Poetry & Analysis
Selected Poems About Respect
Inspirational PoemsGive Them the Flowers Now
Closed eyes can’t see the white roses,
Cold hands can’t hold them, you know;
Breath that is stilled cannot gather
The odors that sweet from them blow.
Death, with a peace beyond dreaming,
Its children of earth doth endow;
Life is the time we can help them,
So give them the flowers now!
Here are the struggles and striving,
Here are the cares and the tears;
Now is the time to be smoothing
The frowns and the furrows and fears.
What to closed eyes are kind sayings?
What to hushed heart is deep vow?
Naught can avail after parting,
So give them the flowers now!
Just a kind word or a greeting;
Just a warm grasp or a smile—
These are the flowers that will lighten
The burdens for many a mile.
After the journey is over
What is the use of them; how
Can they carry them who must be carried?
Oh, give them the flowers now!
Blooms from the happy heart’s garden,
Plucked in the spirit of love;
Blooms that are earthly reflections
Of flowers that blossom above.
Words cannot tell what a measure
Of blessing such gifts will allow
To dwell in the lives of many,
So give them the flowers now!
Overview Short Summary
The poem urges readers to show appreciation while people are still alive. In respect-focused reading, “flowers” symbolize kind words, gratitude, and visible care.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- Respect and appreciation: The poem asks us to honor people before it is too late.
- Kind words: A greeting or smile can lighten another person’s burden.
- Time: Respect should be shown in the present, not postponed.
A Sermon in Rhyme
If you have a friend worth loving,
Love him. Yes, and let him know
That you love him ere life’s evening
Tinge his brow with sunset glow;
Why should good words ne’er be said
Of a friend—till he is dead?
If you hear a song that thrills you,
Sung by any child of song,
Praise it. Do not let the singer
Wait deserved praises long;
Why should one that thrills your heart
Lack that joy it may impart?
If you hear a prayer that moves you
By its humble pleading tone,
Join it. Do not let the seeker
Bow before his God alone;
Why should not your brother share
The strength of “two or three” in prayer?
If you see the hot tears falling
From a loving brother’s eyes,
Share them, and by sharing,
Own your kinship with the skies;
Why should anyone be glad,
When his brother’s heart is sad?
If a silver laugh goes rippling
Through the sunshine on his face,
Share it. ‘Tis the wise man’s saying,
For both grief and joy a place;
There’s health and goodness in the mirth
In which an honest laugh has birth.
If your work is made more easy
By a friendly helping hand,
Say so. Speak out brave and truly,
Ere the darkness veil the land.
Should a brother workman dear
Falter for a word of cheer?
Scatter thus your seed of kindness,
All enriching as you go—
Leave them, trust the Harvest-Giver;
He will make each seed to grow.
So, until its happy end,
Your life shall never lack a friend.
Overview Short Summary
This poem teaches active appreciation: tell friends they are loved, praise good work, share grief, share joy, and thank those who help you. It is a direct poem about respect in relationships.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- Respect and friendship: The poem encourages direct appreciation for friends and helpers.
- Gratitude: Respect appears in spoken thanks and timely praise.
- Shared humanity: Grief and joy both become opportunities for kindness.
Reader Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best poems about respect?
Some of the best classic poems about respect include “A Man’s a Man for A’ That,” “Nobility,” “Abou Ben Adhem,” “Speak Gently,” “The Divine Image,” and “The Village Blacksmith.” These poems explore dignity, kindness, equality, empathy, and respect for honest work.
What is a short poem about respect for students?
“Little Things” by Julia Abigail Fletcher Carney is a good short poem about respect for students because it shows how small words and small acts of kindness can shape character and make life better for others.
Which poem explains self-respect and dignity?
Robert Burns’s “A Man’s a Man for A’ That” is one of the strongest poems about self-respect and dignity. It argues that honest character is worth more than rank, wealth, or social appearance.
Which poems are about respecting others?
“Abou Ben Adhem,” “Speak Gently,” “On Another’s Sorrow,” and “If We Understood” are poems about respecting others through kindness, empathy, gentle words, and patient understanding.
What is the main theme of poems about respect?
The main theme is that respect comes from recognizing the worth of other people and behaving with kindness, fairness, empathy, truth, and self-control. Many respect poems also show that true dignity is based on character rather than status.
Are these poems suitable for school or classroom use?
Yes. Many poems in this collection, such as “Little Things,” “Against Quarrelling and Fighting,” “Speak Gently,” “The Noble Nature,” and “The Village Blacksmith,” are suitable for classroom discussions about respect, manners, kindness, dignity, and responsibility.
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