Love poems

That Smile

Everard Jack Appleton

I sure do like that kid, although I know
He’s rotten spoiled, and ought to be suppressed.
He’s boiling over with boy-nonsense! So
The neighbors have no chance to get a rest.
Not bad, you understand; just “some unlucky”
In getting caught at things, once in a while;
Yet when he does, he never runs—he’s plucky!
But plays that smile of his, that flashing smile.

Sometimes when he has done a foolish thing—
Like “hoeing weeds” with our best garden hose,
Or in the rose bed “built a min’rul spring,”
He’s bound to make me peevish, goodness knows!
Yet when he tries to “‘splain it all” to me,
I don’t succumb a moment to his guile;
I’m stern, as stern, indeed, as I can be—
Until he smiles that mother-given smile!

Perhaps he doesn’t understand how strong
A weapon he possesses—Gracious me!
Disarmed by it, I can not right the wrong
By scolding him, however forcefully.
I do believe, if Fate itself were bent
On breaking him, ‘twould hesitate a while
And feel ashamed!… He wins without intent
Because—God bless him!—he knows when to smile.

One of These Days

James W. Foley

Say! Let’s forget it! Let’s put it aside!
  Life is so large and the world is so wide.
  Days are so short and there’s so much to do,
  What if it was false—there’s plenty that’s true.
  Say! Let’s forget it! Let’s brush it away
  Now and forever, so what do you say?
  All of the bitter words said may be praise
  One of these days.

  Say! Let’s forget it! Let’s wipe off the slate,
  Find something better to cherish than hate.
  There’s so much good in the world that we’ve had,
  Let’s strike a balance and cross off the bad.
  Say! Let’s forgive it, whatever it be,
  Let’s not be slaves when we ought to be free.
  We shall be walking in sunshiny ways
  One of these days.

  Say! Let’s not mind it! Let’s smile it away,
  Bring not a withered rose from yesterday;
  Flowers are so fresh from the wayside and wood,
  Sorrows are blessings but half understood.
  Say! Let’s not mind it, however it seems,
  Hope is so sweet and holds so many dreams;
  All of the sere fields with blossoms shall blaze
  One of these days.

  Say! Let’s not take it so sorely to heart!
  Hates may be friendships just drifted apart,
  Failure be genius not quite understood,
  Say! Let’s get closer to somebody’s side,
  See what his dreams are and learn how he tried,
  See if our scoldings won’t give way to praise
  One of these days.

  Say! Let’s not wither! Let’s branch out and rise
  Out of the byways and nearer the skies.
  Let’s spread some shade that’s refreshing and deep
  Where some tired traveler may lie down and sleep.
  Say! Let’s not tarry! Let’s do it right now;
  So much to do if we just find out how!
  We may not be here to help folks or praise
  One of these days.

Life

Henry Van Dyke

  Let me but live my life from year to year,
         With forward face and unreluctant soul;
         Not hurrying to, nor turning from, the goal;
     Not mourning for the things that disappear
     In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
       From what the future veils; but with a whole
       And happy heart, that pays its toll
     To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.

     So let the way wind up the hill or down,
       O'er rough or smooth, the journey will be joy:
       Still seeking what I sought when but a boy,
     New friendship, high adventure, and a crown,
     My heart will keep the courage of the quest,
     And hope the road's last turn will be the best.