"The great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude."
- Self Reliance, Ralph Waldo Emerson
Recently, in my English class, I just finished studying Transcendentalism. As cities and urban life began to develop in 19th century America, Transcendentalists believed that man must find their ideal, independent state that 'transcends' beyond intellectualism and reason. Some say this is the period where true American-style writing began to develop. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Walt Whitman are just a few of the many Transcendentalist writers. Here's a couple of poems I wrote for my English class imitating Transcendentalist style (embrace yourself because they're really cheesy. :D) And the first two pictures are from Austria (my dad and me) and the Alps, 2008, and the last one is from my old house.
Living Today in Love
Life - what a simple word?
But so much to do in a life, so little time.
Love - what an easy beauty?
But one little mess and you have a burdening climb.
Faith - what a useful tool?
But so difficult to trust, so easy to fail.
Hope - what a beautiful friend?
With God's almighty help, man's hope shall never end.
Life - all a man has is now,
one time to live, so live it well.
Love - a grand gift to receive for unworthy man.
it is all we have to give; so act, not just tell.
Faith - we all need a friend,
for without Jesus man is nothing.
So lost is he who has no faith,
but have no fear, for He is here.
Love - so sweet the sound,
and what a generous blessing.
The dirt of man is so undeserving,
but He who loves us so
never stops giving,
never stops blessing
God never stops loving.
With faith, with hope, and with love
life will never cease to be beautiful
as we praise and thank our Father above.
The Galaxy of Heaven
Behold the vast and immeasurable jewels
which surround man's humble soul.
Grasp the unsurpassable advensture of the blue skies.
Embrace the weaknesses of man against God's perfect creation.
Drink the virgin rain drops
as fresh motivation overflows your heart with living dreams.
Follow the shadows painted beside the lambent stars
bantering in an infinite galaxy
painted in the reflections of the clear meadows
Go! Run in the waters of neverending opportunity.
Swim in the hands of the Loving Lord.
Dance freely in the land of intuitive imagination.
Sing the song conducted in your heart as
you draw closer to the golden gates.
Pray, rejoice, and give thanks now,
as you kiss the life in heaven to come.
Life - what a simple word?
But so much to do in a life, so little time.
Love - what an easy beauty?
But one little mess and you have a burdening climb.
Faith - what a useful tool?
But so difficult to trust, so easy to fail.
Hope - what a beautiful friend?
With God's almighty help, man's hope shall never end.
Life - all a man has is now,
one time to live, so live it well.
Love - a grand gift to receive for unworthy man.
it is all we have to give; so act, not just tell.
Faith - we all need a friend,
for without Jesus man is nothing.
So lost is he who has no faith,
but have no fear, for He is here.
Love - so sweet the sound,
and what a generous blessing.
The dirt of man is so undeserving,
but He who loves us so
never stops giving,
never stops blessing
God never stops loving.
With faith, with hope, and with love
life will never cease to be beautiful
as we praise and thank our Father above.
The Galaxy of Heaven
Behold the vast and immeasurable jewels
which surround man's humble soul.
Grasp the unsurpassable advensture of the blue skies.
Embrace the weaknesses of man against God's perfect creation.
Drink the virgin rain drops
as fresh motivation overflows your heart with living dreams.
Follow the shadows painted beside the lambent stars
bantering in an infinite galaxy
painted in the reflections of the clear meadows
Go! Run in the waters of neverending opportunity.
Swim in the hands of the Loving Lord.
Dance freely in the land of intuitive imagination.
Sing the song conducted in your heart as
you draw closer to the golden gates.
Pray, rejoice, and give thanks now,
as you kiss the life in heaven to come.
1 comment:
I just studied transcendentalism a month or so ago in my AP U.S. History class! It's such an inspiring and beautiful movement, and the literature is amazing! Thanks for sharing!
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