Summaries

         

"The Blessing of God"

(Cecil Alexander)

"Nature is the volume of which Allah is the author"

“The Blessing of God” is a thought provoking and thanks giving poem written by “Cecil Alexander”. She describes Allah’s glory and grandeur by mentioning his beautiful creations – the colourful flowers, the flowing rivers, the tall trees, singing birds , high purple-headed mountains, the meadows, the charming scenes of sunset and sunrise and the novel variety of ever changing scenes . He has also produced delicious ripe fruit. Allah has shaped and given existence to everything, great and small. They are also rendering valuable services to man, in one way or the other.

"Absolutely, Allah over powers each and every thing"

(Al Quran)

As a matter of fact, the poetess urges us to get at the reality that we should always remain conscious of God’s blessing and attend to him and offer his prayers.

          "Which of it the favours of yours LORD will ye deny?”

          (Al Rehman)

Not only have all these blessings been bestowed and showered upon us, God has also given us eyes to see the sight/scene of this beautiful world. He has blessed us with tongue and the lips to sing his hymn.

"All praises are for Allah, the Benefactor of all the worlds"

(Al Fateha)

The poetess stresses upon the fact that Allah is present in each and every object of nature as he is omnipresent. So, we should always be grateful to the Almighty Allah and feel obliged for his countless blessings.

“God gives and forgives,

Man gets and forgets”

“A Nation’s Strength”

(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

The poem “A Nation’s Strength” is an inspiring, thought provoking great piece of art written by the poet of English literature Ralph Waldo Emerson. The poet conveys his message in a very simple, lucid but natural and convincing manner. According to the poet, treasures of wealth and piles of gold and silver have nothing to do with the greatness of a nation. The real strength lies in its men, who uphold the cause of truth and honor.

"I would like to see a man live so that his place will proud of him"

 (Abraham Lincoln)  

 Such man are brave, truthful, steadfast and courageous, who face the hardships and intricate situations. The poet says in the poem; -

"Men who for truth and honour sake

Stand fast and suffer long"

The poet narrates that those people who are lazy and stale and weary cannot bring revolution in the society only those people who are selfless, honest, dynamic and enthusiastic they are the real asset of the nation who make the pillars deep and lift the nation to the skies of prosperity. The poet says in the poem; -

"They build a nation pillars deep

And lift them to the sky"

How beautifully has Seneca said that:-

"Men love their country not because

it is great but because its their own"

 “The Character of a Happy Life”

(Henry Wotton)

          This short beautiful poem “The Character of a Happy Life” has been written by a famous poet of English literature “Henry Wotton”. He describes different qualities which characterize a happy life. He says that real happiness lies in being born free and in being taught that man is born free. Neither he works under the command of others, nor does he yield to outside pressures.

“Whose armour is his honest thought

And simple truth his utmost skill”

          Honest thoughts provide him best protection against all dangers and he believes that truthfulness is the only skill that ensures happiness in this world. Such a man does not allow his passions to rule him. He is not afraid of death, rather he takes it courageously.

“Death is the crown of life”

          He is not concerned with public fames or private and materialistic gains. He is good at heart, has no ill-will against anyone and spreads the message of love and fraternity. His conscience acts as a fort for him and always shows him the right path to be followed. He leads a rumour life and is not impressed by oily tongue of flatterers. He spends his leisure time in reading religious books or in the company of a good friend. The character says

“I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires than in attempting to satisfy them”   

          In the end the poet describes that he is the master of himself, not of land has nothing yet hath all he needs. The poet in this very beautiful and moralistic poem wants to give us that we should lead our life as a free person and should never budge an inch from the principle of goodness. How happy is a person who has love for all and malice for none.

“And having nothing yet hath all”

“A Fragment”

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

          The short, thought provoking, beautiful poem “A Fragment” has been written by a famous poet of English literature Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  This poem is a true reflection of the saying

“Early to bed, early to rise

Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”

          It is a piece of advice for the late risers for the late risers to wake up early in the morning and welcome the angels who knock at the door to shower the blessings of Allah. If the angels are once departed they would never come back again. Hence, the poets want to say that the opportunity once missed cannot be sought. It means that one should not waste time.

“Time and Tide, wait for none”

          The poet inspires the readers to make the best use of their skills and capabilities, at the right time, in a proper way. Otherwise he will lose his strength and become useless like barren land which cannot produce anything useful but the weeds only. A man should make sincere efforts to achieve his goals or else he will have to face failures in every sphere of life. So, in short, early rising is the key that unlocks all the avenues of success. It has been rightly said,

“Gain time, gain life”

          The poet has successfully conveyed his message through this short beautiful poem. The language of this poem is very easy and understandable.

“Time once passed cannot be recalled”

 

“A Little Word”

(Anonymous)

          The short beautiful poem “A Little Word” has been written by an anonymous poet of English literature. This poem is an illustration of the saying:

“Always think before you speak”

          The significance of the seemingly small words in one’s life and the behaviour of the people towards their fellow beings has been beautifully described in this poem. Words are weighed and cannot be counted. A few of them, has so much power that can bring revolution in one’s life. Words are the basic medium, through which thoughts and ideas are conveyed and expressed. Therefore, the poet advises the people to use sincere, kind and sympathetic words. A little timely appreciative and encouraging remark can win a friends heart and can soften the hearts of enemies as well.

“Words are the most powerful drugs ever used by mankind”

          Contrary to it a harsh word may cause harm to a tender heart or shatter it like a flower, if mishandled in its blooming stage.  It is rightly said,

“The injury caused by a harsh word is more severe than the injury caused by a sword”

          Hence, the words should be chosen carefully and not be considered a useless or petty thing. Such misused or recklessly chosen words have the power to bring despair and sorrow in a man’s life. At the same time, well chosen, and appropriately selected words can win one’s lasting friendship and strengthen faith in humanity and love for mankind.

“Kind words are small but their echoes are endless”

“My Mother”

(Ann Taylor)

          The poem “My Mother” pays a rich tribute to motherly affection. Without it, all the colours of the universe become dull. The comfort that a child gets from this purest and holiest form of passion can not be attained from anything of the world. Mother remains the focus of the child’s thoughts and source of inspirations all the time. In fact, there is no substitute for this precious gift to nature.

“A mother is a mother

Still the holiest thing alive”

          The poetess in the most beautiful and choicest words recalls the days of her childhood. Her mother used to look after her when she dozed off in her cot and looked at her with tears of affection in her eyes. She dressed her up in beautiful and nice costumes, trained her how to play games and cultivated in her a refined knack of speech. Whenever she stumbled or fell down, her mother would rush to lift her, comfort her with sweet kisses and tell pretty tales. In fact, mother’s love for her is unfathomable.

“I love my mother as trees

love water and sunshine”

(Terri Guillimets)

          Rosy cheeks come in the scythe of time and good glamorous faces fall prey to wrinkles. Her mother has become feeble and infirm and her hair has turned grey. She has reached an age and stage where she deserves to be nursed. The poetess realizes her duties towards her dear mother and she assures that she would hold her in her strong arms and carry her in old age to soothe away the pains of her mother. It is really a humble service in return to her life long love and care for the poetess.

“Mother’s love is the fuel which enables human being to do the impossible”

(Marion C. Garretty)

          The poet is so deeply indebted to her mother that she asks the readers as to who was there except her mother, to do all this for her when she was only a helpless baby. She finishes the poem with the pledge to do whatever she could for providing all the comforts to her mother in her old age when she deserves her loving attention.

 “All that I am

Or hope to be

I owe to my angel mother”