What re your thoughts on the below poem?

Question

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the 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 to 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 to 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 the world is full of trickery. But let not this 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 in your soul. With all it's sham drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

-- Max Ehrmann

I lost my "a"
Peace and Love

"A famous poem and declaration of what is essential to one's life and how to live peacefully. ... Max Ehrmann."

Answer 1

A lovely prose poem... Desiderata (Latin for "desired things", plural of desideratum) is about attaining happiness in life. It was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann.
Then there is this...

Deteriorata
(National Lampoon)

(You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
Deteriorata, Deteriorata)

Go placidly amidst the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof. Avoid quiet and passive persons, unless you are in need of sleep. Rotate your tires. Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself; and heed well their advice, even though they be turkeys. Know what to kiss - and when. Consider that two wrongs never make a right, but that three do. Wherever possible, put people on hold. Be comforted, that in the face of all irridity and disillusionment, and despite the changing fortunes of time, there is always a big future in computer maintenance.

(You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
Whether you can hear it or not,
The universe is laughing behind your back.)

Remember the Pueblo. Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle, and mutilate. Know yourself. If you need help, call the FBI. Exercise caution in your daily affairs, especially with those persons closest to you... That lemon on your left, for instance. Be assured that a walk through the seas of most souls would scarcely get your feet wet. Fall not in love, therefore, it will stick to your face. Gracefully surrender the things of youth: the birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan - and let not the sands of time get in your lunch. Hire people with hooks. For a good time, call 606-4311, ask for Ken. Take heart in the deepening gloom that your dog is finally getting enough cheese. And reflect that whatever misfortune may be your lot, it could only be worse in Milwaukee.

(You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
Whether you can hear it or not,
The universe is laughing behind your back.)

Therefore, make peace with your god, whatever you perceive him to be: hairy thunderer or cosmic muffin. With all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal, the world continues to deteriorate. GIVE UP!

(You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
Whether you can hear it or not,
The universe is laughing behind your back.)

I prefer the first poem.

Answer 2

This is a very beautiful poem.I intend to use it with my lesson on Sunday.How did you loose a peace and love?Was it a person or your relationship with God?If it was a person,I am sorry for your loss.If it was your relationship with the father,I am even more sorry for your loss.However,God knows what we need in every situation.I can think of times in my life when I was devastated by what I thought of as the loss of something irreplaceable when in fact God meant it for my greater good. In hindsight I could realize that it wasn't what I needed or wanted.Right now it seems like you are at the Red Sea with Pharaohs army coming behind you. Hang in.He is a on time God and he will see you through what ever it is you are going through.I will be praying for you.

Answer 3

It's O.K. I guess, But I prefer poems that rhyme. And this one is very boring, kinda like a lecture from a wise parent with a decent vocabulary. This should be in the poetry section, though.

Answer 4

I enjoyed the poem and can relate to its message. Inner peace is a plato that we must strive to get to and fight to stay there.

Answer 5

Wonderful words from a talented man who succeeded in recognizing the relativity of GOD, faith, human emotion and humbleness. Quite inspiring and I thank you for sharing.........peace and love.......

Answer 6

Seems more like advice than a poem, but good either way.
It's enlightening!

Answer 7

Nicely-written, but I'm fairly sure that is prose, not poetry.

Answer 8

Words to live by.

Answer 9

No

Answer 10

i like it!