Encouragement Poems

This Too, Shall Pass Away

Whate'er thou art, where'er thy footsteps stray,

Heed these wise words: This, too, shall pass away.

Oh, jewel sentence from the mine of truth!

What riches it contains for age or youth.

No stately epic, measured and sublime,

So comforts, or so counsels, for all time

As these few words. Go write them on your heart

And make them of your daily life a part.

Art thou in misery, brother? Then I pray

Be comforted! Thy grief shall pass away.

Art thou elated? Ah, be not too gay;

Temper thy joy; this, too, shall pass away.

Fame, glory, place and power,

They are but little baubles of the hour.

Thus, be not o'er proud,

Nor yet cast down; judge thou aright;

When skies are clear, expect the cloud;

In darkness, wait the coming light;

Whatever be thy fate today,

Remember, even this shall pass away!

Based on Old Indian Legend

Faith For Tomorrow

"Tomorrow, friend, will be another day,"

A seer wise of old was wont to say

To him who came at eventide, in grief,

Because the day had borne no fruitful sheaf.

O Lord of Life, that each of us might learn

From vain todays and yesterdays to turn,

To face the future with a hope newborn

That what we hope for cometh with the morn!

Thomas Curtis Clark