The joy is in the doing,
Not the deed that's done;
The swift and glad pursuing,
Not the goal that's won.
The joy is in the seeing,
Not in what we see;
The ecstasy of vision,
Far and clear and free!
The joy is in the singing,
Whether heard or no;
The poet's wild, sweet rapture,
And song's divinest flow!
The joy is in the being--
Joy of life and breath;
Joy of a soul triumphant,
Conqueror of death!
Is there a flaw in the marble?
Sculptor, do your best;
The joy is in the endeavor.
Leave to God the rest!
-Julia C. Dorr (1825-1913)
I came across this poem last week in a library book I borrowed called "The Literature of Vermont: A Sampler". This poetess lived in Rutland, Vermont for a part of her life. Not sure if she was inspired to write the poem while in the Green Mountain state, but it is beautiful nonetheless.
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