Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, JOY OF SERVICE, by ALICE HIRSH


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

JOY OF SERVICE, by                    
First Line: Among the joys which friendship can bestow
Last Line: Reflected from a guardian angel's face.
Subject(s): Service


Among the joys which friendship can bestow
The opportunity to serve transcends
All else. Life does not give, but only lends,
What men call theirs. The flame of love shall glow
Across the world when mankind learns to know
That interchange of helpfulness which blends
The varied strivings into common ends.
None walk alone the paths which mortals go.

Receive, and give, and share! Gifts are not, "mine,"
Nor, "yours", but "ours". In every need and place
That simple creed will draw us to the shrine
Which bears an everlasting fount of grace.
A smile which greets us here is as a sign
Reflected from a guardian angel's face.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net