Sunday's Poem - "Just One" by Anonymous

Just One 

One song can spark a moment,

One flower can wake the dream.

One tree can start a forest,

One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,

One handclasp lifts a soul.

One star can guide a ship at sea,

One word can frame the goal

One vote can change a nation,

One sunbeam lights a room

One candle wipes out darkness,

One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey.

One word must start each prayer.

One hope will raise our spirits,

One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,

One heart can know what's true,

One life can make a difference,

That one life could be you.

-Anonymous

Sunday's Poem - "Winter's Roads"

Winter's Roads

By Ron Carnell

I cannot speak for all who stem
'Long roads less traveled as their way,

Nor question choices made by them

In days long past or nights long dim

by words they spoke and did not say.

Each road is long, though short it seems,

And credence gives each road a name

Of fantasies sun-drenched in beams

Or choices turned to darkened dreams,

To where each road wends just the same.

From North to South, then back again,

I followed birds like all the rest

Escaping nature's snowy den

On roads I've seen and places been,

Forsaking roads that traveled West.

This journey grows now to its end,

As road reflections lined in chrome

Give way to roads with greater bend

And empty signs that still pretend

They point the way to home sweet home.

But all roads lead to where we go

And where we go is where we've been,

So home is just a word we know,

That space in time most apropos

For where we want to be again.

For even home, it seems to me,

Is still a choice we all must face

From day to day and endlessly,

To choose if home is going to be

Another road - or just a place.

Sunday's Poem - "The Winter Heart"

According to one of my favorite poets, William Wordsworth, "Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings...." The poem below is a perfect example of that expression and seemed to be "the right one" for posting here today.  

The Winter Heart

Wish but one wish when winter comes,

Dream but one dream of the past.

The light from a fire is in all our homes

But the flames from the hearth won't last.

For faint and few are the embers,

Snuggle up and keep on your gloves;

What the Winter Heart always remembers

Is the warmth of a heart that loves.

-Unknown

Sunday's Poem - Yesterday is History, by Emily Dickinson

   Yesterday is History,

Tis so far away --

Yesterday is Poetry --

Tis Philosophy.

Yesterday is mystery -- 

Where it is Today -

While we shrewdly speculate

Flutter both away.

-  Emily Dickinson

Sunday's Poem - A Psalm of Life, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A Psalm of Life by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow What the Heart of the Young Man said to the psalmist 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 tomorrow Finds us farther than today. 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.

"For Our World Campaign"

I received an unexpected pleasure today when I logged onto this blog - a comment from Jeni Stepanek!  If you read a poem I posted here on Sunday, November 7, 2010, you may recall the name "Stepanek." The poem was entitled "For Our World," by Mattie Stepanek, who is Jeni's son.  Although I have already published Jeni's comment on the November 7th post, I am re-printing her comment here, as it contains information about the "For Our World Campaign" that Jeni began this fall. It is my hope that other bloggers will take part in Jeni's campaign to share Mattie's poem with the world.


Jeni said: "Thank you so much for sharing this poem on your website. I began a "For Our World Campaign" this fall, with hope of having this poem published on websites and bulletin boards around the world by the 10th anniversary of 9/11/2001. Mattie believed that we should seek to rebuild, rather than seek revenge. This poem is a gentle, yet powerful reminder, of the choices each of us can make for our world, and for peace." 


Jeni Stepanek ("Mattie's mom") www.mattieonline.com."


Thank you, Jeni, for your comment and for your effort to share Mattie's moving words with others!