“Hope” is the thing with feathers—
That perches in the soul—
And sings the tune without the words—
And never stops—at all—

And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard—
And sore must be the storm—
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm—

I’ve heard it in the chillest land—
And on the strangest Sea—
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb—of Me.

- Emily Dickinson 4 months ago

Added this poem to my reciting repertoire. In my opinion a very motivating poem that some people on 43things might be able to relate to as they reach for their goals.

If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don’t,
If you like to win, but think you can’t,
It’s almost certain you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost,
For out of the world we find,
Success begins with a person’s will-
It’s all in a state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are,
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can! 8 months ago

Learning poetry by heart is something really wonderful. This is like learning songs, the rhythm of a poem lingers around and you feel joy, or sorrow, crystal pure melancholy…

I was memorizing poetry of Federico García Lorca. his lines made me crying and smiling at the same time, they inspired me and sometimes there was a feeling like I had wings.

Ok, I became sentimental. I just mean that this is worth doing. It is even practical, because learning by heart makes your memory work better. 10 months ago

added Solitude by Ella Wheeler Wilcox 12 months ago

Added “Invictus” by William E. Henley into my rotation. 14 months ago

Today I learned the Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear. Kind of dorky, and it’s technically not a poem but a litany, but IMO it was worth it. 14 months ago

Added “Live a Good Life” by Marcus Aurelius to my poetry repertoire. 14 months ago

My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damask’d, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.

- Nothing like a lil bit of Shakespeare, right?? :D
I love him, seriously. 21 months ago