Michael Jackson and Poetry

10 months after his passing we miss him more...

Here are two of Michael's favorite poems. A woman who worked with MJ for nearly 2 decades  and who received several personal items of him every year to be sold for her charity project posted the poems on flickr.
I hope you enjoy reading them and to discuss their meaning and depth.



THE INEVITABLE
By Sarah Knowles Bolton

I LIKE the man who faces what he must
With step triumphant and a heart of cheer;
Who fights the daily battle without fear;
Sees his hopes fail, yet keeps unfaltering trust
That God is God,—that somehow, true and just
His plans work out for mortals; not a tear
Is shed when fortune, which the world holds dear,
Falls from his grasp—better, with love, a crust
Than living in dishonor; envies not,
Nor loses faith in man; but does his best,
Nor ever murmurs at his humbler lot;
But, with a smile and words of hope, gives zest
To every toiler. He alone is great
Who by a life heroic conquers fate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

COURAGE
By Thomas F. Porter

What if the morn no joy to you shall bring,
No gleam of sunbeam shine across your way;
What if no bird one joyous note shall sing
Into your listening ear through all the day!

What if no word of comfort you shall hear
As through the hours long you toil and strive;
What if to you no vision bright appear
To keep your hungry heart and soul alive!

What if the blest companionship men crave
Come not to you through all the day’s long length,
But bound and fettered even as a slave,
Within yourself you have to find your strength!

And if, when you have toiled and wrought alone,
The sweet reward you sought you do not gain,
And find the hoped-for bread is but stone,
In that sad hour for grief, should you complain?

Ah no! It matters not if shade or sun,
Or good or ill, your efforts shall attend;
In doing you have but your duty done
As best you knew ~ and should do to the end.