Simple Creeds

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Title:     Simple Creeds
Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox [More Titles by Wilcox]

If this were our creed it were creed enough
To keep us thoughtful and make us brave;
On this sad journey o'er pathways rough
That lead us steadily on to the grave.

_Speak no evil_, _and cause no ache_,
_Utter no jest that can pain awake_;
_Guard your actions and bridle your tongue_,
_Words are adders when hearts are stung_.

If this were our aim, it were all, in sooth,
That any soul needs, to climb to heaven,
And we would not cumber the way of truth
With dreary dogmas, or rites priest given.

_Help whoever_, _whenever you can_,
_Man for ever needs aid from man_.
_Let never a day die in the West_,
_That you have not comforted some sad heart_.

Were this our belief we need not brood
O'er intricate _isms_ and modes of faith--
For this embodies the highest goal
For the life we are living, or after death.

_We meet no trials we do not need_;
_Well borne sorrow is holy seed_;
_It shall rise in a harvest of golden grain_,
_And a wise soul ever thanks God for pain_.

[The end]
Ella Wheeler Wilcox's poem: Simple Creeds

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