Longfellow

 I have been on a poetry kick lately. Over a year ago I found a book, copyrighted 1929, called 101 Famous Poems. We read more then half of it, mostly as bedtime discussion fodder. Some encouraged great discussion. Others were simply called "boring" at first glance. Almost all of them have stretched our vocabulary.
 When we moved the book was packed away and forgotten, until about a week ago. Zion was given an assignment, as part of one of his classes in our homeschool co-op, to write a poem. His trials with that inspired me to find the old book again and see what else we could learn from it. I am so glad I did, because "old" almost always makes me happy!

 First, Zion's finished poem.

Lazy Daisy

makes me crazy.

Sloppy, floppy

is really droppy.

Food goes everywhere,

along with her shedding hair.

I eat my food, there she begs,

jumping on her deer-like legs.

She makes Missouri furry.

Crazy Daisy is so Lazy.

 Canaan's quote is: "I COULD write a poem. I just don't want to". 

 Apparently I have not inspired him enough yet. 

 I would like to share last night's reading. It inspires me!

 A Psalm of Life

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,

Life is but an empty dream!

For the soul is dead that slumbers,

And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!

And the grave is not its goal;

Dust thou art, to dust returnest,

Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

Is our destined end or way;

But to act, that each tomorrow

Find us farther than today.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,

And our hearts, though stout and brave,

Still, like muffled drums, are beating

Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,

In the bivouac of life,

Be not dumb, driven cattle!

Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!

Let the dead Past bury is dead!

Act,- act in the living Present!

Heart within, and God o'erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints on the sands of time.

Footprints, that perhaps another,

Sailing o'er life's solemn main,

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us then be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labor and to wait.

It was a beautiful way to end the day, and I thought a beautiful thought to start with also. 

 Leave footprints, my friends, footprints that will encourage those who come later. 

Blessings,