Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE THREE BEST THING: 1. WORK by HENRY VAN DYKE

First Line: LET ME BUT DO MY WORK FROM DAY TO DAY
Last Line: BECAUSE I KNOW FOR ME MY WORK IS BEST.
Subject(s): LABOR & LABORERS; RELIGION; WORK; WORKERS; THEOLOGY;

Let me but do my work from day to day,
In field or forest, at the desk or loom,
In roaring market-place, or tranquil room;
Let me but find it in my heart to say,
When vagrant wishes beckon me astray--
"This is my work; my blessing, not my doom;
Of all who live, I am the one by whom
This work can best be done, in the right way."
Then shall I see it not too great, nor small,
To suit my spirit and to prove my powers;
Then shall I cheerful greet the laboring hours,
And cheerful turn, when the long shadows fall
At eventide, to play and love and rest,
Because I know for me my work is best.



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