A POEM ABOUT CHARITIES

 

                                A POEM ABOUT CHARITIES 

            Charity is defined as generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy. It can be the quality of an individual as well as of a group of people. .  

 

            The term public charities is used for organizations that provide direct support in various social fields.

             However, in every society, we also find a number of noble people who regularly render philanthropic services.  

 

            The poem which is reproduced below is slightly different. It   asserts that “It is not the rich and noble who can be generous and kind. Even those who are poor can help others by their kind thoughts and good actions. God does not make a difference between the offerings of the rich and those of the poor.”

 

            The title of the poem is BELIEVE IT OR NOT. It is written by the English romantic poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850).  He is famous for his  extensive spiritual love of nature.  As a literary critic put it: He saw nature as a powerful force that could nurture, educate, and inspire humans.

 

            One of his famous quotes is: Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.

            Here is the full text of the poem BELIEVE IT OR NOT:

The charities that soothe and heal, and bless,

Are scattered at the feet of man like flowers.

The generous inclination, the just rule,

Kind wishes, and good actions, and pure thoughts;

No mystery is here, ---no special boon

For high and not for low, ---for proudly graced,

And not for meek of heart. The smoke ascends

To heaven as lightly from the cottage hearth

As from the haughty palace.

                                                ********

G.R.Kanwal

31^st July 2025