Desirada poem

[seeker]

Hello everybody,

I was reminded of this poem while posting elsewhere.  (I don't know if I'm spelling the title correctly...i I had to guess, I think it is by Alexander Pope.)  It has something for everybody here.  What is also interesting is that it is timeless--written ages ago but still relevant!!  Enjoy. S.  
P.S. I've put in bold some stuff that jumped out at me as one who has experienced N in full flower  

Desirada

Go placidly amid the noise and the 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 to the dull and 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 or 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 not 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 than 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 conceive 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.

[Discounted Girl]

Seeker, what a lovely poem, thank you. I totally love it !
I have printed the poem and put it on my bulletin board, and kept your bolded choices in tact.
Your post prompted me to do a little research.
Here is what I found:
The Desiderata is one of the most inspirational poems ever written.
The word desiderata means "things to be desired; anything desired; that of which the lack is felt; a want generally felt and acknowledged."
The poem was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945), an American author and lawyer from Indiana. He left this prose poem untitled and after his death his widow gave it the name, "Desiderata."
When he wrote the poem, he noted in his diary: "I should like, if I could, to leave a humble gift---a bit of chaste prose that had caught up some noble moods."
Thank you Mr. Ehrmann  

[seeker]

Hi Discounted Girl,

Written in the 1920's?  Ack!!!  Of course, in my extreme need to be correct   I also did a search and found many attributions to Max Erhmann as you did and a couple to St. Paul's Church in Baltimore, dated 1692.  But maybe they meant 1962 and left Max out of it...  Thanks for the definition--it's great!  

I may completely undo the good of the first post, but I also found this version (many parodies of this poem abound).  I remember hearing this one on the radio when I was growing up.  Imagine Leslie Nielsen reading it totally deadpan and women singing the refrain.  Can't resist, here goes, again with my favorite parts in bold   :

FLUKE OF THE UNIVERSE

Go placidly amid the noise and waste,
and render what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.
Avoid quiet and placid people, unless you are in need of sleep.
Rotate your tires.
Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself, and heed well their advice,
even though they be turkeys.
Know what to kiss, and when.
Consider that two wrongs never make a right, but that three do.
Whenever possible, put people on hold.
Be comforted that in the face of all idiocity and dissolusionment, and
and despite the changing fortunes of time,
There is always a big future in computer maintainance.

          You are a Fluke of the Universe.
          You have no right to be here,
          and whether you can hear it or not,
          the Universe is laughing behind you back.

Remember the Pueblo.
Strive at all times to bend, Fold, Spindle and Mutilate.
Know yourself.
If you need help, call the F.B.I.
Exercise caution in your daily affairs, especially with those persons
closest to yourself.
That lemon on your left, for instance.
be assured that a walk throught the ocean of most souls would
scarecely get your feet wet.
Fall not in love, therefor, it will stick to your face.
Gracefully surrender the things of Youth, Birds, Clean Air,
Tuna, Taiwan.
And let not the sands of time get in your lunch.
Hire people with hooks.
For a good time, call 606-4311... ask for Candy.
Take heart in the deepening gloom that your dog is finally getting
enough cheese.
And reflect that whatever misfortune may be your lot,
it could only be worse in milwalkee.

          You are a Fluke of the Universe.
          You have no right to be here,
          and whether you can hear it or not,
          the Universe is laughing behind you back.

Therefor, amke peace with your god, whatever you may percieve him to be;
Hairy Thunderer, or Cosmic Muffin.
With all its Hopes, Dreams, Promises, and Urban Renewal,
the world continues to deteriorate.

                         GIVE UP!

          You are a Fluke of the Universe.
          You have no right to be here,
          and whether you can hear it or not,
          the Universe is laughing behind you back.

[Discounted Girl]

hahah -- that was good  
Reminds me of my last birthday card from the NQueenmother:

You are a Parasite of my womb.
You have no right to be here,
you are blocking my view of myself,
get out of my way.

and my last card to her:

You are a blood-sucking weirdo.
You have no right to treat me this way,
and whether you can hear it or not,
you've discounted me for the last time.

yeehaw -- remember the Alamo !
Seeker is a Keeper  

[Jenocidal]

outstanding!

While I grew up, my narcissistic mother always hung a tattered poster next to our toilet.  As a child, I would reread that poem, everyday.

It was Desiderata.

[Jessica]

Jenocidal -

My NMom hung that poem in the bathroom next to the kitchen.  I, too, read it every day growing up.


Synchronicity.   


Jessica

[CeeMee]

How interesting, the bathroom must be the preferred place for the Desiderata.  That's where ours hung and I memorized it by the time I was 15.  It has been a guide for me my entire life since.  Most problems in life can be put into perspective or thought through reasonably when I refer back to this poem.  Despite my often gloomy outlook when I see what's going on in the world, I understand that everything is cyclical and it really is...

still a beautiful world.

CeeMee