Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ALTRUISM, by ANONYMOUS First Line: If you have a friend worth loving Last Line: "so until the happy end, / your life shall never lack a friend" Variant Title(s): Speak Out;a Sermon In Rhyme;seeds Of Kindness;say It Now Subject(s): Friendship;kindness | ||||||||
If you have a friend worth loving, Love him. Yes, and let him know That you love him, ere life's evening Tinge his brow with sunset glow. Why should good words ne'er be said Of a friend -- till he is dead? If you hear a song that thrills you, Sung by any child of song, Praise it. Do not let the singer Wait deserved praises long. Why should one who thrills your heart Lack the joy you may impart? If you hear a prayer that moves you By its humble, pleading tone, Join it. Do not let the seeker Bow before his God alone. Why should not your brother share The strength of "two or three" in prayer? If you see the hot tears falling From a brother's weeping eyes, Share them. And by kindly sharing Own our kinship in the skies. Why should anyone be glad When a brother's heart is sad? If a silvery laugh goes rippling Through the sunshine on his face, Share it. 'Tis the wise man's saying -- For both grief and joy a place. There's health and goodness in the mirth In which an honest laugh has birth. If your work is made more easy By a friendly, helping hand, Say so. Ere the darkness veil the land. Should a brother workman dear Falter for a word of cheer? Scatter thus your seeds of kindness All enriching as you go -- Leave them. Trust the Harvest Giver; He will make each seed to grow. So until the happy end Your life shall never lack a friend. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FOR THE SAKE OF STRANGERS by DORIANNE LAUX A CONSIDERABLE SPECK by ROBERT FROST BUT I DO NOT NEED KINDNESS by GREGORY NUNZIO CORSO HER DILEMMA; IN CHURCH by THOMAS HARDY TIS A LITTLE JOURNEY by ANONYMOUS |
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