Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Stay Gold

"Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay."
~Robert Frost
I was thinking about one of my favorite poems from childhood and how much of an impact it had on me. I had seen the movie The Outsiders after reading the book in school and I loved hearing Robert Frost's "Nothing Gold Can Stay". In my High School Senior year we were asked to hand in something about ourselves and what we wanted for the future to be posted next to our picture. I submitted this poem and wrote that my goal was to "stay gold". Yeah, I know it sounds a bit much for a high school kid, but the thing about this poem that always intrigued me was the challenge of keeping something "gold". I have learned that life is hard! Really hard! And there are many things that will be thrown our way that can alter our kind hearts and giving nature. People can become hardened by their life's journey. My goal back then still stands true to this day. Am I a saint? No! But I do try my best to "stay gold" as much as possible even when I may not feel the energy or heart to do so.

24 comments:

  1. Were you ever a girl scout, Mama Hen? We used to sing "Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold..." You definitely fit the bill for a "golden" friend in the blogosphere, and I thank you for all of the wonderful connections you have made for me and fellow bloggers thru your blog and Nestwork.

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  2. What a fantastic post (and the minute I read the title, my mind flashed to Outsiders ... LOVE that movie, and this poem always makes me cry because of it!) I always see the "gold" in you, Mama Hen, so I'd say you are definitely keeping true to your goal. REALLY love this post! (And thanks again, so very much, for having me in the nest today! It really means SO SO MUCH!!!)

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  3. What an excellent goal you had already as a high schooler! You inspire me with the gold you share all the time! Thanks so much for your encouraging comment for me today!

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  4. great post...and I LOVE that poem too :) You are truly a "gold" mother, so you've got that one covered!!

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  5. Beautiful poem and what a lovely post. It is hard to stay "gold" but being mindful of it really helps. Thanks for this beautiful reminder.

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  6. I love that poem, and that picture - I really wish the colors would change here - thanks for sharing!

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  7. Beautifully expressed and a lovely autumnal photo.

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  8. I love this post. Staying gold is something we should all aspire to be, because to me, it means trying to be the best person you can be.

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  9. Thank you for this encouraging post! What a great way to start my morning!

    http://pearlsandgreentea.blogspot.com/

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  10. I love that! It is hard to keep everything up and going but we know that we've only got one shot. Stay gold Mama Hen!

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  11. Mama Hen, YOU are gold! You make people and animals feel good everywhere. You try daily. You make the efforts. I see you writing amazing things on other women's blog sites to keep them motivated. You need to know that you are loved and supported and cherished by all who know you, in real life and in the bloggy life. You are gold, for sure!!

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  12. beautiful! I like that, "stay gold." I agree, we can easily become hardened if we don't choose joy. I'm with you, I'm not a saint but, I do try to choose joy every day so that I can be a light and enjoy life to the fullest. We only get one shot down here so why waste it right;)

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  13. Thought-provoking post. I'd never heard that poem before. Thanks.

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  14. I love Robert Frost! I've always thought of a "The Road Not Taken" as a poem that describes my approach to life. A friend read it at my wedding. I also love "Stopping by Woods on A Snowy Evening." I read and studied both in high school - so no, I don't think it's too much for a high school kid!

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  15. What a great post - just what I needed to read today. Thank you for sharing. :)

    ~Jessica~
    http://unnamedmasterpiece.blogspot.com

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  16. That poem is beautiful! This is such a stellar blog layout. Love it! :)

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  17. Beautiful poem!

    Blog
    http://www.peacefulislandmother.yolasite.com

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  18. Dear Mama Hen,

    Great minds must think alike - I just did a post on this poem a few days ago! It's always been one of my favorites too. Here is the direct link if you would like to check it out:

    http://create-with-joy.blogspot.com/2010/09/robert-frost-nothing-gold-can-stay.html

    Thanks so much for joining me at Create With Joy. I am now a follower of both of your fabulous blogs!

    Looking forward to getting to know you and hoping you'll be a regular visitor/contributor at CWJ!

    Hugs
    Ramona
    http://create-with-joy.blogspot.com

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  19. i enjoy Robert Frost's poems and this one is no exception!! lovely post Mama Hen!!

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  20. Beautiful, inspiring and uplifting :-).

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  21. Love this! I think you are doing it :)

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