Are you looking for short inspirational poems that will positively impact your life? You have come to the right place!
These inspiring poems share hope, encouragement, strength, and perseverance. They help build your mental capacity and encourage mental growth.
We all know the power of words. Words can have a massive influence on us. But the connection is much deeper with poems. Poems keep you hooked and engaged. They touch a part of you that mere words can’t.
I decided to handpick these inspiring poems for my dear audience. I want you all to have something to refuel your mental energy and give you courage in your lowest moments. Check them out below.
1. Catherine Pulsifer Looking For Happiness Poem:
“Many people are looking for,
Happiness behind any door,
Happiness they want to find,
Happiness of any kind.
Happiness is not something outside,
Your happiness is not down the road,
And, it doesn’t mean an easy load.
Happiness is found in you,
How you look at life and what you do,
You decide each day, you see,
How happy you will be.”
2. Rupi Kaur’s I Am Water Poem:
“Soft enough
to offer life
tough enough
to drown it Away.”
3. Sing A Song – Source Unknown
“If you’ll sing a song as you go along,
In the face of a real or a fancied wrong;
If, in spite of the doubt, you will fight it out
And show a heart that is brave and stout;
If you’ll laugh at the jeers and refuse the tears,
You’ll force the ever reluctant cheers
That the world denies when a coward cries
And gives to the man who bravely tries, —
And you’ll win success with a little song.
If you’ll sing the song as you go along.
If you’ll sing a song as you go along,
You’ll find that the singing will make you strong.
And the heavy load and the rugged road.
And the sting and the strife of the torturous goad
Will soar with the note that you set afloat,
That the beam will change to a trifling moat, —
That the world is sad when you are sad.
And bright and beautiful when you are glad;
And that all you need is a little song.
If you’ll sing the song as you trudge along.”
4. David V. Bush’s Stick to It Poem:
“When your plans have gone awry,
Things will straighten if you try.
When perplexed just what to do,
Sand and grit will help you through.
Let this be your final clue —
Stick to it!
When your schemes have taken wings,
Vict’ry comes to him who sings.
When your project’s wrecked and smashed;
Plans by hostile critics lashed;
And you feel your spirit thrashed,
Stick to it!
When your back is nearly broke,
Race is won by ONE MORE stroke —
Lost your rudder in the gale;
Seems that you are bound to fail?
Storm-clouds clear; misfortunes pale —
Stick to it!”
5. Luck – Source Unknown:
“What we call Luck
Is simply Pluck,
And doing things over and over;
Courage and will,
Perseverance and skill –
Are the four leaves of Luck’s clover.”
6. William Ernest Henley’s Invictus Poem:
“Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.”
7. Sarah K. Bolton’s Now Is The Time Poem:
“Now is the time to love, and, better still,
To serve our loved ones, over passing ill
To rise triumphant; thus the perfect flower
Of life shall come to fruitage: wealth amass
For grandest giving ere the time be gone.
Be glad to-day, to-morrow may bring tears;
Be brave to-day, the darkest night will pass,
And golden rays will usher in the dawn:
Who conquers now shall rule the coming years.”
8. Robert R. Rivers’ Think Beyond The Past Poem:
“The old things occurring in the past
Oh so painful, you ask, will they last?
The times before oft times you wouldn’t think
But these things, it seems, go by in a blink.
Oh, now what shall I think
Will I ever be beyond the brink?
Will I go on as I have before
Or, will I be forever cast ashore?
Is there any hope to be seen;
Is there happier times to think?
Shall I not ever venture forth again,
Beyond the shores to make some gain?
Do not be full of fear I think,
But is this not foolhardy like frothy drink?
Oh so sad, I think, that this may be so
To never think past my worried woes.
It is not, I think, to be so mired
In all those things as past desires.
I know that life is not so cast
That I should think of all things past.
For in the morning, does not the sun align,
That I might not think of more things to shine?
Be not dismayed when I define
The world to show is still refined.
Now I see far past my pain
There is more to life than to abstain.
To think that I might not have grasped
All that, I want, I saw at last.”
9. Julie Hebert’s Be You No Matter Who Poem:
“There are people out there,
Who believe it’s their right.
To tear others down,
And take away their light.
These people are mean,
And troubled all their own.
But they do not have the right,
To take away your throne.
So stand up tall,
And flutter those wings.
Never allow others to,
Take away your springs.
Be cheerful and happy,
Be lovely and chatty.
As no one can change you,
Unless you allow it.”
10. Julie Herbert’s Two Days of Every Week Poem:
“That might seem a little blurry.
There are two days of every week,
That we should all not worry.
Some of us tend to worry,
every single day.
But there are two days of the week,
that we should instead pray.
Today is the day that we,
will live out and choose our route.
But tomorrow or yesterday,
are either done or not played out.
So these two days we should reserve,
for only happy thoughts.
Worrying is never good,
we should try and disconnect the dots.
Yesterday has already passed,
with all its past mistakes.
There is no point to worrying,
mistakes are part of life’s stakes.
Tomorrow hasn’t even come,
to worry would be a waste.
Why spend so much energy,
and possibly change how tomorrow is faced.
Worrying can do much more,
than any of us see.
We know we can’t change the past,
but the future we can lead.
So don’t allow yourself to worry,
about things that have passed.
And don’t allow yourself to worry,
about things that haven’t even past.”
11. Anna Voelker’s Bloom Poem:
“I want to tell you
about the sunflower I found
on the sidewalk yesterday.
It is wilting and curled and gorgeous
and knows it.
I want to age like that,
never forgetting my own beauty,
never forgetting how to say bloom”
12. J.J Thorne’s The Pure In Heart Will Meet Again Poem:
“We all some day must part,
And death we Cannot abstain;
The pure in heart
Will meet again.
Not take love and human life,
As did revengeful Cain,
The pure in heart
Will meet again.
A generous heart is filled with love,
No goodness to disdain,
The pure in heart
Will meet again.
Piety and a good conscience
Makes our whole lives fain.
The pure in heart
Shall meet again.
Perversion and intemperance
Have made many minds insane.
The pure in heart
Shall meet again.
Let us live in peace and harmony
With filial love and compassion of pain.
The pure in heart
Shall meet again.
Let the dictates of our conscience
Over temptation reign.
The pure in heart
Shall meet again.
If we do as we wish to be done by
Our lives will leave no stain.
The pure in heart
Shall meet again.
Love places humanity in despair
And pleasure it does obtain.
The pure in heart
Shall meet again.
Let’s do all within our power
That we may not fall in vain.
The pure in heart
Shall meet again.”
13. Henry Van Dyke’s A Home Song Poem:
“I turned an ancient poet’s book,
And found upon the page:
“Stone walls do not a prison make,
Nor iron bars a cage.”
Yes, that is true, and something more:
You’ll find, where’er you roam,
That marble floors and gilded walls
Can never make a home.
But every house where Love abides,
And Friendship is the guest,
Is surely home, and home, sweet home,
For there the heart can rest.”
14. Josh Ruskin’s Make Men Happy Poem:
“To watch the corn grow, or the blossoms set;
To draw hard breath over plowshare or spade;
To read, to think, to love, to pray, –
These are the things
That makes men happy.”
15. David V. Bush’s No Bad Weather Poem:
“The sunshine comes to bless and heal,
Yet some will cry “Too hot!”
It all depends on how you feel,
And on your kind of thought.
Refreshingly descends the rain,
But some dislike the wet;
Whether you find it joy or pain,
Is as your heart is set.
The wind has magic in its breath.
But some to this are blind;
It brings you songs of life or death
According to your mind.
So there’s no weather truly bad,
If mortals only knew it;
Each kind in its own boons is clad –
It’s only how you view it!”
16. Shine – Source Unknown:
“Life is something we all share,
Just like oxygen in the air.
The way we live it, is up to us,
With a negative or with a plus.
Life is something we should cherish,
We never know when we’ll perish.
Live each and every single day,
Smell the flowers, stop and play.
Life is something we’ve been blessed,
Choice is yours; choose your quest.
Follow your passions, and you’ll be fine,
With the right attitude, you will shine.”
17. Abimbola T. Alabi’s Unique:
“Because I know who I am,
I’m at ease and free.
I can’t be like others,
And they can’t be me.
I’ve got fading scars,
An unusual physique,
But it all works together
To make me unique.
I’ve got hidden strengths,
Some obvious flaws.
Still I am who I am,
For better, for worse.
I don’t have to blend in;
I won’t live a lie.
I can’t please everyone;
I won’t even try.
Some call me proud;
Others stare at me in alarm.
But I’m not one to bother,
Because I know who I am.”
18. Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe’s Perseverance Inspirational Poem:
“We must not hope to be mowers,
And to gather the ripe, golden ears,
Unless we have first been sowers,
And watered the flowers with tears.
It is not just as we take it,
This wonderful world of ours
Life’s field will yield as we make it
A harvest of thorns or of flowers.”
19. William Wordsworth’s Ode to Duty Poem:
Stern Daughter of the Voice of God!
O Duty! if that name thou love
Who art a light to guide, a rod
To check the erring, and reprove;
Thou, who art victory and law
When empty terrors overawe;
From vain temptations dost set free;
And calm’st the weary strife of frail humanity!
There are who ask not if thine eye
Be on them; who, in love and truth,
Where no misgiving is, rely
Upon the genial sense of youth:
Glad Hearts! without reproach or blot;
Who do thy work, and know it not:
Oh! if through confidence misplaced
They fail, thy saving arms, dread Power! around them cast.”
20. Susan Coolidge’s Unity Inspirational Poem:
“If I were told that I must die to-morrow,
That the next sun
Which sinks should bear one past all fear and sorrow
For anyone,
All the fight fought, all the short journey through:
What should I do?
I do not think that I should shrink or falter,
But just go on,
Doing my work, nor change, nor seek to alter
Aught that is gone;
But rise and move and love and smile and pray
For one more day.”
21. George L. Perin’s Throughout the Year’s Poem:
“Throughout the year, why not keep sweet?
No frown ever made a heart glad;
No complaint ever made a dark day bright;
No bitter word ever lightened a burden or made a rough road smooth;
No grumbling ever introduced sunshine into a home.
What the world needs is the resolute step,
The look of cheer,
The smiling countenance,
And the kindly word.”
22. Catherine Pulsifer’s Struggles Come Your Way Poem:
“Just because struggles come your way
Doesn’t mean it can ruin your day
The good and the bad are a way of life
Don’t get down; move beyond the strife.
We must live life, taking things in stride
Helping each other, stoping any divide
Life is better when we support and love
And that is what’s expected from above.
You see, we were given choices to make
We are not robots; we are not fake
So if you’re faced with a trial or two
Don’t give up; let others help you through.”
23. Henry Van Dyke’s Time Is Inspirational Poem For You
“Time is
Too Slow for those who Wait,
Too Swift for those who Fear,
Too Long for those who Grieve,
Too Short for those who Rejoice;
But for those who Love,
Time is not.”
24. Amber Lynn Revis’ Morning Coffee Poem For Inspiration:
“Dark dark, swirl in the white,
Mix in the morning,
Fade out the night.
Sugar cream, coffee bean,
Eyes start to blinking,
End the last dream.
Dark dark, swirl in the white
Fresh day brewing
On hot sunlight.”
25. John Imrie’s Life’s Progress Poem For Motivation:
“Down the mountains, down the hills,
Trickling on for ever;
Gentle springs make little rills,
Little rills the river.
Rivers rolling to the sea.
Lose themselves in ocean,
Bearing on their bosoms free
Noble ships in motion.
Such is life, a constant change,
Still from small to greater;
Let us learn the lesson strange
Taught by our Creator:
Life is giv’n for noble ends,
Lofty thoughts and actions,
Winning to our bosom — friends
Gain’d in life’s transactions.
Ah! soon we’ll reach life’s ocean strand,
Just like the mighty river,
Safe in the hollow of that Hand
Which holds the seas for ever.”
26. Sarojini Naidu’s Life Inspirational Poem:
“CHILDREN, ye have not lived, to you, it seems
Life is a lovely stalactite of dreams,
Or carnival of careless joys that leap
About your hearts like billows on the deep
In flames of amber and of amethyst.
Children, ye have not lived, ye but exist
Till some resistless hour shall rise and move
Your hearts to wake and hunger after love,
And thirst with passionate longing for the things
That burns your brows with blood-red sufferings.
Till ye have battled with great grief and fears,
And borne the conflict of dream-shattering years,
Wounded with fierce desire and worn with strife,
Children, ye have not lived: for this is life.”
27. Paint Your Life – Source Unknown:
“Life is like a piece of art,
It requires lots of heart.
Choose your paint and your brush,
Take your time, avoid the rush.
Before you paint, choose your theme,
Don’t be afraid to follow your dream.
It’s alright to make a mistake.
Your painting is real; it’s not fake.
Look at your painting, don’t be crying,
Begin again; keep on trying.
Your painting is never fully complete,
Enjoy the process; make sure it’s sweet.”
28. Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself:
“I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
I loafe and invite my soul,
I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass,
My tongue, every atom of my blood, form’d from this soil, this air,
Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same,
I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin,
Hoping to cease not till death.
Creeds and schools in abeyance,
Retiring back a while sufficed at what they are, but never forgotten,
I harbor for good or bad, I permit to speak at every hazard,
Nature without check with original energy.”
29. Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken Inspirational Poem:
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves, no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
30. Berton Braley’s Start Where You Stand
“Start where you stand and never mind the past,
The past won’t help you in beginning new,
If you have left it all behind at last
Why, that’s enough, you’re done with it, you’re through;
This is another chapter in the book,
This is another race that you have planned,
Don’t give the vanished days a backward look,
Start where you stand.”
31. Alice Walker’s Before I Leave The Stage:
Before I leave the stage
I will sing the only song
I was meant truly to sing.
It is the song
of I AM.
Yes: I am Me
&
You.
WE ARE.
I love Us with every drop
of our blood
every atom of our cells
our waving particles
-undaunted flags of our Being-
neither here nor there.
32. Sylvia Plath’s Ariel:
“Stasis in darkness.
Then the substanceless blue
Pour of tor and distances.
God’s lioness,
How one we grow,
Pivot of heels and knees!—The furrow.”
33. Sir Walter Raleigh’s Life Inspirational Poem:
“What is our life? A play of passion,
Our mirth the music of division,
Our mother’s wombs the tiring-houses be,
Where we are dressed for this short comedy.
Heaven the judicious sharp spectator is,
That sits and marks still who doth act amiss.
Our graves that hide us from the setting sun
Are like drawn curtains when the play is done.
Thus march we, playing, to our latest rest,
Only we die in earnest; that’s no jest.”
34. Time Is Swift – Source Unknown
“Pluck the rose while blooming;
Now ’tis fresh and bright;
Wait not till to-morrow;
Time is swift in flight.
Do thy deeds of kindness.
Ere to-morrow’s light;
What may come, we know not;
Time is swift in flight.
Would’st thou makes life useful.
Work before ’tis night;
Else thou’llt be regretting.
Time is swift in flight.”
35. Robert William Service’s My Inner Life Inspirational Poem:
‘Tis true my garments threadbare are,
And sorry poor I seem;
But only I am richer far
Than any poet’s dream.
For I’ve a hidden life no one
Can ever hope to see;
A sacred sanctuary none
May share with me.
Aloof I stand from out the strife,
Within my heart a song;
By virtue of my inner life
I to myself belong.
Against man-ruling, I rebel,
Yet do not fear defeat,
For to my secret citadel
I may retreat.
Oh, you who have an inner life
Beyond this dismal day
With wars and evil rumors rife,
Go blessedly your way.
Your refuge hold inviolate;
Unto yourself be true,
And shield serene from sordid fate
The Real You.”
36. Shilow’s No Matter What Happens Poem
“I have no expectations
only control of how I want to feel
so no matter what happens
I know I will have a great time.”
37. Catherine Pulsifer’s When Does Life Begin Inspirational Poem:
“Does life begin when you obtain more things?
Or does life begin when you make big earnings?
Does life begin when tomorrow dawns
Or does tomorrow just make you yawn?
The only life we have to live
Is today the day we have to give
Don’t wait for a certain thing
For happiness to bring.
Live each day and live it full
Don’t waste it and be a fool
Begin each day and be thankful for
All that the day has in store!”
38. Bumpy Ride – Source Unknown
“Life has many ups and downs,
Loving smiles and also frowns.
Good events and some are bad,
Happy emotions, others mad.
It can be a bumpy ride,
How you handle it, you decide!”
39. Christina Rossetti’s Later Life Inspirational Poem:
“Something this foggy day, a something which
Is neither of this fog nor of today,
Has set me dreaming of the winds that play
Past certain cliffs, along one certain beach,
And turn the topmost edge of waves to spray:
Ah, pleasant pebbly strand so far away,
So out of reach while quite within my reach,
As out of reach as India or Cathay!
I am sick of where I am and where I am not,
I am sick of foresight and of memory,
I am sick of all I have and all I see,
I am sick of self, and there is nothing new;
Oh, weary impatient patience of my lot!
Thus with myself: how fares it, Friends, with you?”
40. Langston Hughes’ Hope Inspirational Poem:
“Sometimes when I’m lonely,
Don’t know why,
Keep thinkin’ I won’t be lonely
By and by.”
41. Wilhelmina Stitch’s The Happiest Age Inspirational Poem:
“What age is happiest? Had you asked me,
I would have made this plea: the Now is best.
What joy to live with zest each newborn day;
and from the Moment, wrest what Life will give away.
The Past is but a guest who came and went
and left this one behest: to be content.
Think how To-day is blest!
We’ve eyes to see Nature in Beauty drest for you, for me.
What matters that the crest of Youth is past.
Youth lives within the breast with joys that last.
The will to do our best, and hands for giving.
Oh! Now’s the happiest, best time for living!
What age is happiest?
Oh! hear my vow, for I have put the test—the happiest’s Now.
Sweet sighs and kindly jest for warmth and cheer; and
Love’s most high bequest to crown the year.”
42. Fannie Griffin’s Communion Poem:
“The moon dissolves,
A communion wafer
On the tongue of morning.
The sun melts,
Fresh butter spread
On noonday bread.
Evening tips the cup,
Rose, burgundy, and gold.
Refreshment for the soul.”
43. Catherine Pulsifer’s Move Past This Inspirational Poem:
“When you are feeling down
And all you can muster up is a frown
That is the time to stop
And count your blessings until you drop.
Focus on all of life’s good
And you will find things work out as they should
Feeling sorry and just sitting around
It is a sure thing to bring you down.
Take some action, make a move.
It doesn’t matter if others approve.
Nothing lasts forever
You will move past this if you endeavor!”
44. It Takes Courage – Source Unknown:
“It takes strength to be firm,
It takes courage to be gentle.
It takes strength to conquer,
It takes courage to surrender.
It takes strength to be certain,
It takes courage to have doubt.
It takes strength to fit in,
It takes courage to stand out.
It takes strength to feel a friend’s pain,
It takes courage to feel your own pain.
It takes strength to endure abuse,
It takes courage to stop it.
It takes strength to stand alone,
It takes courage to lean on another.
It takes strength to love,
It takes courage to be loved.
It takes strength to survive,
It takes courage to live.”
45. Shawnee Kellie’s One Inspirational Poem:
“One word can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream;
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald Spring.
One smile can bring a friendship,
One handclasp can lift a soul;
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One cheer can obtain a goal.
One vote can change a Nation,
One sunbeam can lift a room;
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One look can change two lives;
One kiss can make love bloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer;
One hope can raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what’s true;
One life can make a difference,
One life is me and you….”
46. Rupi Kaur’s Being Independent
“I do not want to have you
To fill the empty parts of me.
I want to be full on my own.
I want to be so complete
I could light a whole city
And then
I want to have you
Cause the two of us combined
Could set it on fire.”
47. Edgar A. Guest’s The Simple Things Inspirational Poem:
“I would not be too wise–so very wise
That I must sneer at simple songs and creeds,
And let the glare of wisdom blind my eyes
To humble people and their humble needs.
I would not care to climb so high that I
Could never hear the children at their play,
Could only see the people passing by,
And never hear the cheering words they say.
I would not know too much–too much to smile
At trivial errors of the heart and hand,
Nor be too proud to play the friend the while,
Nor cease to help and know and understand.
I would not care to sit upon a throne,
Or build my house upon a mountain-top,
Where I must dwell in glory all alone
And never friend come in or poor man stop.
God grant that I may live upon this earth
And face the tasks which every morning brings
And never lose the glory and the worth
Of humble service and the simple things.”
48. Life Still Has A Meaning Inspirational Poem – Source Unknown
“If there is a future there is time for mending-
Time to see your troubles coming to an ending.
Life is never hopeless however great your sorrow-
If you’re looking forward to a new tomorrow.
If there is time for wishing then there is time for hoping-
When through doubt and darkness you are blindly groping.
Though the heart be heavy and hurt you may be feeling-
If there is time for praying there is time for healing.
So if through your window there is a new day breaking-
Thank God for the promise, though mind and soul be aching,
If with harvest over there is grain enough for gleaning-
There is a new tomorrow and life still has meaning.”
49. Berton Braley’s Hope In The Morning Inspirational Poem:
“With doubt and dismay you are smitten
You think there’s no chance for you, son?
Why, the best books haven’t been written
The best race hasn’t been run,
The best score hasn’t been made yet,
The best song hasn’t been sung,
The best tune hasn’t been played yet,
Cheer up, for the world is young!
No chance? Why the world is just eager
For things that you ought to create
Its store of true wealth is still meagre
Its needs are incessant and great,
It yearns for more power and beauty
More laughter and love and romance,
More loyalty, labor and duty,
No chance–why there’s nothing but chance!
For the best verse hasn’t been rhymed yet,
The best house hasn’t been planned,
The highest peak hasn’t been climbed yet,
The mightiest rivers aren’t spanned,
Don’t worry and fret, faint hearted,
The chances have just begun,
For the Best jobs haven’t been started,
The Best work hasn’t been done.”
50. Strickland W. Gillilan’s Keep Sweet Inspirational Poem:
“Don’t be foolish and get sour when things don’t just come your way–
Don’t you be a pampered baby and declare, “Now I won’t play!”
Just go grinning on and bear it;
Have you heartache? Millions share it,
If you earn a crown, you’ll wear it–
Keep sweet.
Don’t go handing out your troubles to your busy fellow-men–
If you whine around they’ll try to keep from meeting you again;
Don’t declare the world’s “agin” you,
Don’t let pessimism win you,
Prove there’s lots of good stuff in you–
Keep sweet.
If your dearest hopes seem blighted and despair looms into view,
Set your jaw and whisper grimly, “Though they’re false, yet I’ll be true.”
Never let your heart grow bitter;
With your lips to Hope’s transmitter,
Hear Love’s songbirds bravely twitter,
“Keep sweet.”
Bless your heart, this world’s a good one, and will always help a man;
Hate, misanthropy, and malice have no place in Nature’s plan.
Help your brother there who’s sighing.
Keep his flag of courage flying;
Help him try–’twill keep you trying–
Keep sweet.”
51. Brooke Hampton’s I’m Busy Inspirational Poem:
“I’m busy;
but not in the way
most people accept.
I’m busy calming my fear
and finding my courage.
I’m busy listening to my kids.
I’m busy getting in touch
with what is real.
I’m busy growing things and
connecting with the natural world.
I’m busy questioning my answers.
I’m busy being present in my life.”
52. Edgar A. Guest’s Looking Back Inspirational Poem:
“I might have been rich if I’d wanted the gold
instead of the friendships I’ve made.
I might have had fame if I’d sought for renown
in the hours when I purposely played.
Now I’m standing to-day on the far edge of life,
and I’m just looking backward to see
What I’ve done with the years and the days that were mine,
and all that has happened to me.
I haven’t built much of a fortune to leave
to those who shall carry my name,
And nothing I’ve done shall entitle me now
to a place on the tablets of fame.
But I’ve loved the great sky and its spaces of blue;
I’ve lived with the birds and the trees;
I’ve turned from the splendor of silver and gold
to share in such pleasures as these.
I’ve given my time to the children who came;
together we’ve romped and we’ve played,
And I wouldn’t exchange the glad hours spent
with them for the money that I might have made.
I chose to be known and be loved by the few,
and was deaf to the plaudits of men;
And I’d make the same choice should the chance
come to me to live my life over again.
I’ve lived with my friends and I’ve shared in their joys,
known sorrow with all of its tears;
I have harvested much from my acres of life,
though some say I’ve squandered my years.
For much that is fine has been mine to enjoy,
and I think I have lived to my best,
And I have no regret, as I’m nearing the end,
for the gold that I might have possessed.”
53. Anna Jonson’s Life Is Love, And Love Is Life Inspirational Poem:
“Life is life; however it would go
love is love, no matter what would occur
love is growing more with every hearts beat
feelings of my heart could never change
love is life, life is love
you can enjoy them as much as you want…”
54. Emily Dickinson’s Hope is the thing with feathers Inspirational Poem
“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I’ve heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.”
55. Jessie B. Rittenhouse’s My Wage Poem:
“I bargained with Life for a penny,
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store;
For Life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.
I worked for a menial’s hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have paid.”
56. Langston Hughes’s Dreams Inspirational Poem:
“Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.”
57. Emily Dickinson’s “If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking” Poem:
“If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.”
58. Oriah Mountain Dreamer’s The Invitation Inspirational Poem:
“It doesn’t interest me
what you do for a living.
I want to know
what you ache for
and if you dare to dream
of meeting your heart’s longing.
It doesn’t interest me
how old you are.
I want to know
if you will risk
looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.
It doesnt interest me
what planets are
squaring your moon…
I want to know
if you have touched
the centre of your own sorrow
if have been opened
by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.
I want to know
if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.
I want to know
if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you
to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations
of being human.
It doesn’t interest me
if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear
the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.
I want to know
if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”
It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live
or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.
It doesn’t interest me
who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.
It doesn’t interest me
where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know
what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.
I want to know
if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like
the company you keep
in the empty moments.”
59. Rudyard Kipling’s ‘If’ Inspirational Poem:
“If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build’em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my son!”
60. Edgar A. Guest’s Don’t Quit Poem:
“When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low but the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit…
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit!
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many failures turn about
When we might have won had we stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow…
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out…
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far.
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.”
61. Jessie B. Rittenhouse’s Windows Short Inspirational Poem
“I looked through others’ windows
On an enchanted earth
But out of my own window–
solitude and dearth.
And yet there is a mystery
I cannot understand–
That others through my window
See an enchanted land.”
62. Kate Summers’ Keep Going Inspirational Poem:
“When failures come – keep going.
When you feel like giving up – keep going
When people mock your idea – keep going
When challenges you face – keep going
When mistakes are made, learn – but keep going
Because perseverance just keeps going!”
63. Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata Inspirational Poem To Cheer You Up:
“Go placidly amid the noise and 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 the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and 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 with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.”
64. Derek Walcott’s Love After Love Inspirational Poem:
“The time will come
when, with elation,
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror,
and each will smile at the other’s welcome,
And say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was yourself.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.”
65. Rumi’s The Guest House Poem To Inspire You
“This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.”
66. Ha Jin’s A Center Inspiring Poem
“You must hold your quiet center,
where you do what only you can do.
If others call you a maniac or a fool,
just let them wag their tongues.
If some praise your perseverance,
don’t feel too happy about it—
only solitude is a lasting friend.
You must hold your distant center.
Don’t move even if earth and heaven quake.
If others think you are insignificant,
that’s because you haven’t held on long enough.
As long as you stay put year after year,
eventually you will find a world
beginning to revolve around you.”
67. Kelly Roper’s Family Means Different Things Inspirational Poem:
“Family means different things to different people.
To some, family means mom, dad, and the kids.
To others, family means single parents doing the job of two to make a home.
To some, family means living with grandparents too.
To others, family is the aunt or uncle who has stepped up to fill in for parents.
To some, family means two moms or two dads growing a family together.
To others, family means two people multiplying their love through adoption.
To some, family is limited to blood relations.
To others, family includes friends who are there through thick and thin.
To some, family is all about the people in their lives.
To others, pets are considered family members too.
Yes, family means different things to different people,
But every family has one thing in common, and that’s love.”
68. Christina Rossetti’s “What Are Heavy” Powerful Poem:
“What are heavy? Sea-sand and sorrow;
What are brief? Today and tomorrow;
What are frail? Spring blossoms and youth;
What are deep? The ocean and truth.”
69. Maya Angelou’s Phenomenal Woman Inspirational Poem
“I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.”
70. Douglas Malloch’s “Good Timber” Inspirational Poem:
“The tree that never had to fight
For sun and sky and air and light,
But stood out in the open plain
And always got its share of rain,
Never became a forest king
But lived and died a scrubby thing.
The man who never had to toil
To gain and farm his patch of soil,
Who never had to win his share
Of sun and sky and light and air,
Never became a manly man
But lived and died as he began.
Good timber does not grow with ease,
The stronger wind, the stronger trees,
The further sky, the greater length,
The more the storm, the more the strength.
By sun and cold, by rain and snow,
In trees and men good timbers grow.
Where thickest lies the forest growth
We find the patriarchs of both.
And they hold counsel with the stars
Whose broken branches show the scars
Of many winds and much of strife.
This is the common law of life.”
71. Michael Gale’s Love Love Love – Thank God Inspirational Poem:
“Love, love, love…
Thanks goes to the all mighty one from up above.
You’ve brought my mate just to my side…
You’ve led the spiritual path for your son’s holy guided stride.
He gave up his life for your good; holy loved, wide spread word…
Many people were forgiven,
of this fact forgiven ex-sinners have world widely heard.
Fate united me to my bride…
Cupid’s arrow gave me such a wonderful wild, crazy ride.
Thank God…
Amen!”
72. Walter D. Wintle’s Thinking Inspirational Poem:
“If you think you are beaten, you are
If you think you dare not, you don’t,
If you like to win, but you think you can’t
It is almost certain 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!”
73. Anne Sexton’s Small Wire Poem To Inspire You:
“My faith
is a great weight
hung on a small wire,
as doth the spider
hang her baby on a thin web,
as doth the vine,
twiggy and wooden,
hold up grapes
like eyeballs,
as many angels
dance on the head of a pin.
God does not need
too much wire to keep Him there,
just a thin vein,
with blood pushing back and forth in it,
and some love.
As it has been said:
Love and a cough
cannot be concealed.
Even a small cough.
Even a small love.
So if you have only a thin wire,
God does not mind.
He will enter your hands
as easily as ten cents used to
bring forth a Coke.”
74. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s A Psalm Of Life Poem
“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 to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.
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 like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its 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.”
75. Rabindranath Tagore’s Ekla Chalo Re’
“If they answer not to thy call walk alone
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
If they turn away, and desert you when crossing the wilderness,
O thou unlucky one,
trample the thorns under thy tread,
and along the blood-lined track travel alone.
If they do not hold up the light when the night is troubled with storm,
O thou unlucky one,
with the thunder flame of pain ignite thy own heart,
and let it burn alone.”
76. Edgar Guest’s It Couldn’t Be Done Poem To Inspire You:
“Somebody said that it couldn’t be done
But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it!
Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it;”
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.
There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure,
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.”
77. Shara McCallum’s The Art Room Poem For Inspiration:
“Because we did not have threads
of turquoise, silver, and gold,
we could not sew a sun nor sky.
And our hands became balls of fire.
And our arms spread open like wings.
Because we had no chalk or pastels,
no toad, forest, or morning-grass slats
of paper, we had no colour
for creatures. So we squatted
and sprang, squatted and sprang.
Four young girls, plaits heavy
on our backs, our feet were beating
drums, drawing rhythms from the floor;
our mouths became woodwinds;
our tongues touched teeth and were reeds.”
78. Helen Steiner Rice’s Help Yourself To Happiness Poem To Inspire You Today:
“Difficult because we think that happiness is found
Only in the places where wealth and fame abound.
And so we go on searching in palaces of pleasure
Seeking recognition and monetary treasure,
Unaware that happiness is just a state of mind
Within the reach of everyone who takes time to be kind.
For in making others happy we will be happy, too.
For the happiness you give away returns to shine on you.”
79. Marianne Williamson’s Our Deepest Fear Poem For Inspiration:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.
We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small
Does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine,
As children do.
We were born to make manifest
The glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us;
It’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we’re liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.”
80. Maya Angelou’s Still I Rise Poem For Inspiration:
“You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.”
81. Gabrielle Calvocoressi’s At Last the New Arriving
“ Like the horn you played in Catholic school
the city will open its mouth and cry out.
Don’t worry ’bout nothing. Don’t mean
no thing. It will leave you stunned
as a fighter with his eyes swelled shut
who’s told he won the whole damn purse.
It will feel better than any floor
that’s risen up to meet you. It will rise
like Easter bread, golden and familiar
in your grandmother’s hands. She’ll come back,
heaven having been too far from home
to hold her. O it will be beautiful.
Every girl will ask you to dance and the boys
won’t kill you for it. Shake your head.
Dance until your bones clatter. What a prize
you are. What a lucky sack of stars.”
82. Ella Wheeler Wilcox’s “As You Go Through Life” Poem
“Don’t look for the flaws as you go through life;
And even when you find them,
It is wise and kind to be somewhat blind
And look for the virtue behind them.
For the cloudiest night has a hint of light
Somewhere in its shadows hiding;
It is better by far to hunt for a star,
Than the spots on the sun abiding.
The current of life runs ever away
To the bosom of God’s great ocean.
Don’t set your force ‘gainst the river’s course
And think to alter its motion.
Don’t waste a curse on the universe–
Remember it lived before you.
Don’t butt at the storm with your puny form,
But bend and let it go over you.
The world will never adjust itself
To suit your whims to the letter.
Some things must go wrong your whole life long,
And the sooner you know it the better.
It is folly to fight with the Infinite,
And go under at last in the wrestle;
The wiser man shapes into God’s plan
As water shapes into a vessel.”
83. Edgar Allan Poe’s “A Dream Within A Dream” Poem
“Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow-
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.
I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand-
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep- while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?”
84. Zoe Howarth’s “Behind My Mask” Poem:
“They think they know me all so well,
But behind this mask I secretly dwell.
I hide my thoughts, my feelings too,
I hide so well from all of you.
I smile away the tears that fall,
I show no sign of weakness at all.
I hide behind an empty screen,
I’m different inside, not what I seem.
My hurt and tears get locked away,
And forever behind this mask they’ll stay.
No matter how hard they try to escape,
I’ll hide away all my mistakes.
I hide me well, every day,
Forever in disguise I’ll stay.
I’ll smile away the tears that fall,
I’ll show no sign of weakness at all.”
85. Joaquin Miller “Columbus” Poem:
Behind him lay the gray Azores,
Behind the Gates of Hercules;
Before him not the ghost of shores,
Before him only shoreless seas.
The good mate said: “Now must we pray,
For lo! the very stars are gone.
Brave Admiral, speak, what shall I say?”
“Why, say, ‘Sail on! sail on! and on!’”
“My men grow mutinous day by day;
My men grow ghastly wan and weak.”
The stout mate thought of home; a spray
Of salt wave washed his swarthy cheek.
“What shall I say, brave Admiral, say,
If we sight naught but seas at dawn?”
“Why, you shall say at break of day,
‘Sail on! sail on! sail on! and on!’”
They sailed and sailed, as winds might blow,
Until at last the blanched mate said:
“Why, now not even God would know
Should I and all my men fall dead.
These very winds forget their way,
For God from these dread seas is gone.
Now speak, brave Admiral, speak and say”—
He said: “Sail on! sail on! and on!”
They sailed. They sailed. Then spake the mate:
“This mad sea shows his teeth to-night.
He curls his lip, he lies in wait,
With lifted teeth, as if to bite!
Brave Admiral, say but one good word:
What shall we do when hope is gone?”
The words leapt like a leaping sword:
“Sail on! sail on! sail on! and on!”
Then, pale and worn, he kept his deck,
And peered through darkness. Ah, that night
Of all dark nights! And then a speck—
A light! A light! A light! A light!
It grew, a starlit flag unfurled!
It grew to be Time’s burst of dawn.
He gained a world; he gave that world
Its grandest lesson: “On! sail on!”
86. Rabindranath Tagore’s Ekla Chalo Re
“If they answer not to thy call walk alone
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one,
open thy mind and speak out alone.
If they turn away, and desert you when crossing the wilderness,
O thou unlucky one,
trample the thorns under thy tread,
and along the blood-lined track travel alone.
If they do not hold up the light when the night is troubled with storm,
O thou unlucky one,
with the thunder flame of pain ignite thy own heart,
and let it burn alone.”
87. Mong-Lan’s Elegy Powerful Inspirational Poem:
“& what if hope crashes through the door what if
that lasts a somersault?
hope for serendipity
even if a series of meals were all between us
even if the aeons lined up out
of order
what are years if not measured by trees”
88. Shivam Suchak’s One Inspirational Poem:
“One thing can change the world.
One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream;
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald Spring.
One smile can bring a friendship,
One handclasp can lift a soul;
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One cheer can obtain a goal.
One vote can change a Nation,
One sunbeam can lift a room;
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One look can change two lives;
One kiss can make love bloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer;
One hope can raise our spirits,
One-touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what’s true;
One life can make a difference,
One life is me and you….”
89. Joseph Morris’ A Lesson From History Inspirational Poem:
“Everything’s easy after it’s done;
Every battle’s a “cinch” that’s won;
Every problem is clear that’s solved–
The earth was round when it _revolved!_
But Washington stood amid grave doubt
With enemy forces camped about;
He could not know how he would fare
Till _after_ he’d crossed the Delaware.
Though the river was full of ice
He did not think about it twice,
But started across in the dead of night,
The enemy waiting to open the fight.
Likely feeling pretty blue,
Being human, same as you,
But he was brave amid despair,
And Washington crossed the Delaware!
So when you’re with trouble beset,
And your spirits are soaking wet,
When all the sky with clouds is black,
Don’t lie down upon your back
And look at _them_. Just do the thing;
Though you are choked, still try to sing.
If times are dark, believe them fair,
And you will cross the Delaware!”
90. Howard Simon’s I Choose The Mountain Inspirational Poem:
“The low lands call
I am tempted to answer
They are offering me a free dwelling
Without having to conquer
The massive mountain makes its move
Beckoning me to ascend
A much more difficult path
To get up the slippery bend
I cannot choose both
I have a choice to make
I must be wise
This will determine my fate
I choose, I choose the mountain
With all its stress and strain
Because only by climbing
Can I rise above the plain
I choose the mountain
And I will never stop climbing
I choose the mountain
And I shall forever be ascending
I choose the mountain.”
91. Alexandra Skiathitis’ “Keep On Smiling” Poem:
If at times you feel you want to cry
And life seems such a trial,
Above the clouds there’s a bright blue sky,
So make your tears a smile.
As you travel on life’s way
With its many ups and downs,
Remember it’s quite true to say
One smile is worth a dozen frowns.
Among the world’s expensive things,
A smile is very cheap.
And when you give a smile away,
You get one back to keep.
Happiness comes at times to all,
But sadness comes unbidden,
And sometimes a few tears must fall
Among the laughter hidden.
So when friends have sadness on their face
And troubles round them piled,
The world will seem a better place
And all because you smiled.”
92. Douglas Malloch’s “Be The Best Of Whatever You Are” Poem:
“If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley — but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.
If you can’t be a bush be a bit of the grass,
And some highway happier make;
If you can’t be a muskie then just be a bass —
But the liveliest bass in the lake!
We can’t all be captains, we’ve got to be crew,
There’s something for all of us here,
There’s big work to do, and there’s lesser to do,
And the task you must do is the near.
If you can’t be a highway then just be a trail,
If you can’t be the sun be a star;
It isn’t by size that you win or you fail —
Be the best of whatever you are!”
93. Edmund Vance Cooke’s How Did You Die Poem To Keep You Inspired:
“Did you tackle that trouble that came your way
With a resolute heart and cheerful?
Or hide your face from the light of day
With a craven soul and fearful?
Oh, a trouble’s a ton, or a trouble’s an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it,
And it isn’t the fact that you’re hurt that counts,
But only how did you take it?
You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what’s that!
Come up with a smiling face.
It’s nothing against you to fall down flat,
But to lie there-that’s disgrace.
The harder you’re thrown, why the higher you bounce
Be proud of your blackened eye!
It isn’t the fact that you’re licked that counts;
It’s how did you fight-and why?
And though you be done to the death, what then?
If you battled the best you could,
If you played your part in the world of men,
Why, the Critic will call it good.
Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,
And whether he’s slow or spry,
It isn’t the fact that you’re dead that counts,
But only how did you die?”
94. Joyce Alcantara’s You Will Never See Me Fall Powerful Poem:
“You may see me struggle,
but you won’t see me fall.
Regardless if I’m weak or not,
I’m going to stand tall.
Everyone says life is easy,
but truly living it is not.
Times get hard,
people struggle
and constantly get put on the spot.
I’m going to wear the biggest smile,
even though I want to cry.
I’m going to fight to live,
even though I’m destined to die.
And even though it’s hard
and I may struggle through it all,
you may see me struggle…
but you will NEVER see me fall.”
95. Sara Teasdale’s Barter Poem For Inspiration:
“Life has loveliness to sell,
All beautiful and splendid things,
Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
Soaring fire that sways and sings,
And children’s faces looking up
Holding wonder like a cup.
Life has loveliness to sell,
Music like a curve of gold,
Scent of pine trees in the rain,
Eyes that love you, arms that hold,
And for your spirit’s still delight,
Holy thoughts that star the night.
Spend all you have for loveliness,
Buy it and never count the cost;
For one white singing hour of peace
Count many a year of strife well lost,
And for a breath of ecstasy
Give all you have been, or could be.”
96. Audre Lorde’s A Woman Speaks
“Moon marked and touched by sun
my magic is unwritten
but when the sea turns back
it will leave my shape behind.
I seek no favor
untouched by blood
unrelenting as the curse of love
permanent as my errors
or my pride
I do not mix
love with pity
nor hate with scorn
and if you would know me
look into the entrails of Uranus
where the restless oceans pound.
I do not dwell
within my birth nor my divinities
who am ageless and half-grown
and still seeking
my sisters
witches in Dahomey
wear me inside their coiled cloths
as our mother did
mourning.
I have been woman
for a long time
beware my smile
I am treacherous with old magic
and the noon’s new fury
with all your wide futures
promised
I am
woman
and not white.”
97. Byron Pulsifer’s “Trouble But Not Defeat” Sensational Poem
“When you are feeling down
And all you can muster up is a frown
That is the time to stop
And count your blessings until you drop.
Focus on all of life’s good
And you will find things work out as they should
Feeling sorry and just sitting around
It is a sure thing to bring you down.
Take some action, make a move
It doesn’t matter if others approve
Nothing lasts forever
You will move past this if you endeavor!”
98. Susan Coolidge’s “New Every Morning” Motivational Poem:
“Every day is a fresh beginning,
Listen my soul to the glad refrain.
And, spite of old sorrows
And older sinning,
Troubles forecasted
And possible pain,
Take heart with the day and begin again.”
99. Emily Dickinson’s “Because I Could Not Stop For Death” Inspiring Poem:
Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.
We slowly drove, he knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labor, and my leisure too,
For his civility.
We passed the school, where children strove
At recess, in the ring;
We passed the fields of gazing grain,
We passed the setting sun.
Or rather, he passed us;
The dews grew quivering and chill,
For only gossamer my gown,
My tippet only tulle.
We paused before a house that seemed
A swelling of the ground;
The roof was scarcely visible,
The cornice but a mound.
Since then ’tis centuries, and yet each
Feels shorter than the day
I first surmised the horses’ heads
Were toward eternity.”
100. B.J. Morbitzer’s Time To Believe Inspirational Poem:
“To believe is to know that
every day is a new beginning.
Is to trust that miracles happen,
and dreams really do come true.
To believe is to see angels
dancing among the clouds,
To know the wonder of a stardust sky
and the wisdom of the man in the moon.
To believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart,
The innocence of a child’s eyes
and the beauty of an aging hand,
for it is through their teachings we learn to love.
To believe is to find the strength
and courage that lies within us
When it’s time to pick up
the pieces and begin again.
To believe is to know
we are not alone,
That life is a gift
and this is our time to cherish it.
To believe is to know
that wonderful surprises are just
waiting to happen,
And all our hopes and dreams are within reach.
If only we believe.”
Conclusion: It’s Time For Action
We hope you enjoyed the short inspirational poems and are ready to take action. You can go through the list carefully and find one or two inspiring poems that get you super fired up to take action.
You can do it. You can make it. I don’t believe there’s something that can stop you. The only thing that can stop you is you. In other words, you stop yourself when you decide to listen to pay attention to the negative around you or make excuses.
Motivate yourself. As you can see, these poems aren’t just creative write-ups. They are written from the heart, and the words are smartly organized to change your mentality; every one of them is.
