Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. How did you discover the Desiderata? What effect did it have on you? If you are just discovering it, do share your thoughts with us. Desiderata (Latin for "desired things"), came to me in the summer of 2002, I visited a bookshop and was instantly drawn to a small book titled 'Desiderata, and other inspirational poems'. I opened the book and was confronted by the most beautiful, meaningful and inspirational prose poem I have ever known. I bought the book and now I read it in happiness and in sadness. I read it for inspiration and also when I need to remain grounded. I read it when I feel lost, and when try to make sense of things. What does this poem mean to you?
20 comments:
I saw this poem a while back and it did strike a cord but I never did ask, the person whose office I saw it in, where it came from.
I especially like this:
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.
I will be back with why.
Very beautiful poem,
to point and so truthful, are there any more?
Would you believe I've read snatches but never the whole thing? Therefore, I cannot say its made any impact on me. Let's give it a week and see how I feel about it then.
@anonymous:
You are welcome back here anytime.
@omohemi:
Anymore by Max Ehrmann? yes there are but none I find as inspiring as the Desiderata. If you mean anymore meaningful poems, I do have a few to share.
@adumada:
Will be waiting for your views, in one week and counting.
I just read The Desiderata for the first time. Thanks for sharing. Still pondering the words
@anonymous:
Do let us know what you think...
I was 14 yrs old and my Sis was 16. We were having an argument about a movie we had watched. She could not get my point so I raised my voice at her.
She evoked her superiority complex, moved away from me and then proceeded to recite the 2 verses of the Desiderata, making a point of emphasising the line "Avoid loud and aggressive persons". This got me irritated as am not loud and aggressive. Anyway another older sister who was present got me a book of poems with it.
I always read it with a smile. I find it a very good reflective tool as it deals with most of the life’s thought provoking issues.
There is a song too…the chorus is .."you are a child of the universe…" Cannot remember who sang it. Do you?
@number one fan:
Now that was a funny story.....
Sorry I dont know the song...
How are you?
very inspirational, never came across this poem until now, had to copy it immediately. A lot of those things apply a lot to my life, i was quite at peace when i read it cos i felt like i was being spoken to. And i'm definitely putting those things into practice from now, thanks a lot boorish.
Aw r u and aw's ur blog marriage going? And when are we washing it, u havent said anything yet o, lol.
@chicala:
Glad you like the poem, sorry i havent announced the washing date, admadan and I have been to busy blog-copulating and we have little time for anything else. Will keep you posted....
I’m a first time reader... and almost every line has a msg i can relate to... like,
"Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others"
"Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans"
"Be yourself"
"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"
"Therefore, be at peace with God"
"With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy"
Each of these portions have spoken to me in different ways... its amazing how u can find that u connect with another human being just by similar thots that run thru each of ur minds.
@phazzed:
Now do you understand when it is said that there is no such thing as a coincidence? We are all interconnected it is eerie.
Brother Boorish!!
A post on one of the works I really appreciate.
Thanks .
Have a fantastic day
How are you?
Your sister from the land of Mahatma!
[as you call me]
:)
@my sister from the land of mahatma:
I'm fine, thanks for asking. somehow I knew you would appreciate this poem. Thanks for posting.
I read this at boarding school. Maybe 12 years ago. One of the nuns read it to us and gave us a copy.
Its Beautiful and so full of wisdom.
This poem struck me on so many levels. It inspired and still inspires me to value my peace of mind and try living as authentic a life as possible.
Quite a beautiul poem with so much truth. Its funny about the loud and agressive people, they can't be friends with eachothr now, they need a balance.
Brother Boorish Male!
Just now enjoyed the lovely gallery on Unicorngarden.com
Thanks for the link:)
Your sister from the land of Mahatma
I love Desiderata ...especially where is says there willi always be people above or less fortunate than you...its a powerful piece of work that desiderata.
I love the 'desiderata.' First saw it on a poster in my aunt's office. You should also check out Rudyard Kipling's "The Thousandth Man." It's probably my favourite poem ever.
Oh my!!! when i saw this post i thought u meant the 8 desiderata by lon fuller....(i was thinkin this guy is weird but deep),but it turns out to be nice poem/bit of prose (not really into poetry so i dnt really kno wat to term this as)
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