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Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
This day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?
Did you give a cheerful greeting to the friend who came along?
Or a churlish sort of "Howdy" and then vanish in the throng?
Were you selfish pure and simple as you rushed along the way,
Or is someone mighty grateful for a deed you did today?
Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that's slipping fast,
That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said;
Does a man whose hopes were fading now with courage look ahead?
Did you waste the day, or lose it, was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness or a scar of discontent?
As you close your eyes in slumber do you think that God would say,
You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?
This poem is in the public domain.
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Edgar Guest (1881 - 1959) was born in England, but moved with his family to Detroit, Michigan, when he was ten years old. He worked for more than sixty years at the Detroit Free Press, publishing his first poem at the age of seventeen, then going on to become a reporter and columnist whose work was featured in hundreds of newspapers around the country. Edgar is said to have written some 11,000 poems during his lifetime, most of it sentimental, short, upbeat verse. Critics often derided his work, but America adored him. He was known as the "People's Poet," served as Michigan's poet laureate, hosted a long-running radio show and TV show, and published more than twenty books.
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Joan Luther:
This just popped up on my YouTube feed and I reread it here. What inspiration!
Posted 05/17/2023 08:32 AM
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Big rig:
Holy Hooters! This was very sad that it made me poop my pants!
Posted 06/03/2022 12:27 PM
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bing :
wow, this is deep
Posted 05/12/2021 10:54 AM
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mail@schoolbusmart.com:
I will always think of him as the Norman Rockwell of poetry. Wonderful stuff. Randy
Posted 02/18/2020 08:41 AM
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Tracers645:
Brilliant. So thought provoking!
Posted 02/17/2020 05:14 PM
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Janet Leahy:
What a great reminder of what counts in our lives.
Thanks for this one Jayne
Posted 02/17/2020 01:24 PM
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KevinArnold:
Oh my, a God who wants us to earn our tomorrows. That could be, I guess, Mr. Guest. I always think of Him hanging back, observing with a little detachment, seeing if I can hang in with Him for the long haul.
Posted 02/17/2020 09:11 AM
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cork:
Edgar is my hero.
Posted 02/17/2020 09:00 AM
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paradea:
This will always be the question!! Good poem!
Posted 02/17/2020 08:32 AM
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