Three Favorite Poems

Three Poems by Edwin Markham


Preparedness
For all your days prepare,
And meet them ever alike:
When you are the anvil, Bear--
When you are the hammer, Strike.


Outwitted
He drew a circle that shut me out--
Heretic, a rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in!

Duty

When Duty comes a-knocking at your gate
Welcome him in; for if you him bid wait
He will depart only to come once more
And bring seven other duties to your door

"Be yourself, everyone else is already taken." Oscar Wilde