Forget

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow — a poem card from Justes Mots

A brief exhortation to transcend earthly suffering and corruption by focusing on inner nobility and divine beauty. Despite madness, cruelty, and loss, the speaker finds peace in beauty and the soul's capacity for kingship. Suitable for recovery cards, encouragement during hardship, or celebrating one's inner strength.

Forget all these, the barren fool in power,
The madman in command, the jealous O,
The bitter world biting its bitter hour,
The cruel now, the happy long ago.

Forget all these, for, though they truly hurt,
Even to the soul, they are not lasting things:
Men are no gods; we tread the city dirt,…

Themes: birthday · friendship · encouragement · reflection