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Footprints On The Sands Of Time

This Page Includes: Full Verses of the Poem in Text. A Recording of the Poem (Audio). A Free PDF Download for reading purposes. Free Editable Google Doc Download if you wish to make changes or to personalise the poem. The page also includes what the poem is about, structure of poem and explaining the best parts.

Footprints On The Sands Of Time Poem Verses

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream! –
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act, — act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o’erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

Audio Recording

Please note the audio recording may not exactly match the text version as 'Footprints On The Sands Of Time' can be tailored/personalised

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Personalised Poem

Would you like to customise this poem? You have the option to personalise it by accessing the provided link, which will direct you to Google Docs. From there, you can download the poem ‘Memories’ to your personal Google Docs account or Microsoft Word where you will be able to edit the poem however you want.

Personalised Poem

About the poem

This is a poem that encourages the reader to live life to the fullest and make the most of every moment. The poem emphasizes that life is real, and it has a purpose beyond this world. Longfellow believes that life is not an empty dream and that the soul must not sleep but must remain active and alive. The grave is not the end of life but a transition to a new existence. The poem emphasizes that we should act and make the most of every day, strive to improve ourselves, and leave a positive legacy for those who come after us. The poem is inspirational and motivating, urging the reader to be active and engaged in life. It could be used as a eulogy or funeral poem to inspire mourners to celebrate the life of the deceased and remember them for the good they did in the world. Personalizing the poem for a funeral could involve reflecting on the legacy and accomplishments of the deceased and encouraging those left behind to carry on their work and make the most of their own lives.

The Structure of Poem

The poem is structured in five stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which helps to give the poem a musical quality. The poem begins by challenging the idea that life is meaningless, stating that life is real and earnest. It urges the reader to take action and make the most of each day, as time is fleeting. The poem also speaks of the importance of leaving a positive legacy, and encourages the reader to strive for greatness and make a difference in the world. The final stanza reinforces the call to action, urging the reader to keep pursuing their goals and learning as they go.

Best Quote from Footprints On The Sands Of Time Poem

This is a quote from the poem Footprints On The Sands Of Time by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each tomorrow Find us farther than today."

This quote emphasizes the importance of taking action and making progress in our lives. It suggests that our ultimate purpose is not simply to experience pleasure or avoid pain, but to strive for personal growth and development. It encourages us to continually push ourselves forward, to learn from our experiences, and to become better versions of ourselves each day. This quote can inspire us to stay motivated and focused on our goals, even when faced with obstacles or setbacks.