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“Touching Shoulders” by Unknown
“Touching Shoulders” by Unknown

“Touching Shoulders” by Unknown

There’s a comforting thought at the close of the day, When I’m weary and lonely and sad, That sort of grips hold of my crusty old heart And bids it be merry and glad.

It gets in my soul and it drives out the blues, And finally thrills through and through. It is just a sweet memory that chants the refrain: “I’m glad I touch shoulders with you!”

Did you know you were brave, did you know you were strong? Did you know there was one leaning hard? Did you know that I waited and listened and prayed, And was cheered by your simplest word?

Did you know that I longed for that smile on your face, For the sound of your voice ringing true? Did you know I grew stronger and better because I had merely touched shoulders with you?

I am glad that I live, that I battle and strive For the place that I know I must fill; I am thankful for sorrows, I’ll meet with a grin What fortune may send, good or ill.

I may not have wealth, I may not be great, But I know I shall always be true, For I have in my life that courage you gave When once I rubbed shoulders with you.

–Unknown HT: Elizabeth M Poem from Madras.com. Also on ABCN.com.

2 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    I Was Dead

    i was dead
    i came alive
    i was tears
    i became laughter

    all because of love
    when it arrived
    my temporal life
    from then on
    changed to eternal

    love said to me
    you are not
    crazy enough
    you don’t
    fit this house

    i went and
    became crazy
    crazy enough
    to be in chains

    love said
    you are not
    intoxicated enough
    you don’t
    fit the group

    i went and
    got drunk
    drunk enough
    to overflow
    with light-headedness

    love said
    you are still
    too clever
    filled with
    imagination and skepticism

    i went and
    became gullible
    and in fright
    pulled away
    from it all

    love said
    you are a candle
    attracting everyone
    gathering every one
    around you

    i am no more
    a candle spreading light
    i gather no more crowds
    and like smoke
    i am all scattered now

    love said
    you are a teacher
    you are a head
    and for everyone
    you are a leader

    i am no more
    not a teacher
    not a leader
    just a servant
    to your wishes

    love said
    you already have
    your own wings
    i will not give you
    more feathers

    and then my heart
    pulled itself apart
    and filled to the brim
    with a new light
    overflowed with fresh life

    now even the heavens
    are thankful that
    because of you
    i have become
    the giver of light

    Mystical Poems of Rumi

    TRIBUTE ON … A VERY REAL PERSON

    People are of two kinds, and he
    Was the kind I’d like to be.
    Some preach their virtues, and a few
    Express their lives by what they do;
    That sort was he. No flowery phrase
    Or glibly spoken word of praise
    Won friends for him. He wasn’t cheap
    Or shallow, but his course ran deep,
    And it was pure. You know the kind.
    Not many in life you find
    Whose deeds outrun their words so far
    That more than what they seem, they are.

    –Unknown

  2. Anonymous

    Loss And Gain,

    When I compare
    What I have lost with what I have gained,
    What I have missed with what attained,
    Little room do I find for pride.

    I am aware
    How many days have been idly spent;
    How like an arrow the good intent
    Has fallen short or been turned aside.

    But who shall dare
    To measure loss and gain in this wise?
    Defeat may be victory in disguise;
    The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide.

    Henry Longfellow

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