OUT of the day you have taken what, <br />Crown of laurels and wreath of bay? <br />Smiles or frowns? Did you bring away <br />Shame that stings like an iron hot, <br />Or did you close with a record fair? <br />Out of the day you have taken what, <br />Peace of mind or a night of care? <br /> <br />Sum it all up as you close the page, <br />What have you written throughout the day, <br />Joy or sorrow? Be honest, say <br />Evil wrought in an hour of rage, <br />Wrongs that loom through the dead of night? <br />Sum it all up as you close the page, <br />Fair or foul are the things you write? <br /> <br />Over your record muse with care, <br />And note the wrong that is written down; <br />Why this temper and why this frown? <br />You were the one to put them there, <br />You were the one to stoop to sin; <br />Over your record muse with care, <br />Yours is the fault if you failed to win. <br /> <br />Out of the day you have taken what, <br />Joy or sorrow? Then let me ask <br />What brought you to your daily task? <br />A cheerful mind with your woes forgot, <br />Or an air of gloom with a downcast chin? <br />Out of the day you have taken what? <br />Merely the fruits of what you put in.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/out-of-the-day/
