Are you a child of the universe? I had to share this post again with this backstory.
I had some business on my university campus and as I stood in line, a young woman in front of me sported a tattoo with some of the words from this poem: “You are a child of the universe…” Both our jaws dropped when I asked her if this was from Desiderata, then finished the sentence, “…no less than the trees and the stars…” I was surprised I remembered it.
She must have picked up the poem from her parents, so much so that she dedicated those words n a tattoo on her shoulder and upper arm. Truly a throwback to the seventies!
If you were around in the 1970s, this poem was so popular that it became a song heard on the radio. If you were a hippie in the 1970s, this was also on your 8-track. 😉
As you read this, you will find it is as meaningful today as it was in the 70s, and as it was when it was initially written (1920s). The Latin for Desiderata means “desired things.”
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Author – Max Ehrmann (1872 – 1945)
Note: Due to copyright infringement issues, I have recently deleted several stanzas of the poem. Please Google the Desiderata poem for the words.
About this poem:
Desiderata was apparently written between 1906 & 1920 by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945), who copyrighted the piece in 1927. The confusion about the authorship of this poem is due to its distribution by Reverend Frederick Kates within a collection of works for his congregation in 1959. The church notepaper was headed “The Old St Paul’s Church, Baltimore, AD 1692”. As the poem became more widely circulated, it came to be assumed that the poem originated in this old church, which was founded in 1692.
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38 responses to “Desiderata–You Are a Child of the Universe”
A wonderful poem, one I memorized in college as did most of my friends. We young hippie activists felt ourselves to be children of the universe. I can no longer recite the entire poem by heart but always recognize passages. It’s timeless in its message.
BTW, because Max Ehrmann gave it as a gift to Rev. Kates who published it, but his family wanted its copyright honored, its proprietary rights have been argued in the courts. It was finally declared to be in the public domain. It’s unfortunate that something so meaningful became the center of a legal dispute for many years.
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It does have a long, strange legacy, that only we Boomers could instigate. Do you remember it was a song in 1972 to the words, that’s how I remembered many of the words. Still a classic poem.
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I vaguely remember the song. Mostly I remember my friends reciting it, which is why I learned it.
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My Favorite Poem…Good piece of trivia to know, thanks…
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Thank you!
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Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often.
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Oh wow, this takes me way back. I had a copy (burned around the edges) decoupaged onto a board hanging on my bedroom wall. So beautiful. Thanks for the memory.
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Oh cool, I actually had the LP record (remember those?). now called vinyl 🙂
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I remember that… but I couldn’t recite it like I could in college. Somehow I think the words mean even more now that I am older and (I hope) wiser.
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I didn’t know it and loved it. Thanks for sharing it. Very deep and meaningful.
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Thanks for re-posting!!!! Happy weekend!
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To you as well!
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Maybe this song didn’t get much air time in 1970s Arkansas? Portions of it seemed familiar, but I had never heard the whole thing until now; much wisdom here. (I love your new Profile picture, by the way!)
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Hey Sandi, nice to “see” you! The poem was around a long time, the song played on AM radio mid-70s. Helped me memorize most of the poem 🙂 And thank you!
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I particularly like, “This is a beautiful world” because it is. 🙂
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My niece (a neo-hippy) is in a horrible relationship. I think much of the problem has stemmed from abysmal self-esteem, believing someone has to rescue her, not understanding how important it is for her to rescue herself. I made her a journal and wrote one line of this on every other page and gave her directions for reflecting on the line at the top of the page. To my great surprise (and happiness!) it seems to be helping her wake up to the fact that she is a valuable person and needs to take action to protect herself and her future. I don’t even like it that much, honestly. It became so cliché back in the day. Still that does not diminish its usefulness or power or truth.
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That was a great idea for a journal. So many of the verses help me with random things even 40 years later. I would recall one line “gracefully surrendering the things of youth” as I got older to discard old toys, etc. Very freeing. Thanks for your comment!
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I have always loved this it has always had the effect of quietening my mind and tongue and helps me to focus on the amazing gifts found in silence, must make sure to read it more often so happy to have come across this again here. Kind regards Kathy.
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Thank you Kathy. I actually had the record (LP) and practically memorized it. It was a cool song too.
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I had forgotten this song. The sentiment is beautiful and resonates truth even today. Thanks for reintroducing it!
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I remember this well although I’m more a child of the 60s than the 70s. I became part of the hippie culture not by age but by participation! hahahaha… guess I still am. Thanks for the post. I hadn’t seen the poem in a long time.
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Reblogged this on Retirement Lifestyle and commented:
Desiderata–You Are a Child of the Universe
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Thanks Terri, for sharing, this was wonderfully meaning full. To learn and understand the history of the poem is amazing.
Thanks again for posting.
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Enjoyed revisiting desiderata , which I first sighted over a decade ago when a friend conveyed it to me as a farewell message . the lines are almost prayer-like , edifying and uplifting the spirit….best wishes…raj
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Yes, I remember this (from those times…). I even remember a parody version offered by National Lampoon. It was a good reminder to “Strive to be Happy”.
I remember something about “Hairy thunderer or cosmic muffin” and “Take heart amid the deepening gloom that your dog is finally getting enough cheese.”
Lightly,
Vincent
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Oh how funny, I vaguely remember that. I will ask one of my friends who has one of THOSE memories and post it. Thanks for the comment and the like!!
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I had Desiderata hanging on the wall of my bedroom in my teens. Still love it.
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So cool! I had the album(!) with the girl wearing a belt slung low over her sweater and jeans…I remember being 12 and wanted to look like that. 🙂
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was around in the &)s but first I heard it. Wonderful advice though!
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(sorry the & was a typo meant to be 70s)
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Reblogged this on Find Your Middle Ground and commented:
One of my favorites … and its message seems even more meaningful. I really enjoyed revisiting Desiderata today ❤
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Sometime in early elementary school this poem was used as part of holiday presentation. I had to memorize the “If you compare yourself to others” stanza, and then stand up in front of all the other kids and parents and recite it. I was very shy, and scared to talk in front of others. I did it, didn’t forget anything, and felt good when it was done. Thanks for reminding me of that, and putting a smile on my face!
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What a cool memory! thanks for sharing that with ME!
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One of my all time favourites. I got it in a beautiful parchment scroll from St. Paul’s Cathedral in London over 30 years ago. Very profound and ‘centering’ poem relevant for all ages . Thanks for sharing. .
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I don’t know why this struck me yesterday as I was surfing through blogs. Another blogger had posted some pics of a beautiful girl and I thought I saw “child of the universe” written in there somewhere. Aha! Desiderata! Enjoy! I’ve been humming the song all night 🙂
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And that is beautiful.
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Thanks for reminding me about Desiderata! I’d come across it recently and it affected me so deeply… It’s so powerful and amazing how it was written long ago but still relevant to today’s society!
Thanks for this great post !
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Thank you for sharing this poem! As you said, these words are very meaningful!
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