How Did You Die?
Edmund Vance Cooke
(1866-1932)
Did you tackle that trouble that came your way
With a resolute heart and cheerful?
Or hide your face from the light of day
With a craven soul and fearful?
Oh, a trouble’s a ton, or a trouble’s an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it.
And it isn’t the fact that you’re hurt that counts,
But only how did you take it?
You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what’s that?
Come up with a smiling face.
It’s nothing against you to fall down flat,
But to lie there — that’s disgrace.
The harder you’re thrown, why the higher you bounce;
Be proud of your blackened eye!
It isn’t the fact that you’re licked that counts;
It’s how did you fight and why?
And though you be done to death, what then?
If you battled the best you could;
If you played your part in the world of men,
Why, the Critic will call it good.
Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,
And whether he’s slow or spry,
It isn’t the fact that you’re dead that counts,
But only, how did you die?
I love this poem. It asks the tough questions about life in general. Ponder for the moment. How would you answer this question?
Connie S Owens/Kirkpatrick is an ordained minister and a Kundalini/Practical Reiki Master. Connie holds a masters degree in psychology, has 20 years experience working with women and men in early recovery of substance abuse.
Connie resides in Southern California in a small rural community near the border of Mexico. She spends her time researching the latest in alternative healing, spending time with her pets, walking and communing with the world around her.
Connie believes in human rights, we are equal, and have the right to be treated with dignity and fairness. Connie signs and promotes petitions and other activist campaigns that further this belief.
Priestess Connie is her title. One she choose with pride. A priestess is a female version of a priest, one who is authorized to perform ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and other sacred ceremonies.
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