Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was right

I don’t know about you, but poetry is something I grew up with. Teachers had us memorize and recite poetry. Mom loved poetry. One of her favorite poets was Longfellow (along with Kipling and Stevenson). Her favorite Longfellow poem was The Children’s Hour. She recited it often.

Lately I have been missing her deeply. I long for her counsel in these discouraging times. Things have been looking dark and hopeless, in many ways. I see hate and division. As a perennial optimist I have been REALLY struggling.

Then, this morning, I got a nudge. I thought about another poem, that is also a song. I am posting here the nudge I got today. It is the final part of the poem and song. Yes, mama.

[“And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”]

We can hope. We can give. We can love. God is right here. Yes, Lord. Yes.