Poem
Revisiting Life: “A Psalm of Life” by H W Longfellow
What The Heart Of The Young Man Said To The Psalmist.
“A Psalm of Life” is a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1838. The poem was written during a time of great social and political upheaval, when people were questioning the meaning and purpose of their lives.
Longfellow wrote the poem to inspire and encourage people to live their lives with purpose and to make a positive impact on the world around them. The poem has since become a beloved classic, reminding readers to embrace life’s challenges and strive for greatness.
The Poem
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world’s broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act, — act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o’erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
Overview/Learnings
This poem is a powerful reminder to live life to the fullest and make every moment count.
It urges us not to waste our lives on empty dreams but to act with purpose and courage. It encourages us to leave a positive impact on the world and inspire others to do the same.
The poem reminds us that life is fleeting and time is precious, and that we should use our time wisely to pursue our dreams and make a difference.
The Motive
The message is clear: don’t let life pass you by, but instead take charge and be a hero in your own life.
Take Care👍🙌
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