Carly's Ramblings Blog - Style

Poetry - My favourite - Desiderata

Blog City - DAY 2516 March12, 2022

Poems, like dreams, are a sort of royal road to the unconscious. They tell you what your secret self cannot express. - Erica Jong
What type of poetry helps you connect with your unconscious self? Favorite poet? Favorite poem? Why do you like it?

I love to write free verse poetry. I find I open myself up and let the words swirl. I am almost always amazed at what wee gem presents itself. In the process I learn a little bit about myself as I see it connects to the universal.
I also find writing poetry helps me make sense of some big emotions that I find hard to articulate verbally. I wrote a lot of poems in high school. I was one of my saving graces during a time that was absurd and confusing. Not only was I a teenager, but I also lost my father to cancer when I was 12... so there were some pretty big emotions - even if I didn't write about them directly... right away. Things percolated and came to the forefront when they were ready and I was able to make sense of this will my creative source's help.

My favourite poem is Desiderata by Max Ehrmann. Written in 1952. I hepoignantead by Morgan Freeman. His voice and the poem were poignent. I would love to find a YouTube video of it, but I believe it was on an episode of Oprah Winfrey's Masterclass featuring Morgan Freeman. This poem is also posted in a bathroom off the staff room in an old school - Sheppard Public School, I believe. When the day is going rough, you read it in that small moment of time by yourself and take it to heart as you head out for the rest of your day.
I also have a copy of it by my bed - one of these days I will get it posted up on the wall in a proper frame.
I only found this poem in the last couple of decade, but I wish I had read it when I was much younger - say, in high school, though I may not have appreciated it as much then. Who knows. Poems come to you when you need them.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less that the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you concieve Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.