LIFE’S MIRROR

LIFE’S   MIRROR

‘Life’s Mirror’ is a poem written by  American poet and author Madeline Bridges,  pen name of Mary Ainge De Vere (1844-1920).   She was born in Brooklyn and worked as Professor of Music Education in the School of Music at Belmont University.

            Madeline was a life-long poet. She was a prolific author who wrote a large number of poems and songs which are all-time popular. Two of her famous books are ‘Sing Together Children’ and ‘How to Lead Children’s Choir’.

             Her lyrical poem reproduced below is included in the anthologies of best loved poems of the world. The word ‘Mirror’ in the title of the poem is symbolic of literal as well as of figurative reflection, that is, not only our own mundane thoughts and deeds but also of spiritual truth, illumination, awareness and wisdom.

The whole poem is ‘A Thing of Beauty’ which as John Keats (1795-1821)  said in his long poem ‘Endymion’ is  a  joy for ever. Its loveliness increases.It will never pass into nothingness; but still will keep a bower quiet for us, and a sleep full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.     

             The poem reads as follows:

THERE ARE LOYAL HEARTS, there are spirits brave,

There are souls that are pure and true;

Then give to the world the best you have,

And the best will come back to you. 

Give love, and love to your life will flow,

A strength in your utmost need;

Have faith, and a score of hearts will show

Their faith in your word and deed.

Give truth, and your gift will be paid in kind,

And honor will honor meet;

And a smile that is sweet will surely find

A smile that is just as sweet 

Give sorrow and pity to those who mourn;

You will gather in flowers again

The scattered seeds of your thought outborne,

Though the sowing seemed but vain.

For life is the mirror of king, and slave----

‘Tis just what we are and do;

Then to the world the best you have,

And the best will come back to you.

           

            The moral of the poem is summed up in the last two lines.  To put it briefly, it is equivalent of ‘Do good and have good’ or ‘As you sow, so shall you reap’.

29^th November 2019                                ---G.R.KANWAL