Preparedness by Edwin Markham

Preparedness
by
Edwin Markham

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

This poem is in the public domain.

Edwin Markham (1852 - 1940) was an American poet and essayist. A teacher, principal, and school superintendent early in his career, he eventually wrote eight books and served as Oregon's poet laureate. Forced to work as a farm laborer as a child, Edwin frequently spoke out against child labor and on behalf of the working class.

barbsteff:
Good advice! And I love short and to the point.
Posted 10/17/2019 12:54 PM

KevinArnold:
What a quatrain! It might be easier to be a hammer than an anvil, but we play both roles. Great find, Jayne.
Posted 10/17/2019 09:30 AM

cork:
It's nice to consider that our roles can shift from anvil to hammer.
Posted 10/17/2019 08:47 AM

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