DESIDERATA

 

1. What is the poem all about?

° Desiderata is a wonderfully uplifting poem. It is short and simple but magnificently powerful. The poem can be a wonderful companion that guides you through times of hardship and self-doubt. It can aid you in becoming more accepting of the difficult challenge - or person - you're confronted with. In doing so, Desiderata can greatly help you to find ways of patiently overcoming these difficulties.

DESIDERATA

                 byMax   Erhmann

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.

© Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

2. Why are you interested in this artwork?

° I got interested with this poem because it motivates us strive for high ideals, to have faith in ourselves, and to develop trust in the way things unfold. Also, it reminds us to treat others kindly, accept who they are, and to be gentle with ourselves. It's kind of an interesting literary piece because you could actually get a lot of inspirational and motivational lines within the poem itself.

3. How does it affect you?

° It affects me in a way that I was able to realized many things about life. That I must continue the life that I've had and live with means, despite of those things/obstacles that may challenge me as I live.

Assumption/s to the art.

° At first when I've read the title of the poem, I'd thought that it was a poem about soldiers in a battle, patriotism and/or nationalism. But then, when I am in the state of reading every single line, it does gave me the answer to the what's on my mind, in which I've gone into the concept of life of motivating, continuing and living it with means.

Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. The images/videos was use for a project course only.