Inspirational quotes and poetry

Post sayings and stories you find interesting or useful.
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chicka-Dee
Posts: 78
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:31 pm
Location: Western Canada

Re: Inspirational quotes and poetry

Post by chicka-Dee »

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice—
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do—
determined to save
the only life you could save.

~Mary Oliver
"The image is a dream. The beauty is real. Can you see the difference?" ~Richard Bach from "Illusions"
User avatar
chicka-Dee
Posts: 78
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:31 pm
Location: Western Canada

Re: Inspirational quotes and poetry

Post by chicka-Dee »

THE KINGDOM OF LOVE

In the dawn of the day the sea and the earth
Reflected the sunrise above,
I set forth with a heart full of courage and mirth
To seek for the Kingdom of Love.
I asked a Poet I met on the way
Which cross-road would lead me aright;
And he said: 'Follow me, and ere long you shall see
Its glittering turrets of light.'

And soon in the distance a city shone fair.
'Look yonder,' he said; 'how it gleams!'
But alas! for the hopes that were doomed to despair,
It was only the 'Kingdom of Dreams.'
Then the next man I asked was a gay Cavalier,
And he said: 'Follow me, follow me';
And with laughter and song we went speeding along
By the shores of Life's beautiful sea.

Then we came to a valley more tropical far
Than the wonderful vale of Cashmere,
And I saw from a bower a face like a flower
Smile out on the gay Cavalier;
And he said: 'We have come to humanity's goal:
Here love and delight are intense.'
But alas and alas! for the hopes of my soul --
It was only the 'Kingdom of Sense.'

As I journeyed more slowly I met on the road
A coach with retainers behind;
And they said: 'Follow me, for our Lady's abode
Belongs in that realm, you will find.'
'Twas a grand dame of fashion, a newly-made bride,
I followed, encouraged and bold;
But my hopes died away like the last gleams of day,
For we came to the 'Kingdom of Gold.'

At the door of a cottage I asked a fair maid.
'I have heard of that realm,' she replied;
'But my feet never roam from the 'Kingdom of Home',
So I know not the way,' and she sighed.
I looked on the cottage; how restful it seemed!
And the maid was as fair as a dove.
Great light glorified my soul as I cried:
'Why, Home is the "Kingdom of Love"!'

~Ella Wheeler Wilcox
"The image is a dream. The beauty is real. Can you see the difference?" ~Richard Bach from "Illusions"
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