justplainbil

Just Plain Bill

Do you have a favorite poem or verse?

As I was researching a few of my favorite poems, I came across a poem written by one my favorite poets, Emily Dickinson, a fabulous writer whose 1,800+ poems were little known until after her death. It’s called This world is not Conclusion, and once I read it, I was blown away. I printed it and taped it above my computer at home where I do most of my work.

This World is not Conclusion.

A Species stands beyond -

Invisible, as Music -

But positive, as Sound -

It beckons, and it baffles -

Philosophy - don't know -

And through a Riddle, at the last -

Sagacity, must go -

To guess it, puzzles scholars -

To gain it, Men have borne

Contempt of Generations

And Crucifixion, shown -

Faith slips - and laughs, and rallies –

Blushes, if any see -

Plucks at a twig of Evidence -

And asks a Vane, the way -

Much Gesture, from the Pulpit -

Strong Hallelujahs roll -

Narcotics cannot still the Tooth

That nibbles at the soul –

WOW!

What role does poetry play in your life? For me, ever since I moved beyond my mother’s edict that poems had to rhyme, I’ve been attracted to several verses that have provided inspiration and meaning to my life. I’ve even been courageous enough to write a verse or two - a subject for a later blog.

My three most favorite poems, ones that I’ve actually memorized…

I would rather be ashes than dust.

I would rather that my spark should burn out

in a brilliant blaze,

than it should be stifled by dry rot.

I would rather be a superb meteor,

every atom of me in magnificent glow,

than a sleepy and permanent planet.

The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.

I shall not waste my days, in trying to prolong them,

I will use my time.

                                                           -    Jack London 

I often recite that poem at the conclusion of my leadership and management seminars, or whenever I wish to leave something for participants to think about after engaging in some meaningful discussion of a variety of intellectual concepts.

Another favorite is one I used when I was an elementary school teacher, asking students to either draw a picture or write a comment about what that poem meant to them. I remember distinctly the picture of a sunrise drawn by Edwin, one of my more quiet third-grade students. He said the poem reminded him that we would always have our dreams, which no one can take away from us, and that dreams are always there, even when things are not going well.

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow

                                                           -    Langston Hughes

Finally, a simple but powerful commitment for not living “in vain.”

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain:

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

                                                 -    Emily Dickinson

What’s your favorite poem? If you have one, jot down a few verses and send them to me. Please.