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Don't Complain
| Open Poetry #2 |
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Don't Complain |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA 
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Here's another of my "new" poems from my late grandmother's collection - You can definitely see a recurring World War II theme in Nana's work. She wrote this one in 1945. by Velma M Carlson (1903-1996) When your days are dark and gloomy, And you're feeling down and blue; Dont give up and let it get you. There's so much that you can do. When you're feeling low in spirit, And it seems the sun won't shine; Don't give up to sit and whine If you feel that you are beaten. You can never win the day. Just say, "I know that I can do it," For where there's will, there's a way. Don't give up and say, "I'm weary - What's the use for me to try?" Scatter sunshine to your neighbor; Don't just sit around and cry. You may not achieve great power, Nor may never rise to fame. Pass a kind word to your neighbor; You'll have just as much to gain. You can help our boys in combat, On the land or far at sea; But you can't if you don't want to - It's really up to you and me. Dont give up and grieve so deeply - It won't help if it's your boy. Many mothers hearts are heavy; Maybe you could bring them joy. Maybe they have greater sorrows, If you but pause and give it thought - If you but think of them more often, It would ease your own a lot. We at home have every comfort - Warmth and food and loving care; And to sit around and grumble, well - It just really isn't fair. Give a broad grin to your neighbor; Help to cheer him, urge him on. Do defense work in your kitchen; Start each morning with a song. Help those lads of ours in service; Keep "Old Glory" waving high - And those clouds which seem so heavy, Hanging o'er you in the sky. Let the sun shine brightly through them; I know you can if you'll but say, "I have been so down and gloomy - But I'm not - I'm not today." "There are things I must accomplish; There's so much that I can do - Look at all the time I've wasted, Just sitting around and feeling blue." "I've had days when I've been weary, Many days when I've been blue. So that's just why I've learned the answers And am passing them along to you." We want to help our boys in service; Help to keep the homes we love - Help to keep "Old Glory" waving, Giving thanks to God, above. ~ 1945 ~ |
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| © Copyright 1999 Nancy Ness - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Beki Senior Member
since 1999-09-15
Posts 1569Newport Beach, CA, USA |
This is beautiful and quite inspiring. Your grandmother wrote this? What a legacy she left you! Is there more here to read? Direct me please :-) ------------------ "We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion.....the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?" --John Keating, Dead Poets Society |
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Pepper Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079Southern Florida |
what a wonderful philosophy of life your Nana possessed, I really enjoy her work Nan. ------------------ May your days be filled with lots of sunshine and your nights lit up by golden moonbeams |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Another treasure!  ------------------ Denise |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Thanks Nan for sharing this. Seems she had a wonderful outlook when things were tough! What an inspiration. |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
What a gift you and your family have, Nan! Inspiring-I love the World War II theme this one has. ------------------ *Elizabeth* "Dwelt a maid belov'd and cherish'd by high and low, But with autumn leaf she perish'd, long time ago..." |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Nan.....I can see you get your talents honestly ------------------ "In the depths of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Thanks all - Your comments are particularly appreciated tonight. As it happens, two of Nana's nieces (one of whom typed all her work for her) are watching the post... |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Gosh! This is wonderful! Do you know if she ever had anything published? Incredible talent and more incredible since it's been obviously passed down to you!  |
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Isis Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-06
Posts 6296Sunny Queensland |
A beautiful piece, having written it in 1945 makes no difference, it is still so relevant today. Wise words from a wise woman, she must have been a wonderful person. And nice to see the flair for poetry can run on down through the generations. Thanks for sharing it with us.. ------------------ Words that enlighten the soul are more precious than jewels. ~Isis~ |
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