Echoing Words

Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.

Amelia Burr
A Song of Living

DO NOT BECOME A CYNIC. That is a sure sign of physical and spiritual atrophy. A disorder that can be readily avoided with regular doses of fresh air, adrenaline, and vast wilderness. This is a reminder to those planners and knowers of things that there is still wonder . Still challenge. Still spaces to climb, bike, and swim beyond the reach of radio waves. For those of you who would seek adventure, take heart; There are yet places that speak to our souls. And to the dim-eyed know-it-alls, they will say this: I HAVE A SURPRISE FOR YOU. Just Do It.

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We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, ‘O me! O life!… of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless… of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?’ Answer. That you are here – that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?

John Keating
“Dead Poets Society”

Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child
Listen to the DON’TS
Listen to the SHOULDN’TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON’TS
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me –
Anything can happen, child
ANYTHING can be.

Shel Silverstein
Where the Sidewalk Ends

We are such stuff
As dreams are made on

William Shakespeare
The Tempest