<h2><SPAN name="poem07"></SPAN>I AM</h2>
<p class="poetry">I know not whence I came,<br/>
I know not whither I go;<br/>
But the fact stands clear that I am here<br/>
In this world of pleasure and woe.<br/>
And out of the mist and murk<br/>
Another truth shines plain—<br/>
It is my power each day and hour<br/>
To add to its joy or its pain.</p>
<p class="poetry">I know that the earth exists,<br/>
It is none of my business why;<br/>
I cannot find out what it’s all about,<br/>
I would but waste time to try.<br/>
My life is a brief, brief thing,<br/>
I am here for a little space,<br/>
And while I stay I would like, if I may,<br/>
To brighten and better the place.</p>
<p class="poetry">The trouble, I think, with us all<br/>
Is the lack of a high conceit.<br/>
If each man thought he was sent to this spot<br/>
To make it a bit more sweet,<br/>
How soon we could gladden the world,<br/>
How easily right all wrong,<br/>
If nobody shirked, and each one worked<br/>
To help his fellows along!</p>
<p class="poetry">Cease wondering why you came—<br/>
Stop looking for faults and flaws;<br/>
Rise up to-day in your pride and say,<br/>
“I am part of the First Great Cause!<br/>
However full the world,<br/>
There is room for an earnest man.<br/>
It had need of me, or I would not be—<br/>
I am here to strengthen the plan.”</p>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />
1 of 2
2 of 2
Previous
Next
Update Required
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.