20 Positive Poems

Let these positive poems be ones that help you see things in an optimistic way. Verses to encourage, inspire and uplift you to believe in yourself and in others - look for the good.

We need more positivity in this world of ours. Sometimes, it is so easy to see the negative and accept it, however, when you look for the positive, the good in a situation you will see it. We hope the verses in these poems encourage you to be positive.


Short Poems & Quotes     /     Inspirational Poems    /   Positive Poems


  1. Limitless
    Poet: Ella Wheeler Wilcox


    There is nothing, I hold, in the way of work
    That a human being may not achieve
    If he does not falter, or shrink or shirk,
    And more than all, if he will believe.

    Believe in himself and the power behind
    That stands like an aid on a dual ground,
    With hope for the spirit and oil for the wound,
    Ready to strengthen the arm or mind.

    When the motive is right and the will is strong
    There are no limits to human power;
    For that great force back of us moves along
    And takes us with it, in trial's hour.

    And whatever the height you yearn to climb,
    Tho' it never was trod by the foot of man,
    And no matter how steep — I say you can,
    If you will be patient — and use your time.



  2. Desiderata Poem
    Desiderata Poem


  3. The Cheerful Heart
    Poet: Unknown


    There is a shady side of life,
    And a sunny side as well
    And 'tis for every one to say
    On which he'd choose to dwell.

    For every one unto himself
    Commits a grievous sin,
    Who bars the blessed sunshine out,
    And shuts the shadows in.

    The clouds may wear their saddest robes,
    The sun refuse to smile,
    And, sorrow, with her troop of ills.
    May threaten us while;

    But still the cheerful heart has power
    A sunbeam to provide,
    And only those whose souls are dark
    Dwell only life's shady side.



  4. positive attitude poems
    Positive Attitude Poems


  5. Eyes Of The World
    Poet: Catherine Pulsifer


    It's like the eyes of the world, they observe
    Children, people watching us, and those that we serve.
    We are all their mirrors shining out our light
    Make sure your attitude is positive and bright.

    The responsibility is yours and you are the star
    To lead by example and provide a high bar
    Be mindful of your actions, and what you portray
    A positive role model is that what you convey?



  6. I'd Rather See A Sermon
    I'd Rather See A Sermon


  7. Pursue Your Dreams
    Poet: Julie Hebert, ©2011


    I've always known,
    How great you are.
    I just didn't realize,
    How bizarre you are.

    I say this in,
    A very good way,
    You're so creative,
    I have to say.

    You have potential,
    To pursue your dreams.
    Now get out there,
    And explore your schemes.

    Until you try,
    You'll never know.
    Life's too short,
    To not control your show!



  8. do not be one of those people who say, I wonder what would have happened if I had...
    If Poems
    We all have dreams and aspirations. But, many people do not follow their dreams, they stay in jobs they hate, and they never reach their full potential because they do not pursue their dreams. The Poet is trying to encourage you to go after dreams, to make them a reality! Don't wait until it is too late. Do not be one of those people who say, I wonder what would have happened if I had . . .



  9. The Things That Haven't Been Done Before
    Poet Edgar A. Guest


    The things that haven't been done before,
    Those are the things to try;
    Columbus dreamed of an unknown shore
    At the rim of the far-flung sky,
    And his heart was bold and his faith was strong
    As he ventured in dangers new,
    And he paid no heed to the jeering throng
    Or the fears of the doubting crew.

    The many will follow the beaten track
    With guideposts on the way.
    They live and have lived for ages back
    With a chart for every day.
    Someone has told them it's safe to go
    On the road he has traveled o'er,
    And all that they ever strive to know
    Are the things that were known before.

    A few strike out without map or chart,
    Where never a man has been,
    From the beaten path they draw apart
    To see what no man has seen.
    There are deeds they hunger alone to do;
    Though battered and bruised and sore,
    They blaze the path for the many, who
    Do nothing not done before.

    The things that haven't been done before
    Are the tasks worthwhile today;
    Are you one of the flock that follows, or
    Are you one that shall lead the way?
    Are you one of the timid souls that quail
    At the jeers of a doubting crew,
    Or dare you, whether you win or fail,
    Strike out for a goal that's new?



  10. positive messages
    Positive Messages


  11. Self-Control
    Poet Unknown


    When you’re angry,
    Here’s a rule:
    Take a deep breath
    Until you cool.
    Stop and freeze.
    Just calm down.
    Put on a smile
    Instead of a frown.
    Think of a way
    Not to fight.
    You’ll be glad
    You did it right.
    Stop! Calm down! Think!
    Then act!
    You’ll feel better.
    That’s a fact.



  12. poems of encouragement
    Poems Of Encouragement


  13. Only A Little
    Poet Unknown


    Just a little smile will cheer us
    When life’s hill is very steep;
    Just a kindly word will help us
    When a frown would make us weep.

    Just the sunshine on the waters,
    Just the rainbow in the sky,
    Just a little love, so little,
    And its value is so high.



  14. Little Things Poems
    Little Things Poems


  15. There Was A Man
    Poet: E. S. Kiser


    There was a man who smiled
    Because the day was bright;
    Because he slept at night;
    Because God gave him sight
    To gaze upon his child!
    Because his little one
    Could leap and laugh and run;
    Because the distant sun
    Smiled on the earth, he smiled.

    He toiled and still was glad
    Because the air was free;
    Because he loved, and she
    That claimed his love and he
    Shared all the joys they had!
    Because the grasses grew;
    Because the sweet wind blew;
    Because that he could hew
    And hammer, he was glad.



  16. Towards Fields of Light
    Poet: Edwin Hatch


    To have struck one blow for truth
    In the daily fight with lies;
    To have done one deed of right
    In the face of calumnies,
    To have sown in the souls of men
    One thought that will not die —
    To have been a link in the chain of life; —
    Shall be immortality.



  17. Think positively. No one likes a negative nelly. You have a lot going for you
    Short Positive Quotes


  18. Underneath
    Poet: T. B. Aldrich


    Underneath the winter's snows.
    The invisible hearts of flowers
    Grow ripe for blossoming!
    And the lives that look so cold,
    If their stories could be told,
    Would seem cast in gentler mould,
    Would seem full of love and spring.



  19. Heaven Shining Through
    Poet: Robert W. Service


    Sky so blue it makes you wonder
    If it's heaven shining through;
    Earth so smiling 'way out yonder,
    Sun so bright it dazzles you;
    Birds a-singing, flowers a-flinging
    All their fragrance on the breeze;
    Dancing shadows, green, still meadows
    Don't you mope, you've still got these.



  20. Don't Let People Bring You Down
    Don't Let People Bring You Down


  21. The Dreams Ahead
    Poet: Edwin Carlile Litsey


    What would we do in this world of ours.
    Were it not for the dreams ahead?
    For thorns are mixed with the blooming flowers.
    No matter which path we tread.

    And each of us has his golden goal.
    Stretching far into the years;
    And ever he climbs with a hopeful soul.
    With alternate smiles and tears.

    That dream ahead is what holds him up
    Through the storms of a ceaseless fight:
    When his lips are pressed to the wormwood's cup.
    And clouds shut out the light.

    To some it's a dream of high estate
    To some it's a dream of wealth;
    To some it's a dream of a truce with Fate
    In a constant search for health.

    To some it's a dream of home and wife;
    To some it's a crown above;
    The dreams ahead are what make each life -
    The dreams - and faith - and love!



  22. poems about dreams
    Poems About Dreams


  23. If We Knew
    Poet: Mrs. May Riley Smith


    If we knew the woe and heart-ache
    That await us on the road;
    If our lips could taste the wormwood,
    If our backs could feel the load;
    Would we waste to-day in wishing
    For a time that ne'er may be?
    Would we wait in such impatience
    For our ships to come from sea?

    If we knew the baby fingers
    Pressed against the window-pane
    Would be cold and stiff to-morrow,
    Never trouble us again;
    Would the bright eyes of our darling
    Catch the frown upon our brow?
    Would the print of baby fingers
    Vex us then as they do now?

    Ah! those little ice-cold fingers,
    How they point our memories back
    To the hasty words and actions
    Strewn along the backward track!
    How those little hands remind us,
    As in snowy grace they lie,
    Not to scatter thorns, but roses,
    For the reaping by and by.

    Strange, we never prize the music
    Till' the sweet-voiced birds have flown;
    Strange, that we should slight the violets
    Till the lovely flowers are gone;
    Strange, that summer skies and sunshine
    Never seem one half so fair
    As when winter's snowy pinions
    Shake the white down in the air.

    Lips from which the seal of silence
    None but God can roll away
    Never blossomed in such beauty
    As adorns the mouth to-day;
    And sweet words that freight our memory
    With their beautiful perfume
    Come to us in sweeter accents
    Through the portals of the tomb.

    Let us gather up the sunbeams
    Lying all around our path;
    Let us keep the wheat and roses,
    Casting out the thorns and chaff;
    Let us find our sweetest comfort
    In the blessings of to-day,
    With a patient hand removing
    All the briers from the way.



  24. poems about Gods Blessings
    Poems About Gods Blessings


  25. The Inevitable
    Poet: Sarah Knowles Bolton


    I like the man who faces what he must,
    With step triumphant and a heart of cheer;
    Who fights the daily battle without fear;
    Sees his hopes fail, yet keeps unfaltering trust
    That God is God; that somehow, true and just,
    His plans work out for mortals; not a tear
    Is shed when fortune, which the world holds dear.
    Falls from his grasp: better, with love, a crust
    Than living in dishonor: envies not,
    Nor loses faith in man; but does his best.
    Nor ever murmurs at his humbler lot.
    But, with a smile and words of hope, gives zest
    To every toiler: he alone is great
    Who by a life heroic conquers fate.



  26. Scattering Crumbs
    Poet: Unknown


    I threw some crumbs from my window
    at the falling of the night.
    And I thought no more about them
    till, at break of morning light

    A ceaseless chirp and twitter on the
    frosty air I heard -
    The sparrows' morning blessing! And
    my heart with joy was stirred,

    For 'tis something to make happy e'en
    the wee heart of a bird.
    It gave me a pleasant keynote for the
    music of the day;

    A song of thanks for blessings I should
    find along the away;
    A thought for the joy of others, and
    how oft with little care

    I might give some crumbs of pleasure
    to another heart, and bear
    In my own a double measure for the
    sake of another's share.



  27. Giving Poems
    Giving Poems


  28. A Hint of Life
    Poet: Ella Wheeler Wilcox


    Don't look for the flaws as you go through life;
    And even when you find them,
    It is wise and kind to be somewhat blind,
    And look for the virtues behind them;
    For the cloudiest night has a hint of light
    Somewhere in the shadows hiding.
    It is better by far to hunt for a star
    Than the spot on the sun abiding.



  29. Don't look for the flaws as you go through life
    Positive Quotes


  30. Can't
    Poet: Edgar A. Guest


    Can't is the worst word that's written or spoken;
    Doing more harm here than slander and lies;
    On it is many a strong spirit broken,
    And with it many a good purpose dies.
    It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each morning
    And robs us of courage we need through the day:
    It rings in our ears like a timely-sent warning
    And laughs when we falter and fall by the way.

    Can't is the father of feeble endeavor,
    The parent of terror and half-hearted work;
    It weakens the efforts of artisans clever,
    And makes of the toiler an indolent shirk.
    It poisons the soul of the man with a vision.
    It stifles in infancy many a plan;
    It greets honest toiling with open derision
    And mocks at the hopes and the dreams of a man.

    Can't is a word none should speak without blushing;
    To utter it should be a symbol of shame
    Ambition and courage it daily is crushing;
    It blights a man's purpose and shortens his aim.
    Despise it with all of your hatred of error;
    Refuse the lodgment it seeks in your brain;
    Arm against it as a creature of terror.
    And all that you dream of you some day shall gain.

    Can't is the word that is foe to ambition,
    An enemy, ambushed, to shatter your will;
    Its prey is forever the man with a mission
    And bows but to courage and patience and skill.
    Hate it, with hatred that's deep and undying,
    For once it is welcomed 'twill break any man;
    Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying
    And answer this demon by saying: " I can."



  31. try try again poem
    Try Try Again Poem


  32. Bear The Sunshine
    Poet: Unknown


    You may bear the sunshine wherever you go.
    For a smiling face is the face to show,
    And the world hath need of your cheer.
    Why add to its burden of groans and sighs?
    'Twere better, my friends, to call to its eyes
    A smile instead of a tear.

    Be brave and be glad, and your joy will rest,
    Like a nested bird, in some troubled breast;
    Some heart with its sore repining
    Will find the star in the midnight sky
    And catch the gleam as the clouds drift by
    Of the radiant silver lining.



  33. sunshine poems
    Sunshine Poems


  34. The Conqueror
    Poet: Unknown


    Here's to the man who can hide with a smile,
    A day of ill-temper and words that are vile.
    Who can refrain from uttering words in a tone
    That may leave their, sting when years have flown;
    Who is cautious and tactful not to offend
    His neighbor, or those who may be his friends.
    Here's to the man that can feign jollity,
    Whatever his trials and tribulations may be.
    When the tempest has passed and the sun starts to shine,
    Hats off to the man who has conquered his mind!



  35. Keep Sweet
    Poet: Strickland Gillilan


    Don't be foolish and get sour when things don't just come your way-
    Don't you be a pampered baby and declare, "Now I won't play!"
    Just go grinning on and bear it.....
    Read the rest of Keep Sweet


More Inspirational Poems  to Encourage & Motivate



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Motivational Poems

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Poems About Waiting
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Optimistic Quotes
Optimistic Quotes


Featured Famous Poets:

Catherine Pulsifer
Catherine Pulsifer

Ella Wheeler Wilcox Poems
Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Edgar A. Guest Poems
Edgar A. Guest

Strickland Gillilan
Strickland Gillilan

More Famous Poems


We hope you have enjoyed our collection of positive poems. Looking at a situation from an optimistic viewpoint can change your attitude or outlook toward it. Sometimes things that we consider to be not favorable can be a blessing in disguise, we just have to see the blessing. Share them with others to give them a positive thought for their day!



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