November 2003

Speech to the Young

by Gwendolyn Brooks

Say to them,
say to the down-keepers,
the sun-slappers,
the harmony-hushers,
“Even if you are not ready for day
it cannot always be night.”
You will be right.
For that is the hard home-run.
Live not for battles won.
Live not for the-end-of-the-song.
Live in the along.