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If I Can Help One Fainting Robin

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Inspirational Poem by Emily Dickinson

If I can stop one heart from breaking
I shall not live in vain.
If I can ease one life the aching
Or cool one pain
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again
I shall not live in vain.


Robin Photo By: Anita Gould, Creative Commons

Reaching For Robins

I've been feeling frightened and downright grouchy because of things beyond my control. When I'm upset, I'm quick to take offense at people being jerks (which people are) and don't take enough time to notice people being kind (which people also are).
Then I noticed a thread in SquidU forum with the title: "Is there any one thing you did that made a difference?" by the aptly-named wishpearl.
I was reminded of my favorite poem, the "Fainting Robin" by Emily Dickinson.
The thread turned out to be asking something else entirely. But I liked the question I found, even if it wasn't the question someone else needed answered. It reminded me to ask:

Have you made a difference to someone, something, somewhere?

Because, if you have, no matter how grouchy or worthless you're feeling right now: cut yourself some slack.

You have not lived in vain.


Photo by Mary Amanda Thompson, Creative Commons

Emily Dickinson Poetry Collection

I'm Nobody! Who Are You? (Scholastic Classics)

I'm Nobody! Who Are You? (Scholastic Classics)

by: Emily Dickinson

Amazon Price: $0.01 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

My favorite collection of Emily Dickinson poems, which I learned to read from as a child, had this title, from one of her more charming poems. I don't think it's quite the same collection (mine had gorgeous colored pencil illustrations), but since it's Scholastic, it probably emphasizes her more beautiful instead of depressing poetry. "Show me a picture of the sun," "Hope is the thing with feathers," and so on.

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Got a comment you'd rather not Twitter? Please leave it here!

(Note: Flowers, as usual, by the lovely website Karen's Whimsey).

  • WordCustard Feb 9, 2011 @ 9:48 am | delete
    I'm not on Twitter but love the idea behind this and hope some folk will stop by and add their thoughts. You've reminded me that we can all make a difference if we focus on what is small and achievable, instead of looking at the immense troubles of the world and giving up hope. A wonderful poem with a message we should all take to heart.
  • LoKackl Nov 22, 2009 @ 12:56 pm | delete
    Love this lens - 5*/fav/roll to emily-dickinson-less-is-more-poet
    'Tis always - always nice to meet another reader of Emily Dickinson poems! I believe the poet would approve of your images of the bird and of the eggs in a nest. I especially appreciate your willingness to veer off the American imperative to a prescribed version of "positive thinking." I have learned from Dickinson poems that sometimes the most positive thinking I can do is Truth about "After great pain a formal feeling comes/the stiff heart questions/was it He That bore/And yesterday, or centuries before/The feet mechanical......"
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Greekgeek

Storyteller, former Latin teacher, student of mythology and the ancient world: I've worn many hats, but always I've dabbled in computers and the web.

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