One of Myron’s Favorite Poems

23 Apr 2024 · 1 min

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A short transcript of Myron introducing and reciting a poem he learned in his twenties, which contrasts humble bargaining with life against striving for more. After recitation he reflects that the poem challenged him and urges listeners to ask for more from life and to shape their opportunities into stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks.

Chapters

This is one of my favorite poems. I learned it when I was in my twenties. Isn't it funny how princes and kings and clowns who caper in sawdust rings and common folks like you and me we're all builders for eternity to each is given a book of rules A block of stone and a bag of tool and each must shape ere time has flown A stumbling block or a stepping stone I bargained with life for a penny and life would pay no more However I begged at evening when I counted my scanty store for life as a just employer it pays you what you ask but once you have set the wages Then you must bear the task I worked for a menial's hire Only to learn dismayed at any wage I had asked of life life would have willingly paid hopefully this poem does in you what it did in me. Hopefully it challenges you to go out into life and ask for more than you ever dreamed possible before.