Introduction
Daniel C. Colesworthy’s poems often begin with something small enough to overlook: a word, a smile, a bird near the door, or a few minutes spent reading. He then asks what that ordinary act might change. A kind sentence can steady someone, a repeated effort can outlast failure, and attention to the natural world can become an argument for faith.
This selection gathers ten Daniel C. Colesworthy poems with the clearest reader interest, including A Little Word, Try, Keep Trying, There Is a God, Read the Bible, A Smile and Never Say Fail. Each public-domain poem is followed by an original explanation focused on meaning, themes and technique rather than repeated academic filler. Colesworthy’s full name was Daniel Clement Colesworthy; more writers from different periods can be found in the Famous Poets directory.
Kindness, Words & Encouragement
Famous Daniel C. Colesworthy Poems
Featured PoemsA Little Word
A little word in kindness spoken,
A motion or a tear,
Has often healed the heart that’s broken,
And made a friend sincere.
A word—a look—has crushed to earth
Full many a budding flower,
Which, had a smile but owned its birth,
Would bless life’s darkest hour.
Then deem it not an idle thing,
A pleasant word to speak;
The face you wear—the thoughts you bring—
A heart may heal or break.
Overview Short Summary
“A Little Word” contrasts the healing effect of kindness with the damage caused by a careless word or look. Its examples are deliberately small, but their emotional consequences are large: encouragement can revive a person, while coldness can destroy confidence before it has time to grow.
Interpretation Meaning and Central Message
The poem argues that ordinary communication is never entirely trivial. Tone, expression and a brief sentence can influence another person’s inner life. Colesworthy therefore treats kindness not as decoration, but as a responsibility attached to everyday speech.
Core Ideas Themes
- Power of words: Language can either comfort or injure.
- Kindness: A small compassionate act may have lasting value.
- Emotional vulnerability: People may be affected more deeply than the speaker realizes.
- Friendship: Sincere care can create or strengthen human connection.
Poetic Craft Flower Metaphor, Contrast and Form
The “budding flower” represents a hope or confidence that has not yet fully developed. Healing and breaking, smiles and crushing looks, light and darkness create sharp contrasts. Three compact quatrains make the moral direct and memorable.
Search Context Alternative Titles and Publication Note
The poem is also circulated as “Kind Words” or “Pleasant Words.” Hymnary records its first publication in Colesworthy’s Portland Tribune in 1841 and lists it in multiple nineteenth-century hymnals.
Try, Keep Trying
Have your efforts proved in vain?
Do not sink to earth again;
Try, keep trying:
They who yield can nothing do;
A feather’s weight will break them through;
Try, keep trying:
On yourself alone relying,
You will conquer; try, keep trying.
Falter not! but heavenward rise!
Put forth all your energies;
Try, keep trying:
Every step that you progress
Will make each future effort less;
Try, keep trying:
On the truth and God relying,
You will conquer; try, keep trying.
Ponderous barriers you may meet,
But against them bravely beat;
Try, keep trying:
Nought should drive you from the track,
Turn you from your purpose back;
Try, keep trying:
On yourself alone relying,
You will conquer; try, keep trying.
You will conquer if you try,
Win the prize before you die;
Try, keep trying:
Remember, nothing is so true,
As they who dare will ever do;
Try, keep trying:
On yourself and God relying,
You will conquer; try, keep trying.
Overview Short Summary
“Try, Keep Trying” addresses someone whose effort has not yet succeeded. Rather than treating failure as a final verdict, the poem presents progress as repeated action. Each attempt reduces the difficulty of the next and keeps the desired result possible.
Interpretation Meaning and Main Lesson
Colesworthy joins self-reliance with religious trust. The reader must use personal energy, courage and discipline, while also relying on truth and God. The poem’s optimism therefore depends on effort rather than passive wishing.
Core Ideas Themes
- Perseverance: Failure should lead to another attempt.
- Effort: Progress becomes easier through continued practice.
- Courage: Large obstacles must be met rather than avoided.
- Faith: Personal resolve is strengthened by trust in God.
Poetic Craft Refrain, Commands and Rhythm
“Try, keep trying” acts as a refrain and turns the poem into a repeated instruction. Commands such as “falter not” and “put forth” create urgency. The strong regular rhythm suits recitation and explains the poem’s continuing use in encouragement collections.
A Smile
A smile!—who will refuse a smile,
The sorrowing breast to cheer,
And turn to love the heart of guile,
And check the falling tear?
It speaks of kindness and of love,
A generous sympathy;
And lifts, on golden wings above,
The child of penury.
A pleasant smile for every face—
Oh, ’tis a blessed thing!
It will the lines of care erase,
And spots of beauty bring.
’Twill calm the passions, and subdue
The ingrate’s fiercest rage;
With buds and blossoms sweetly strew
The path of youth and age.
Overview Short Summary
“A Smile” presents smiling as a free act that can comfort grief, express sympathy and soften anger. The poem follows the smile’s influence from one troubled person to a wider range of people across youth and old age.
Interpretation Meaning and Main Idea
The poem does not claim that a smile solves every serious problem. Its argument is that a visible sign of goodwill can interrupt loneliness or hostility. A smile matters because it tells another person that kindness is present.
Core Ideas Themes
- Sympathy: A smile communicates concern without requiring a long speech.
- Emotional influence: One person’s expression can change another person’s mood.
- Kindness: Generosity includes small social gestures.
- Shared humanity: Comfort is needed at every stage of life.
Poetic Craft Wings, Flowers and Tone
Golden wings suggest emotional lifting, while buds and blossoms represent renewed pleasure. The opening rhetorical question assumes that such an inexpensive kindness should not be withheld. The tone is warm, persuasive and accessible.
Give Every Day
Let us give something every day
For one another’s weal;
A word, to make the gloomy gay,
Or the crushed spirit heal;
A look, that to the heart will speak,
Of him that’s poor and old;
A tear for her, o’er whose wan cheek
Full many a stream has rolled.
The objects of our love and care,
In every path we see,
And when they ask a simple prayer,
Oh, shall we selfish be,
And turn away with haughty trust,
As if the God above
Were partial to our pampered dust,
And only us did love?
Let us give something every day,
To comfort and to cheer;
’Tis not for gold alone they pray,
Whose cries fall on the ear;
They ask for kindness in our speech,
A tenderness of heart,
That to the inmost soul will reach,
And warmth and life impart.
Each one can give—the poor, the weak,
And be an angel guest;
How small a thing, to smile, to speak,
And make the wretched blest!
These favors let us all bestow,
And scatter joys abroad,
And make the vales of sorrow glow
With the sweet smiles of God!
Overview Short Summary
“Give Every Day” expands the meaning of generosity beyond money. A word, a look, a tear, a smile and genuine attention can all become gifts. The poem asks readers to notice people in need and respond without assuming that only wealthy people can help.
Core Ideas Themes
- Generosity: Human attention can be as meaningful as material aid.
- Compassion: The speaker asks readers to recognize grief and poverty around them.
- Equality: Divine love is not reserved for comfortable people.
- Daily service: Kindness should become habitual.
Poetic Craft Refrain, Questions and Religious Imagery
The recurring instruction “Let us give something every day” unites the poem. Rhetorical questions confront selfishness directly. The final image of sorrowful valleys glowing with God’s smiles connects ordinary kindness with spiritual service.
Never Say Fail
Keep pushing—’tis wiser
Than sitting aside,
And dreaming and sighing,
And waiting the tide:
In Life’s earnest battle,
They only prevail
Who daily march onward,
And never say fail.
With an eye ever open,
And a tongue that’s not dumb,
And a heart that will never
To sorrow succumb,
You’ll battle and conquer,
Though thousands assail:
How strong and how mighty,
Who never say fail!
The spirits of angels
Are active, I know,
As higher and higher
In glory they go:
Methinks on bright pinions
From heaven they sail,
To cheer and encourage
Who never say fail.
Ahead then keep pushing,
And elbow your way,
Unheeding the envious,
And asses that bray:
All obstacles vanish,
All enemies quail,
In the might of their wisdom
Who never say fail.
In life’s rosy morning,
In manhood’s firm pride,
Let this be the motto
Your footsteps to guide:
In storm and in sunshine,
Whatever assail,
You’ll onward and conquer,
And never say fail.
Overview Short Summary
“Never Say Fail” contrasts forward action with waiting, sighing and surrender. The speaker presents persistence as a lifelong motto that should survive opposition, envy, sorrow and changing circumstances.
Interpretation Meaning and Motivational Message
The title does not literally deny that attempts can fail. It refuses to let failure become a permanent identity. Colesworthy values alertness, speech, courage and repeated movement, suggesting that resilience is built through habits rather than a single dramatic moment.
Core Ideas Themes
- Persistence: Continuing is placed above passive waiting.
- Resilience: Sorrow and criticism should not control the heart.
- Self-direction: A personal motto guides conduct through changing conditions.
- Spiritual encouragement: Angelic support enlarges the struggle beyond ordinary ambition.
Poetic Craft Battle Metaphor, Refrain and Tone
Life becomes a battle and persistence a daily march. The title phrase closes each stanza like a refrain, while storms and sunshine represent adverse and favorable conditions. The tone is forceful, public and openly motivational.
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