A Psalm for Living

Do not tell me, in mournful tones,

Life is but a futile dream!

For the dormant soul is lifeless,

And appearances are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is purposeful!

And the grave is not its aim;

Though dust we are, to dust we return,

The soul shall never be the same.

Neither pleasure nor pain,

Determines our destined end or way;

But action, that each tomorrow,

Finds us farther than today.

Art endures, while Time eludes,

And our resolute hearts, though strong and brave,

Resemble solemn drums, that beat

Funeral marches towards the grave.

In life's expansive battlefield,

In the camp of existence,

Do not be like mute, driven cattle!

Be a hero amidst the strife!

Trust no Future, no matter how pleasant!

Let the bygone Past bury its dead!

Act—act in the vibrant Present!

With heart and God overhead!

The lives of great men remind us

That we can make our lives sublime,

And as we depart, leave behind us

Imprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,

Sailing life's solemn main,

A desolate and shipwrecked brother,

Seeing, may take heart again.

So let us rise and take action,

With a steadfast heart for any fate;

Continually achieving, ever pursuing,

Learning to toil and patiently wait.

Do not be disheartened, for life's not an illusion,

Though it may seem so in mournful reflection.

Within each slumbering soul, lies the spark of life,

And appearances can deceive, obscuring truth's light.

Life is a vivid reality, earnest and true,

The grave is not its destination, but a passage we pass through.

From dust we come, to dust we shall return,

But the spirit transcends, forever to discern.

Neither pleasure nor sorrow define our fate,

It's in our actions that we shape our own state.

With each passing day, let progress be our guide,

Advancing further than before, with purpose as our stride.

Art endures, while time slips away,

Our brave hearts, like muffled drums, convey,

The solemn beats of funeral marches played,

A reminder that life's brevity must not fade.

Amidst life's battles, in its bivouac we dwell,

Let us not be like cattle, driven, but rebel.

Embrace the hero within, with courage as our plea,

Navigating the storms, forging our destiny.

Place no trust in an uncertain tomorrow,

Let the past rest, free from sorrow.

Act in the present, with passion and zest,

With God above and our hearts abreast.

The lives of great men, a poignant reflection,

Teach us to make our own lives a sublime connection.

As we depart, leaving imprints on time's shore,

May others find solace, rekindling hope once more.

So let us rise, and face life with fortitude anew,

Embracing any fate, with resilience and virtue.

Continuously striving, with unyielding quest,

Learning the art of labor, patience, and conquest.

Life is not an empty dream, but a canvas to explore,

A journey of purpose, in which we can truly soar.

Embrace its meaning, in every breath we take,

Creating a legacy that shall never break.

So let us continue, with unwavering resolve,

In this journey of life, let our spirits evolve.

For within our hearts, lies the power to create,

To shape our reality, and rewrite our fate.

And as we labor and wait, in patience and stride,

May our endeavors bring joy, far and wide.

Together, let us forge a path of meaning and worth,

Creating a legacy that will transcend the Earth.

In this ceaseless pursuit of growth and connection,

Let us cherish each moment, with deep reflection.

For life's beauty lies not in its destination alone,

But in the meaningful experiences we have known.