My poetry : good poetry by others

The road to hell, they assure me,

With good intentions is paved;

And I know my desires are noble,

But my deeds might brand me depraved.

It's the warped grain in our nature,

And St. Paul has written it true:

'The good that I would I do not;

But the evil I would not I do.'

I've met few men who are monsters

When I came to know them inside;

Yet their bearing and dealings external

Are crusted with cruelty, pride,

Scorn, selfishness, envy, indifference,

Greed--why the long list pursue?

The good that they would they do not;

But the evil they would not they do.

Intentions may still leave us beast-like;

With unchangeable purpose we're men.

We must drive the nail home--and then clinch it

Or storms shake it loose again.

In things of great import, in trifles,

We our recreant souls must subdue

Till the evil we would not we do not

And the good that we would we do.

St. Clair Adams.

Smile

Smile a little, smile a little,

As you go along,

Not alone when life is pleasant,

But when things go wrong.

Care delights to see you frowning,

Loves to hear you sigh;

Turn a smiling face upon her,

Quick the dame will fly.

Smile a little, smile a little,

All along the road;

Every life must have its burden,

Every heart its load.

Why sit down in gloom and darkness,

With your grief to sup?

As you drink Fate's bitter tonic

Smile across the cup.

Smile upon the troubled pilgrims

Whom you pass and meet;

Frowns are thorns, and smiles are blossoms

Oft for weary feet.

Do not make the way seem harder

By a sullen face,

Smile a little, smile a little,

Brighten up the place.

Smile upon your undone labor;

Not for one who grieves

O'er his task, waits wealth or glory;

He who smiles achieves.

Though you meet with loss and sorrow

In the passing years,

Smile a little, smile a little,

Even through your tears.

-author unknown-

Have no regrets today