Life Poems: A Selection Of The
Best Poems of Inspiration

For my birthday, a friend of mine gave me a short poetic quote that has become a favorite life poem of mine. It sits in a framed stand on my desk:

This says it all very eloquently. Today is the only day that really matters. I find most life poetry pieces have a similar message to us.

The selections of verses featured below encompass values such as honesty, courage, kindness, success, generosity, knowledge, respect, faith, encouragement, and humility.

I have carefully chosen these specific life poems for the delightful way in which they impart knowledgeable wisdom and how their poetic verses encourage all of us to be the best that we can be.

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December 31 by S.E. Kiser
Instead of New Year's resolutions, December 31 is the ideal time to look back over the past year and be thankful for what was good in your life.

Four Things by Henry Van Dyke
In this verse the poet asks us to define the qualities of ideal manhood (or womanhood).

Good Intentions by St. Clair Adams
We're all familiar with the saying - the road to hell is paved with good intentions. This poem remind us to match our intentions with our deeds to do good.

Hope by Annonymous
Motivate yourself by reading material that focus on hope and encouragement when things seem at their gloomiest.

How Did You Die by Edmund Vance Cooke
When you are ready to look back on your life... did you live it well?

How Do You Tackle Your Work? by Edgar A. Guest
How you really tackle your work can make the difference in your level of success. Confidence and a plan is what this poem emphasizes.

If by Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling teaches us that success comes from self-control and staying focused on the goal.

It Couldn't Be Done by Edgar A. Guest
How often do you hear people say - it coudn't be done - and yet someone went ahead and did it anyway? Gain the courage and fortitude to do what many may think is impossible.

It's Fine Today by Douglas Malloch
Malloch makes a fine point in that we should realize that right here, right now, today... we are just fine in this moment.

Just Whistle by Frank L. Stanton
Just Whistle is a wonderful carefree poem where Stanton poetically explains about the psychological benefit derived from the mere physical act of whistling.

Life and Death by Ernest H. Crosby
This verse asks a very important question - while you may be willing to die for someone... are you also willing to live for them?

Loose the Day Loitering by Johann Wolfgang
Understanding why it is important to begin - and finish - an unpleasant task as soon as possible, so it doesn't weigh you down. This is how success is achieved.

Might Have Been by Grantland Rice
Might Have Been encourages us to look at now, not what has passed. Because what might have been isn't as important as what could be starting today.

One of These Days by James Foley
This James Foley poem encourages us not to look back and repeat our past over and over again, but to begin looking forward at what we really desire.

Opportunity by William Shakespeare
Be aware that when life is going well and things seem to fall into place, you are in the free-flowing current of a wonderful river.

Opportunity by Edward Rowland Sill
For every one of us the materials for achievement are sufficient. The spirit that prompts us is what ultimately counts.

Opportunity by Berton Braley
The world is full of opportunities, but it takes the discernment to perceive them, courage to undertake what needs to be done, and the patience to carry through.

Opportunity by Walter Malone
No matter how someone may have failed in the past, the door of opportunity is always open to them.

Out In the Fields by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
It's important to learn how to let go of your worries and frustrations; to take the time to play and enjoy the abundance of life around you right now.

Ownership by St. Clair Adams
Life poems such as Ownership provide us with insight in that the true value of anything lies not in the possession of having it, but in our attitude of aquiring it.

Philosophy For Croakers by Joseph Morris
Life poems not only point out what's great and inspiring about our world, but they also make us realize how much complaining we may be doing - and our need to stop it.

Ring Out Wild Bells by Alfred Tennyson
This great New Year's piece belongs almost as well to every day in the year, since it expresses a social ideal of justice and happiness.

See It Through by Edgar A. Guest
You can gain many insights from Guest's motivational life poems, such as this one. Understand that there will always appear to be problems. Running won't help. Take a stand and see it through and you will come out ahead everytime.

Start Where You Stand by Berton Braley
Here is a reminder that we shouldn't always judge the actions of others from the mistakes they made in the past.

The Grumpy Guy by Griffith Alexander
When we focus completely on a situation or object, we can learn a tremendous amount about life and living it fully.

The Has Beens by Walt Mason
Some people are on top of the world. Some were there and have hit rock bottom. Everyone has the potential to aquire the life they dreamed of - even has-beens.

The Joy of Living by Gamaliel Bradford
Stop and look at the world with new eyes. Inspiring life poems will often take you on a journey through nature to learn about the true joy of living.

The Lion Path by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
The Lion Path is one of those life poems that shows us that often what we believe to be true... is true - but only for ourselves.

The One by Everard Jack Appleton
The One walks us through our life, when in youth we envisioned success, prominence, and more. Just know, that those dreams are still possible to achieve.

The Rectifying Years by St. Clair Adams
Time brings the deeper understanding that clears up our misconceptions. Life has it's ups and downs; we enter a phase, we deal with it, it passes, and we move on.

Things That Haven't Been Done Before by Edgar A. Guest
Many people are unthinking imitators, blind to the facts and opportunities that are around them. Often, someone has to do something first before others realize they can do it too. Don't be a sheep... be the initiator.

The Welcome Man by Walt Mason
The Welcome Man teaches us the life lesson that it's better to be the person who gets things done, than to be the one who sits by and let's other do it.

The Winds of Fate by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
This is one of those motivational life poems that encourage you to set your focus on a goal, and then to keep moving toward it come what may.

The World Is Against Me by Edgar A. Guest
Discover what can be done when you work long enough with a brave enough heart.

Unsubdued by S.E. Kiser
No matter what your past failures, you can always begin again tomorrow, which is a completely fresh and new canvas to paint on.

When Nature Wants a Man by Angela Morgan
Only melting and hammering can shape and temper steel for fine use. Only struggle and suffering can give a man the qualities that enable him to render large service to humanity.

Wishing by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
This life poem shows us that the person who wishes improvement strongly enough to set to work on themselves is the one who will obtain results.

Work by Henry Van Dyke
So do we often lose the substance--the joy--of our work by longing for tasks we think better fitted to our capabilities.

Work A Song of Triumph by Angela Morgan
Life poems such as this helps us to understand that work gives us an outlet from sorrow, ripens and refines character, encourages cooperation, and when well done, brings to life its consummate satisfaction.

Yesterday Today Tomorrow by "Unknown"
There are many life poems that make very valid points... ones that if we would only pay attention to, our lives would be so much easier and joyful. This is one of them.

Life is meaningless... until YOU add meaning TO it!
Discover a better way of living right now...
just like I did...and just like these people did...