If I Can
If I can throw a single ray of light,
Across the darkened pathway of another,
If I can aid some soul to clearer sight
Of light and duty and thus bless my brother;
If I can wipe from any human cheek a tear
I shall not have, then, lived in vain while here.
If I can guide some erring to truth
Inspire within his heart a sense of duty;
If I can plant within the soul of a rosy plant
A sense of light, a love of truth and beauty:
If I can plant within the soul of a rosy plant
A sense of light, a love of truth and beauty;
If I can teach one man that God and Heaven are near;
I shall not have, then, lived in vain while here.
If from my mind I can banish doubt and fear.
And keep my life attuned to truth, love and kindness;
If I can scatter light and hope and cheer
And help and remove the curse of mental blindness;
If I can make joy more, more hope, less pain
I shall not have, lived in vain while here.
If by life's road side I can plant a tree
Beneath whose shade some wearied head may rest
Though I may never share its shade or see
Its beauty I shall yet be truly blessed
Though no one knows my name.


PSALM OF LIFE
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.