Sunday, June 22, 2008

To Slay the Dragon

Therapied. If there's such a word. I'm back determined to slay the dragon. Life's too short for me to make it shorter.


"A Prayer"
(by Max Ehrmann)



Let me do my work each day; and if the darkened hours of despair
overcome me, may I not forget the strength that comforted me
in the desolation of other times.

May I still remember the bright hours that found me walking over
the silent hills of my childhood, or dreaming on the margin of a quiet
river, when a light glowed within me, and I promised my early God
to have courage amid the tempests of the changing years.

Spare me from bitterness and from the sharp passions of unguarded
moments. May I not forget that poverty and riches are of the spirit.
Though the world knows me not, may my thoughts and actions be
such as shall keep me friendly with myself.

Lift up my eyes from the earth, and let me not forget the uses of the
stars. Forbid that I should judge others lest I condemn myself.
Let me not follow the clamor of the world, but walk calmly in my
path.

Give me a few friends who will love me for what I am; and keep ever
burning before my vagrant steps the kindly light of hope.

And though age and infirmity overtake me, and I come not within
sight of the castle of my dreams, teach me still to be thankful for
life, and for time's olden memories that are good and sweet; and
may the evening's twilight find me gentle still.

4 comments:

. said...

I missed your entries and I'm glad you're back to writing.

pusa said...

welcome back!!! nice to know that ur back and writing, missed ur entries

Lydia said...

What a joy to have you back. I have missed your writing more than a comment box can display.

The Max Ehrmann prayer is so beautiful. I had a poster of his "Desiderata" on my bedroom wall in my teen years and it got me through some complicated times. This one is so special, also. I looked online and found a short bio of him because I never bothered to look before. He was Harvard Law School educated.
here's the link:
http://myweb.wvnet.edu/~jelkins/
lp-2001/ehrmann.html

bagiuodweller said...

glad to know the pen has reawakened!