If you can smooth his path a bit, <br />Bring laughter to his worried face, <br />Restore today his stock of grit <br />And help him all his troubles chase. <br />If you can speak one word of praise <br />That shall his drooping spirits raise <br />And warm his heart with cheer, <br />You have done more than they will do <br />Who'll sighing, rush some day to strew <br />Red roses on his bier. <br /> <br />If you stretch out a hand to him <br />Today when he is plodding on, <br />When everything seems dark and grim, <br />And hope is very nearly gone, <br />If you go to him where he stays <br />And speak the little word of praise <br />That now may banish fear, <br />You will have done more good than they <br />Who'll rush to praise his lifeless clay <br />And strew with flowers his bier. <br /> <br />If you will note the good you see <br />In him today, while yet he lives, <br />If you will be the friend you'll be <br />When death to him the summons gives, <br />While he is here to hear your praise, <br />To profit by your kindly ways, <br />You'll not seem insincere <br />If, when death's smile is on his face, <br />You rush to be the first to place <br />Red roses on his bier.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/real-help/
