Saturday Poetry Corner: Courage

 

 

 

 "Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
(Joshua 1:9) 

 

 

The Problem We All Live With
(1964)
Norman Rockwell
American artist

Courage isn't a brilliant dash,

A daring deed in a moment's flash; 

 

It isn't an instantaneous thing

 

Born of despair with a sudden spring

 

It isn't a creature of flickered hope

 

Or the final tug at a slipping rope;

 

But it's something deep in the soul of man

 

That is working always to serve some plan. 

 

Courage isn't the last resort

 

In the work of life or in the game of sport;

 

It isn't a thing that a man can call

 

At some future time when he's apt to fall;

 

If he hasn't it now, he will have it not

 

When the strain is great and the pace is hot.

 

For who would strive for a distant goal

 

Must always have courage within his soul. 

 

 

Courage isn't a dazzling light

 

That flashes and passes away from sight;

 

It's a slow, unwavering, ingrained trait

 

With the patience to work and the strength to wait. 

 

It's part of a man when his skies are blue,

 

It's part of him when he has work to do. 

 

The brave man never is freed of it.

 

He has it when there is no need of it. 

 

 

Courage was never designed for show;

 

It isn't a thing that can come and go;

 

It's written in victory and defeat

 

And every trial a man may meet.

 

It's part of his hours, his days, and his years, 

 

Back of his smiles and behind his tears.

 

Courage is more than a daring deed:

 

It's the breath of life and a strong man's creed. 

"Courage"
Edgar Albert Guest
(1881-1959)
British-born American poet
Known as the "People's Poet"

for his optimistic and inspirational writings

 

 

 

 

"Courage In Art"

 

 

"The Problem We All Live With" is an iconic painting by American artist Norman Rockwell,
and inspired by a courageous six year old black girl named Ruby Bridges, being escorted 
by US Marshals to her first day of class at William Frantz Elementary School, an all-white
 public school, on November 14, 1960, during the school desegregation crisis in New Orleans.  

 

Although Rockwell received "sacks of disapproving mail" after the painting was published
 as a centerfold in the January 14, 1964 edition of Look Magazine,  with one letter accusing
 him of being a "race traitor", as an adult, Ruby Bridges expressed admiration for the artist 
in creating the painting during the turbulent years of the Civil Rights Movement in America.

 

"Here was a man that had been doing lots of work, painting family images, and all of a sudden 
decided this is what I'm going to do," said Ms. Bridges, "The mere fact that Norman Rockwell
 had enough courage to step up to the plate and say I'm going to make a statement, and he did it in
 a powerful way. Even though I had not had an opportunity to meet him, I commend him for that."