It is however, a a food for thought post.
A person I follow on twitter asked:
"Who cares how the world remembers you? How will you remember yourself?"
And it instantly made me think of my favorite poem (one of two).
I stumbled upon this work by Edmund Vance Cooke sometime early-on in college and have been loyal to it ever since.
So here's my chance to share it with you, Dear Readers:
How Did You Die
by Edmund Vance Cooke
Did you tackle that trouble that came your way
With a resolute heart and cheerful?
Or hide your face from the light of day
With a craven soul and fearful?
Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it,
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
But only how did you take it?
You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that?
Come up with a smiling face.
It's nothing against you to fall down flat,
But to lie there--that's disgrace.
The harder you're thrown, why the higher you bounce;
Be proud of your blackened eye!
It isn't the face that you're licked that counts,
It's how did you fight--and why?
And though you be done to death, what then?
If you battled the best you could,
If you played your part in the world of men,
Why, the Critic will call it good.
Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,
And whether he's slow or spry,
It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts,
But only how did you die?
I just stumbled upon this poem two weeks ago on a trip with my boyfriend. I awoke at 3 am with thoughts running rampant in my head. Everything in that moment was actually peaceful and beautiful, but my mind was taking me to places of fear and faithlessness. I got out of bed, opened my journal and began to write out the thoughts I was having. I looked at the bookshelf and saw a book of poetry. I opened to the page containing the poem "How Did You Die".
ReplyDeleteIt put things into perspective for me. I was able to let go of the nonsense and look at what was real...and reality, in that moment, was perfect. I copied the poem on the first page of my journal and I read it almost daily. Thanks for sharing it in your blog.
I stumbled upon the poem much in the same way--just picked a book of poetry off the shelf. And you're right: it immediately puts things into perspective.
ReplyDeleteI think its the most important poem I've ever come across. Nothing speaks so clearly to any problem with living one might have.
Thank you for the comments and insight.
This poem,"How Did You Die" has been apart of my life since I was asked to read it in high school assembly 47 years ago. The line that continued to resonate the most was, "And it isn't the fact that your hurt that counts, but only how did you take it." After 47 years with the internet, I decided to track it down. All the emotions came back as if I were standing in front of that same audience. It was and is my most favorite poem.
ReplyDeleteBrenda - it is a highly emotional poem, I agree. I speaks to no one, preaches to no one, involves no one but oneself. It is the breath of fresh air on what can be a stale day after stale day of disappointment. It reminds us to be the very best version of ourselves. And I love it. Thank you for your visit as well as your comment.
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