My Favourite Poems
In celebration of World Poetry Day 2025!
1. ‘Desiderata’ by Max Ehrmann (1927)
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
2. ‘Flint’ by Christina Rossetti (1872)
An emerald is as green as grass,
A ruby red as blood;
A sapphire shines as blue as heaven;
A flint lies in the mud.
A diamond is a brilliant stone,
To catch the world's desire;
An opal holds a fiery spark;
But a flint holds fire.
3. I’m Building a Home for Myself’ by Cammie Dennis (2024)
I’m building a home for myself
where doors don’t slam
and people don’t yell
and love is scattered across a kitchen table
that was built with kindness and respect,
I’m building a home for myself
where the floors can be painted yellow
and the tables can be painted blue
and there is no right way to do anything
except to do it with you,
I’m building a home for myself,
that will echo the feelings
that live deep inside my chest
and you will know that
when you step into the rooms
that were built by people
who love one another
with nothing but respect,
I’m building a home for myself
that was made for lovers like me
where there is space for you to be
everything that you’ve always wanted to be.
4. She Walks In Beauty by Lord Byron (1814)
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
5. Thinking by Walter D. Wintle (1905)
If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you’d like to win, but you think you can't,
It is almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost,
For out of the world we find
Success begins with a fellow's will-
It's all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are;
You've got to think high to rise;
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But soon or late the man who wins,
Is the man who thinks he can.
6. Some Time With You by Ciara Healy (2011)
You say my love for you is not real.
But you don’t know how real it feels.
All I want to do is spend some time with you so I can hold you, hold you.
The warden says that I’m no good.
I’d reassure him if I could.
All I want to do is spend some time with you so I can hold you, hold you.
Love me for always.
For I long to hear you say
Your love won’t be leaving.
Your eyes aren’t deceiving.
Fear will soon fade away.
I’ll smile and I won’t be afraid.
All I want to do is spend some time with you so I can hold you.
Let me whisper in your ear.
Don’t you worry they won’t hear.
All I want to do is spend some time with you.
