I made a promise coming into the school year. I would keep my head, do only what I can, and not flounder. I won’t let things get me down. I find solace in writing, nature, with Kathy, and in reading poetry. Some days I just open a book and find a poem which speaks to me in such a clear voice I think the poet stands or sits across from me sharing their words. That is what happened with this poem by Vaclav Havel.
It is I who must begin,
Once I begin, once I try—
here and now,
right where I am,
not excusing myself
by saying that things
would be easier elsewhere,
without grand speeches and
ostentatious gestures,
but all the more persistently
—to live in harmony
with the “voice of Being,” as I
understand it within myself
—as soon as I begin that,
I suddenly discover,
to my surprise, that
I am neither the only one,
nor the first,
nor the most important one
to have set out upon the road.
Whether all is really lost
or not depends entirely on
whether or not I am lost.
How true, Ivon… How true..
I agree. He was an amazing and gifted person. His wisdom fortunately is still with us.
wonderful stuff from a wonderful man… if only all presidents were like him!!!!
He was a poet, writer, and creative genius who became a president without losing his humanity.
“without speeches and ostentatious gestures…”
Those are pretty challenging and humbling words he presented us with.
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Great poem to share with us all. Thank you.
Thank you David.
These words inspired and humbled me at the same time. It speaks of personal responsibility and integrity and how each of us must make that decision to first transform ourselves. Make that change. Be that change. Thank you Ivon. Sharon
You are welcome Sharon.
very nice
Hello,
Please can you tell me where I can find the original Czech version of this wonderful poem?
I am not sure. I have only seen the poem in English, but I am sure it would have been written in Czech originally. I tried a couple of searches but did not find anything.