Courage
Courage is the price that Life exacts for granting peace.
The soul that knows it not, knows no release
From little things.
Knows not the livid loneliness of fear
Nor mountain heights where bitter joy can hear
The sound of wings.
How can Life grant us boon of living, compensate
For dull gray ugliness and pregnant hate
Unless we dare
The soul’s dominion? Each time we make a choice, we pay
With courage to behold resistless day
And count it fair.
— Amelia Earhart, 1927
appeared in Survey magazine
July 1, 1928 p. 60
Poetry Friday is at Mommy’s Favorite Children’s Books, I believe.
I’m counting this day “fair” because you posted this poem. The kicker was reading the poet’s name at the bottom. Yowza.
She flies a plan AND writes poems. I love it that she says courage is the price for peace.
I needed that today. Thanks.
Yes Yes Yes!
Wow! Multitalented lady. Very cool!
Fabulous!! I idolized her when I was little, but never knew she wrote poetry. Thanks so much!
Oh, this reminds me, wonderfully, of that slender, gorgeous A.E. novel, I was Amelia Earhardt. Read it if you haven’t. Especially the opening page.
Amelia Earhart wrote poetry????!!!!
This one gets copied and stuck on the wall for future readings. And for the days when I need this poem to remember how to count them as fair.
Funny how so many people find this one inspirational, and I manage to read it as tragic. Must be me. Or the biopic I saw that talked about her dark moods and whatnot. Because I’m not sure if she’s trying to inspire or just trying to work through the dark.
Kel, I think working through the dark is inspirational. At least that’s how I read it.
Tanita,
I never knew Earhart wrote poetry. Add her to the list of my literary heroines!
Thanks so much for posting this. I wasn’t familiar with it. All too often in life it’s easier NOT to be brave, to take the easy route, but it’s dulling, deadening. I’m reminded to be brave, to take risks, to be most alive.
Thanks, my friend.