Meaningful Poems

Meaning of Life Poems

It is the thesis of the great psychoanalyst Viktor Frankl that man can endure any hardship as long as he can find meaning in the experience. Incidentally, as a survivor of Nazi Concentration Camps he was in a position to know. Thankfully, most of us are not tested in such extreme conditions. However, the principle is the same. Human beings cannot live without meaning. Depression is the natural outcome of living a life that is bereft of purpose.

71 Deep Poems about Life

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1. The Invitation

The Invitation is a prose poem by Oriah Mountain Dreamer. Many years after the poem was written and had become famous, the author wrote a book based on the poem, The Invitation (1999), by Oriah Mountain Dreamer. Oriah is a spiritual counselor and story teller, among other things. This poem offers an invitation to every single one of us to "show up" in the universe. She reminds us that we do not serve the universe by being small. Rather, we serve the universe by making the most out of our lives.

Top 500 Poem 2
- By Oriah Mountain Dreamer
It doesn't interest me
what you do for a living.
I want to know
what you ache for

It doesn't interest me
what you do for a living.
I want to know
what you ache for
and if you dare to dream
of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me
how old you are.
I want to know
if you will risk
looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me
what planets are
squaring your moon...
I want to know
if you have touched
the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened
by life's betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know
if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know
if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you
to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations
of being human.

It doesn't interest me
if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear
the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know
if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
"Yes."

It doesn't interest me
to know where you live
or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me
who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me
where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know
what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know
if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like
the company you keep
in the empty moments.
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2. The True Meaning Of Life

I have been through hard times, I've struggled like everyone else to find contentment, peace, and an understanding of what life is really about. I believe age has everything to do with finally knowing what life is really about, which is who we are and not what we have.

Top 500 Poem 13
- By Patricia A Fleming
- Published: July 2017 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
What's Important In Life

The years have passed by
In the blink of an eye,
Moments of sadness
And joy have flown by.

The years have passed by
In the blink of an eye,
Moments of sadness
And joy have flown by.

People I loved
Have come and have gone,
But the world never stopped,
And we all carried on.

Life wasn't easy,
And the struggles were there,
Filled with times that it mattered,
Times I just didn't care.

I stood on my own,
And I still found my way,
Through some nights filled with tears,
And the dawn of new days.

And now with old age,
It's become very clear;
Things I once found important
Were not why I was here.

And how many things
That I managed to buy
Were never what made me
Feel better inside.

And the worries and fears
That plagued me each day,
In the end of it all,
Would just fade away.

But how much I reached out
To others when needed,
Would be the true measure
Of how I succeeded.

And how much I shared
Of my soul and my heart
Would ultimately be
What set me apart.

And what's really important,
Is my opinion of me,
And whether or not
I'm the best I can be.

And how much more kindness
And love I can show
Before the Lord tells me
It's my time to go.
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3. My Credo Of Life

This is my philosophy of life and how to live it. Experience every moment, stay open minded, and cherish life for all that it is.

Top 500 Poem 49
- By Patricia A Fleming
- Published: April 2018 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Poem About Living Life To Its Fullest

Let me live within the moment.
Let me feel all that I can.
Let me cherish life for all it's worth,
With everything I am.

Let me live within the moment.
Let me feel all that I can.
Let me cherish life for all it's worth,
With everything I am.

Let me see what's right in front of me,
With vision crystal clear.
And face what's waiting there for me,
With no hesitance or fear.

May I wake each day with gratitude,
For all my life may be.
And always feel that wonderment
At the world surrounding me.

May I welcome any strangers
With an open heart and mind.
And always stand for what is right
With all the strength that I can find.

Let me forgive myself for my mistakes,
While forgiving others theirs.
And never grow indifferent
But always strive to care.

Let me not forget what matters
In the scheme of every day,
To live each precious moment
In a kind and loving way.

For this moment now is everything,
Nothing matters but today.
So I'll willingly embrace it
And not let it slip away.

For it passes all so quickly,
And one chance is all we get.
And a life of wasted moments
Is a life filled with regrets.
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Hi Pat! I love this poem and others that you have submitted. You seem to write about life, and I do the same. I like to write from the heart and so do you. They make you stop and think how...

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4. A Fleeting Image

Recently, a friend of mine died very suddenly and unexpectedly. He was a talented photographer and a fantastic human being who devoted much of his time to the happiness of others. I had seen him a few weeks before, and he was so vibrant and alive. The death hit me pretty hard, and for the first time in over 20 years I felt compelled to write and the words just flowed. This poem is not so much about death, more so it's about the fleeting nature of life and the uncertainty we feel as we navigate it.
In Memory Of Jakob Barak

Top 500 Poem 90
- By Avi Fleischer
- Published: March 2018 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
The Fleeting Nature Of Life

So fleeting is this thing called life, we journey toward its end,
experiencing pieces of a puzzle we don't truly comprehend.

The hues of our emotion paint a picture of our past,

So fleeting is this thing called life, we journey toward its end,
experiencing pieces of a puzzle we don't truly comprehend.

The hues of our emotion paint a picture of our past,
as we hurtle toward a destiny that is not meant to last.

Youth a canvas all in white, not knowing what awaits,
feel caresses of a brush that which we know as fate.

Love so very true in reds, that beat within our heart,
shadows black take form as hate, which tears the soul apart.

Greens of joy and happiness, lush grass beyond compare,
sadness, shrouded depths of blue, the waters of despair.

Yellow screams of agony and pain which we endure.
Guilt and shame are shades of grey, a torrential downpour.

Earthy brown desires are that for which we lust,
the loss of which comes with age, like chrome begins to rust.

The image changing constantly as time plods slowly on,
taking shape in many forms, as the twilight replaces dawn.

We look into a mirror for the answers which we seek,
but we find no consolation as our eyes grow dim and weak.

The final touches on a painting created with much love,
as we realize that the destination is the gallery above...
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I love this poem. Very artful, well balanced, and full of depth. You struck a nerve with me. I often like to say that life has two real purposes. One, to find, build, and refine our...

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5. A Psalm Of Life

This inspiring poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, (1807 - 1882) was first published in 1838. It uses an ABAB rhyming pattern. Longfellow explained the poem's purpose as "a transcript of my thoughts and feelings at the time I wrote, and of the conviction therein expressed, that Life is something more than an idle dream." A very famous line from the poem is, "Footprints on the sands of time".

Top 500 Poem 98
- By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!—
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!—
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,—act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
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My deceased husband introduced me to this poem 55 years ago, and I've always considered it a great gift.

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6. Memory Album

How dull life would be without our memories for company. For some, memories are all they have.
- By John P. Read
- Published: November 2019 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Precious Memories

Memories are life's special moments
Borrowed from the passing of time.
Ghosts and shadows from bygone days,
Etched and stored inside our mind.

Memories are life's special moments
Borrowed from the passing of time.
Ghosts and shadows from bygone days,
Etched and stored inside our mind.

Our minds are a memory album
Where the past and present meet,
Memories we lovingly cling to
That make the heart skip a beat.

Some we would like to forget.
Some we love to treasure.
Some memories become precious gifts
That live on forever and ever.

Yes, memories are precious moments,
And I have quite a few,
The memories I treasure the most
Are those I made with you.
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7. Leisure

We are often in such a hurry in life that we move from one thing to the next without stopping to notice the beauty around us. Famous poet W.H. Davies (1871-1940) reminds us that life passes by quickly, and he encourages readers to take moments to “stand and stare.” W.H. Davies was a Welsh poet who devoted himself to writing poetry in his late 20s. Many of his poems were filled with themes of hardship and the natural world.
- By W. H. Davies
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare

No time to stand beneath the boughs,

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare

No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare
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This is a wonderful poem and has always been one of my favourites. At this time of lockdown restrictions and protecting ourselves, we have that time to stop and look at the world - to enjoy...

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8. What Life Should Be

This is what I've decided life is about. At an older age now, I think a great deal about what life is for.

Top 500 Poem 165
- By Patricia A Fleming
- Published: February 2018 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Finding Life's Meaning

To learn while still a child
What this life is meant to be.
To know it goes beyond myself,
It's so much more than me.

To learn while still a child
What this life is meant to be.
To know it goes beyond myself,
It's so much more than me.

To overcome the tragedies,
To survive the hardest times.
To face those moments filled with pain,
And still manage to be kind.

To fight for those who can't themselves,
To always share my light.
With those who wander in the dark,
To love with all my might.

To still stand up with courage,
Though standing on my own.
To still get up and face each day,
Even when I feel alone.

To try to understand the ones
That no one cares to know.
And make them feel some value
When the world has let them go.

To be an anchor, strong and true,
That person loyal to the end.
To be a constant source of hope
To my family and my friends.

To live a life of decency,
To share my heart and soul.
To always say I'm sorry
When I've harmed both friend and foe.

To be proud of whom I've tried to be,
And this life I chose to live.
To make the most of every day
By giving all I have to give.

To me that's what this life should be,
To me that's what it's for.
To take what God has given me
And make it so much more

To live a life that matters,
To be someone of great worth.
To love and be loved in return
And make my mark on Earth.
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I teach in an urban district where I have a first-hand look at life from a different perspective. I teach seniors who are getting ready to go into a world where they are thought to be NOT as...

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9. The Choice Is Mine

I've had my share of troubles in life, though not as much as some have had. But I've discovered that happiness - or a lack of it - never really comes from my friends or foes. Although they do influence it, it's really up to me.

Top 500 Poem 253
- By Abimbola T. Alabi
- Published: January 2018 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Happiness Poem

Analysis of Form and Technique

Life may not let me choose my lot,
But whether I'd be happy or not...
That is my choice.

Life may not let me choose my lot,
But whether I'd be happy or not...
That is my choice.

To leave hurtful memories behind
Or allow them to bother my mind...
The choice is mine.

To fret over a mistake when it's done
Or learn from it and move on...
The choice is mine.

To be bothered by all that people say
Or ignore them and go my own way...
The choice is mine.

To hide my feelings, pent up, unspoken,
Or say my mind and ease the burden...
The choice is mine.

To enjoy what I've been able to gain
Or ungratefully regard it with disdain...
The choice is mine.

Sometimes I won't get to pick my lot,
But whether I'll be happy or not
Will always be my choice.
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I really loved this poem. It is simple but lovely, the sort of thing you could hand to anyone having troubles with life. The choice is theirs to let things worry them and spoil their lives or...

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10. Perfection

The poem "Perfection" describes how I feel that we all follow the same path. I wrote this piece when I realized I was different than everyone else and would notice others changing to make themselves "fit in."

Top 500 Poem 273
- By Matthew
- Published: June 2016 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Poem About Striving To Be Yourself

Perfection was created
to make us feel imperfect,
but imperfect, of course,
is the perfect thing to be.

Perfection was created
to make us feel imperfect,
but imperfect, of course,
is the perfect thing to be.

We spend every hour of every day,
every day of every week,
trying to be different,
trying to be unique.

Our nature is to search
for answers to life's questions,
concepts we don't understand,
like "What is perfection?"

You strive to be "perfect,"
a term you don't understand.
You should be yourself
before it gets out of hand.

Surely happiness is of priority
over a word like "perfection,"
so ask yourself this,
who looks back in your reflection?
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This is really a wonderful poem. It reflect what most of us strive for. My heart became light as I realized I need to be happy rather than perfect. Thank you.

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11. Remember Me

Everyone wants to be remembered when they leave this world. I wrote this because we only have today. Tomorrow we are not promised. I learned that the hard way when I lost my mom. I know if she could have, these are some of the things she would have said.

Top 500 Poem 343
- By Kathy J. Parenteau
- Published: September 2013 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Poem Encouraging Others To Make The Most Of Each Day

If I were to leave this world today, I'd want to be remembered, it's true,
for going that extra mile just to show my love for you.
I'd want for you to be proud of me and know I always tried.
When you hurt, I did, too; your tears I also cried.

If I were to leave this world today, I'd want to be remembered, it's true,
for going that extra mile just to show my love for you.
I'd want for you to be proud of me and know I always tried.
When you hurt, I did, too; your tears I also cried.
I'd want you to be compassionate to never turn away
from someone who might need a hug or encouragement one day.
I'd want you to know I'm sorry if I ever caused you pain.
I hope you learn from my mistakes and
forgive me just the same.
There are no second chances when God
says it's time to go.
We only have today to let our feelings show.
Remember this when you say your prayers and count your blessings tonight,
and treasure every precious moment God gives you in this life.
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Beautiful poem. It inspires me a lot with Einstein's words, "Try not to be a success but of value." It goes into my inner core and resonates a deep feeling in me, to live a purposeful life....

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12. A Day Away

I've struggled with depression most of my life. I tend to see the worst in things and often need to be reminded of things most people do naturally. This short poem is one of those reminders. A great tragedy occurs when the bad days numb us to the good ones. Try to enjoy the good days, because they don't last that long. Try not to fear the bad days, because they won't last that long. Whether time is currently your friend or foe, however it can help you today, remember today won't last that long.

Top 500 Poem 391
- By Brian E Pardee
- Published: May 2020 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Feelings And Perspective

Some feelings are shallow, some feelings are deep.
Some make us smile, some make us weep.

Some we love, some we don't.

Some feelings are shallow, some feelings are deep.
Some make us smile, some make us weep.

Some we love, some we don't.
Some we'll savor, some we won't.

Some grounding, some uplifting,
Some long-lasting, some constantly shifting.

No matter what feelings I'm feeling today,
I know tomorrow is only a day away.
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I, too, have dealt with depression most of my life. I have learned two things. Feelings are just that. They are fleeting. They come and they go. I have also learned to rely on my rock, my...

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13. Remember

Useful advice about living life. It describes how to make it through the difficult times and make a meaningful life.
- By Dawn Jensen
- Published: August 2006 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Poem With Useful Advice To Live By

As I walk through life,
I look at all I have done.
I had wandered aimlessly
And wondered what I have become.

As I walk through life,
I look at all I have done.
I had wandered aimlessly
And wondered what I have become.

I have been through so much.
It is amazing I made it through.
Lessons I have learned.
I am shocked I pulled through.

At times I wondered
What life was all about.
The trials experienced in life
Can make all the good come out.

We try to make it day by day,
Remembering what we were taught.
Just remember some time to pray.
It is important;
We need it every day.

Life can be short,
Unexpected at that.
We try to take its punches,
Just hoping it won't break our back.

Remember who you are,
Who you want to become.
Everything will fall into place
When the time comes.

Don't forget I love you's
Every chance you get.
The time may be short.
There is no time to regret.

Life can be exciting,
As we all have found out,
Eventful, even busy.
There is no time to be left out.

Remember who you are
And who you want to become.
The time can be short.
Don't leave things undone.

Remember your families,
They are the only ones you've got
To carry you in times of need.
They cannot be bought.

Remember they love you,
Either here or there.
They will always be with us,
Help for things to bear.
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A wonderful poem and every word is true. At the moment, a dreadful trauma my hubby is going through, that goes for me too. He was suddenly struck down with sepsis and was seriously ill. He...

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14. Remembering Will Have To Do

Wouldn't it be nice to have a picture book created of your life and all the beautiful moments that have passed so during hard times you can still find peace and joy?
- By Kathy J. Parenteau
- Published: May 13, 2022 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Remembering Days Passed

If I could create a picture book of
memories from the past,
every chapter a masterpiece
of unforgettable moments rehashed.

If I could create a picture book of
memories from the past,
every chapter a masterpiece
of unforgettable moments rehashed.

What a pleasure it would be
to turn a page each day,
reliving all the happy times
that quickly passed away.

Smiles I miss from loved ones
where heaven is their home,
babies all grown up now
with children of their own.

Summer rains and winter days,
autumn leaves that fell,
snowcapped pines at Christmas time
I remember so very well.

Oh, what a pleasure it would be
to flip the pages through,
for now, I see them in my mind,
so remembering will have to do.
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15. Something To Tame

I think once in a while we all need a simple reminder of the power of the tongue.
- By Abimbola T. Alabi
- Published: February 2018 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
The Power Of The Tongue

I have seen what words can do,
As I deal with people everywhere;
The tongue is powerful, it's true!
Something to tame and use with care.

I have seen what words can do,
As I deal with people everywhere;
The tongue is powerful, it's true!
Something to tame and use with care.

I've seen spiteful words ruin a life
And gentle words heal and bless;
I've seen careless words stir up strife
And tender words ease distress.

I've watched silence speak out loud
And idle chatter bring mischief;
Seen timely words persuade a crowd
And hasty words end in grief.

I've seen people eat their words
Who can't seem to hold their tongue;
Watched them take the shame it affords
When they are later proved wrong.

My tongue, too, can go astray,
So, dear Lord, help me watch with care
To whom I'd speak and what I'd say,
How I'd speak and when and where.
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That was such a kind and honest evaluation. I can't take all the credit for this particular poem though. I owe it to my mum - the first person to point out Prov. 15:1 to me in the Bible, and...

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16. My Creed

Edgar Guest inspires readers to live lives that are filled with integrity. He also shows the desire to live in a way that accepts things as they come and push through no matter the obstacles faced. We each have a set of rules and expectations that govern the way we live. Have you ever thought about what drives your day-to-day thoughts and actions? Edgar Guest (1881-1959) wrote many encouraging and motivational poems about life.
- By Edgar A. Guest
To live as gently as I can;
To be, no matter where, a man;
To take what comes of good or ill
And cling to faith and honor still;

To live as gently as I can;
To be, no matter where, a man;
To take what comes of good or ill
And cling to faith and honor still;
To do my best, and let that stand
The record of my brain and hand;
And then, should failure come to me,
Still work and hope for victory.

To have no secret place wherein
I stoop unseen to shame or sin;
To be the same when I'm alone
As when my every deed is known;
To live undaunted, unafraid
Of any step that I have made;
To be without pretense or sham
Exactly what men think I am.

To leave some simple mark behind
To keep my having lived in mind;
If enmity to aught I show,
To be an honest, generous foe,
To play my little part, nor whine
That greater honors are not mine.
This, I believe, is all I need
For my philosophy and creed.
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17. In The Garden Of Your Heart

I just turned 98 and am so grateful to be rational and positive in my thinking. I see so much of the opposite and often wonder what brings a person to that state of mind. Many things can contribute, but I think being self-centered is a big factor. Keeping an active mind is so essential. I've created over 1500 crossword puzzles, making one every night over the last years. Knowing they will be used to give others enjoyment is a happiness.
- By Alora M. Knight
- Published: January 2019 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
The Importance Of Thinking Positively

What seeds have you been planting
In the garden of your heart?
What will be forthcoming
When the germination starts?

What seeds have you been planting
In the garden of your heart?
What will be forthcoming
When the germination starts?

Thoughts are the seedlings that we use,
Of this there is no doubt.
The fertile soil within our minds,
We never are without.

If gracious thoughts are planted,
The returns will surely be
A harvest full of beauty,
Which you will plainly see.

If your thoughts are dark and dreary,
You are very apt to find
That weeds will soon be growing--
The most depressing kind.

Once they have gained a foothold,
They will not want to leave.
They'll thrive on your unhappiness,
Making sure that you will grieve.

It is hard to keep bad thoughts away;
Some are bound to filter in.
The thing that's so important
Is that you must sweep them out again

Before they get a chance to grow.
That way you're sure to find
Each day will be rewarding,
For you'll have peace of mind.
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I am suffering due to a deformity in my feet which I got in my teenage years. But I never gave up anything in life. I continued my studies and secured a good position in society. I got...

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18. It's Fine Today

In this world, we face troubles of many kinds. Things are not always going to go our way. Some people wallow in that misery, but others have a positive perspective and can push past the trouble they face. What makes the difference? Douglas Malloch (1877-1938) shares the answer in this poem. When we don’t focus on our problems, they get smaller and smaller. We can’t worry about what happened in the past or what could happen in the future. Instead, we need to look at what is positive for us today. Douglas Malloch came from simple roots, and that simplicity is seen in the dialect of this poem.
- By Douglas Malloch
Sure, this world is full of trouble
I ain't said it ain't.
Lord, I've had enough and double
Reason for complaint;

Sure, this world is full of trouble
I ain't said it ain't.
Lord, I've had enough and double
Reason for complaint;
Rain and storm have come to fret me,
Skies are often gray;
Thorns and brambles have beset me
On the road — but say,
Ain't it fine today?

What's the use of always weepin',
Making trouble last?
What's the use of always keepin'
Thinkin' of the past?
Each must have his tribulation —
Water with his wine;
Life, it ain't no celebration,
Trouble? — I've had mine —
But today is fine!

It's today that I am livin',
Not a month ago.
Havin'; losin'; takin'; givin';
As time wills it so.
Yesterday a cloud of sorrow
Fell across the way,
It may rain again tomorrow,
It may rain — but say,
Ain't it fine today?
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Wow, this poem gives a cool perspective on life. This poem makes one realize worrying doesn't help.

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19. Holidays

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an American poet who lived from 1807-1882. He experienced tragedy in his life with the unexpected death of two wives. In this poem, he shows that we all have special moments in our lives that we celebrate, and they become our own personal holidays. They are days to remember certain people or events that have impacted our lives. Longfellow uses similes in this poem to show the purity of those meaningful holidays.
- By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The holiest of all holidays are those
Kept by ourselves in silence and apart;
The secret anniversaries of the heart,
When the full river of feeling overflows;--

The holiest of all holidays are those
Kept by ourselves in silence and apart;
The secret anniversaries of the heart,
When the full river of feeling overflows;--
The happy days unclouded to their close;
The sudden joys that out of darkness start
As flames from ashes; swift desires that dart
Like swallows singing down each wind that blows!
White as the gleam of a receding sail,
White as a cloud that floats and fades in air,
White as the whitest lily on a stream,
These tender memories are;--a fairy tale
Of some enchanted land we know not where,
But lovely as a landscape in a dream.
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20. Everyone Is Searching

My name is Danielle. I'm a teen poet and artist. My poem "Everyone is Searching" is about humanity as a whole. It's about yearning and looking, of wanting and needing. It's about basic human desire and the drive behind human greed. My poem explores this idea of what we are really looking for and why we need more. Whether it be love or money, everybody is searching. Everybody wants to find happiness. Not many realize they have all they need. Not until it's gone.
- By Danielle L. Somack
- Published: December 2019 by Family Friend Poems with the permission of the Author.
Poem About Searching For Happiness

Everyone is searching
for the missing piece in life.
The key to unlock the door
and steal back all lost time.

Everyone is searching
for the missing piece in life.
The key to unlock the door
and steal back all lost time.
Searching, looking, restless,
scanning every crack and crevice,
lying awake at night,
dreamless, empty presence.
Your broken heart
from years and years
lets laughter fall onto
your deaf ears.
No happiness is enough.
No joy can be felt.
Everyone is searching
for something to heal themselves,
yet no medicine is strong enough,
no key can ever be turned
to give us what we want the most,
to give us what we yearn.
The thing we want is an illusion.
Our perceptions are distorted.
The Snow Queen's looking glass
when it dropped and shattered.
All is worth what we rate it,
all ranked by how we place it.
Chasing what cannot be found
instead of choosing to be content.
Wanting what we do not have,
a dream that cannot be,
a masterpiece of mirages,
all too soon we believe.
When will we begin
to accept what is here?
The present day in which we live,
not the past or future.
When will we stop searching
and decide we don't need more?
Only then we will find
what we've been looking for.
The good you have is here,
yet you keep looking on,
never realizing what you had
until it is gone.
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This is such a perceptive and mature poem from one so young. Her message in this poem is "Happiness is knowing when you have enough. Be thankful and grateful for what you have."

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Seasonal Poetry Collections

Meaningful Poems

Meaning of Life Poems

71 Deep Poems about Life

1. The Invitation

2. The True Meaning Of Life

I have been through hard times, I've struggled like everyone else to find contentment, peace, and an understanding of what life is really about. I believe age has everything to do with finally knowing what life is really about, which is who we are and not what we have.

3. My Credo Of Life

This is my philosophy of life and how to live it. Experience every moment, stay open minded, and cherish life for all that it is.

4. A Fleeting Image

5. A Psalm Of Life

6. Memory Album

How dull life would be without our memories for company. For some, memories are all they have.

7. Leisure

8. What Life Should Be

This is what I've decided life is about. At an older age now, I think a great deal about what life is for.

9. The Choice Is Mine

I've had my share of troubles in life, though not as much as some have had. But I've discovered that happiness - or a lack of it - never really comes from my friends or foes. Although they do influence it, it's really up to me.

10. Perfection

The poem "Perfection" describes how I feel that we all follow the same path. I wrote this piece when I realized I was different than everyone else and would notice others changing to make themselves "fit in."

11. Remember Me

Everyone wants to be remembered when they leave this world. I wrote this because we only have today. Tomorrow we are not promised. I learned that the hard way when I lost my mom. I know if she could have, these are some of the things she would have said.

12. A Day Away

13. Remember

Useful advice about living life. It describes how to make it through the difficult times and make a meaningful life.

14. Remembering Will Have To Do

Wouldn't it be nice to have a picture book created of your life and all the beautiful moments that have passed so during hard times you can still find peace and joy?

15. Something To Tame

I think once in a while we all need a simple reminder of the power of the tongue.

16. My Creed

17. In The Garden Of Your Heart

18. It's Fine Today

19. Holidays

20. Everyone Is Searching