Friday, September 29, 2023

Poetry Friday: I need a little Emily Dickinson today

 But then, who doesn't? 


If I can stop one heart from breaking,
    I shall not live in vain;
    If I can ease one life the aching,
    Or cool one pain,
    Or help one fainting robin
    Unto his nest again,
    I shall not live in vain.

This poem is in the public domain. 

~~~~~~~~~~


Have a beautiful Friday and may you ease one life the aching today, 
or be on the receiving end of such kindness. 

14 comments:

Tracey Kiff-Judson said...

Karen, your thoughtful post accomplished your mission!

jama said...

Thanks for the Emily fix. I imagine she's somewhere baking bread and jotting down poetry notes on scraps of paper . . .

Karen Eastlund said...

Always a good reminder. Thanks.

Linda B said...

There are many people in need & an act of kindness feels like the order of the day, doesn't it? And long ago, Emily showed us that so beautifully. Thanks, Karen. Have a great weekend!

Verrena Diane Anderson said...

Thanks for sharing this poem with such an important reminder of how we should be.

Mary Lee said...

I feel like we need to hire a skywriter to write this in the air over Washington, DC! (Might be a few too may words, and would they even look up? But still...)

Karen Edmisten said...

Tracey, so good to know!
Jama, I love that mental picture. :)
Karen, you're most welcome!
Linda, it does indeed feel like the order of the day. Hope you have a great weekend too!
Verrena, my pleasure.
Mary Lee, love that idea. :)

Linda said...

Karen, this is my favorite Emily Dickinson poem. Thank your for sharing it here!

Karen Edmisten said...

It's one of my favorites, too, Linda. Happy to share it!

Denise Krebs said...

Karen, thank you for sharing. Yes, I needed a little Emily Dickinson today too. "If I can stop one heart from breaking." Yes, indeed. That would be my wish.

Karen Edmisten said...

It's my wish for you too, Denise!

Anastasia Suen said...

Emily always know what to say!

Bookseedstudio said...

Karen, brilliant share.


feel this poem has kept more little creatures [ bugs, etc.] & bigger tings, alive, by wee ones having had it read to them thru the years. And then for us older souls, it's a nourishing balm for the roiled times. Thank you so much.

Jan
Bookseedstudio

Karen Edmisten said...

Anastasia, yes, Emily is always spot on.

Jan, oh, so true!