DESIDERATA

Go placidly amid the noise and haste
remember there is peace in silence embraced.

As far as it depends on you stall,
be peaceable, be in good terms with all.

Speak truth to all, listen to others interrogatories,
even the dull and ignorant have their stories.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, don’t listen
to their outbursts, they’re vexations to the spirit.

Be yourself. If you compare yourself to others, better
or otherwise you may be vain or bitter.

Enjoy your triumphs when they come, sunk up defeats,
work at your career, nurture that hobby – that feat;

however humble, it’s a gold dime
in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, sadly
the world is full of trickery.

But let not Caution blind you and whisk
you to what rewards there is in taking Risk.

Many strive higher ideals, few aspire zeros
life is full of heroism, yet we can’t all be heroes.

Do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for
in the face of all aridity it’s as evergreen as the fir.

Take kindly the counselling of your parents,
gracefully surrender folly’s transference.

Nurture strength of spirit – it’s a fortress
that will shields you in sudden misfortune.

Don’t distress yourself with dark lowliness.
many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline be not adverse
to yourself, you are a child of the universe.

No less than the trees and the star(s)
you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,
Planet Earth is spinning with or without your clue.

Wounds heal, clay coagulate, broken hearts mend
Birth renews creation, Death is Birth’s dividend

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive him to be – laud

him and whatever your labors or goal,
in this noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, broken dreams and whirled
drudgery, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful, be chatty
be happy

Copyright © 2019. Ugo Nkwoala. (Extra from Max Ehrmann, 1927 )