John Kendrick Bangs Poems

BEGIN the day with smiling eyes ;
Pursue the day with smiling lips;
Through clouds perceive the smiling skies
...

I met a little Elf-man, once,
Down where the lillies blow.
I asked him why he was so small,
...

IF an unkind word appears,
File the thing away.
If some novelty in jeers,
File the thing away.
...

WORRY stalked along the road,
Trouble sneaking after;
Then Black Care, and Grief, and Goad
Enemies to Laughter.
...

IF there's no Sun, I still can have the Moon ;
If there's no Moon, the Stars my needs suffice ;
And if these fail, I have my Evening Lamp ;
...

ICE and snow are cold, I know
Pain and sorrow too are chill.
Ever notice how the glow
Of the sun on ice and snow,
...

SHOW me your God the doubter cries.
I point him out the smiling skies;
I show him all the woodland greens;
I show him peaceful sylvan scenes;
...

THY span of life was all too short—
A week or two at best—
From budding-time, through blossoming,
To withering and rest.
...

IT seemed to be but chance, yet who shall say
That ’t was not part of Nature ’s own sweet way,
...

IF you must sit and sigh,
And have the blues,
Why don't you try
...