oh how I wish that many could see that. Thank you. What you share so often seems to fit what I need for the time.
Beautiful pairing, Tabatha - thank you for sharing. (Needed so much as we watch the news lately - sigh.) Love "dreaming
on the margin of a quiet
river" ...
[Well, following up on Irene's comment, I'm sending out LAST WEEK's Swap poem to you today! Maybe you'll get them both at the same time - ha!]
I agree, these are two beautiful poems. It made me feel more at peace by reading them. Thanks for sharing them today!
You do find some beauties, Tabatha. Thanks for sharing.
I had never come across that June Jordan poem before. How I love this:
"Your sky may burn with light,
While mine, at the same moment,
Spreads beautiful to darkness."
Thank you for some gentle perspective on a frightful world.
Oh dearest Tabatha, I needed to read these poems today. Poetry is like a prayer too, isn't it?
"our cornering will determine
The message of any star and darkness we
encounter."
Sometimes it is all a matter of perspective. If only the world's hurts could be healed by these words and heed its wisdom.
I agree with Myra if the world's hurts could be healed with any words, this poem could do it! And the prayer is so beautiful. These are my favorite lines:
And though age and infirmity overtake me,
and I come not within
sight of the castle of my dreams, teach me
still to be thankful for
life.
Poetry can be a powerful healer. Thanks for sharing, Tabatha!
Sometimes a gentle poem or two is just what is needed to get through the day! Taking the time to breathe....
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