Poets From The United States

"We can be so afraid lost inside in search of a mother And yet we go about shouting "justice" and hurting one another"

"Now do we have to forgive and forget? No! In fact sometimes it's important to remember, so that you can prevent something like that from happening again, or know that it's not ok with you, even with that person or anyone else. But forgiving — why not? Do it so that you can be free. And I guarantee you, you will be free of this thing. And even if you don't tell this person you've forgiven them, because sometimes you can't, it's amazing what will happen in your life, what will happen with that person, what will happen with you and other people, if you have a forgiving spirit and let it go."

"I've been asked by a lot of new YouTube people or other singers — all kinds of professions, frankly, as to whether I feel very successful and very loved now that I've got bup-up-up-up subscribers and however many nice comments and sweetness, and I really, really do! I was thinking going into this that the odds were against me — you're online, there's this anonymity, people are mean sometimes, and still considering all that, it's overwhelming the sweetness and the affection that I am getting — I'm every day impressed by this — every day! And there are a lot of horrible, horrible people on here, just like there is in the rest of the world. But remember, "don't be overcome with evil — overcome evil with good.""

"Hears the music under the rock One of these days he'll stop Don't stop when the music stops."

"You're doing OK. You're always doing OK — however bad you think you are doing — this is another page of the book. But remember the responsibility you can have, or the power you can have, to make the sun shine a little brighter for the person next to you. Even if you never see them again — it will mean the world to them, what you can do."

"Let there be peace At least so blood will not flow forever Stop segregating yourselves and see that we should come together"

"I didn't enter into this to get any kind of affirmation or confirmation. I entered into this to see what I could do for other people — to give them my sincerity, to give them my love and my care, to take a load off, to have a smile, to have a memory or two. Singing the blues has always been about alleviating the blues, and that's apparent when you listen to them. Sure is nice to hear that someone else is, or has been where you are, or have been. Because we forget sometimes, that we're all in this together, and we have many, many similar experiences — all the time, all across the world, in every age."

"If you're coming into this YouTube thing, do it because of what you can do for other people... Don't worry so much about yourself, and if you're doing ok, and if you love yourself — you do, trust me. Think of what you can do for other people... Not some kind of self review, not some kind of day or week or however long to make sure you feel good about yourself — but thinking about the other people all around you, all the time, who could always — always use a hand, one way or another, even if it's kindness. Think of that instead. And maybe you are starting to notice my quote on the page "Look without, and you will be fulfilled within — without a doubt." I really mean that — look without, without of yourself — not within."

"I am speaking of something that is no longer happening — that is not currently going on. If someone is abusing you, or doing something illegal, or even something you refuse to tolerate, and it's still continuing, that is not an issue of forgiveness, that is an issue of making sure that stops — even if you have to get away from that situation — that's very important."

"People have asked me to speak on being sick, and even specifically on chronic pain diseases. ... And I don't know what to tell you, except this — this is something I have discovered. Your body is fighting to live. This is in your very blood, in your heart, in your bones — your body is trying to live, it's fighting to live — and don't give up without a fight, you know? Do what you can do. Figure something out. If you have to, fight with people to get help — whatever it is, but don't give up without a fight. You remember — mark my words — you are here — you should be here — stay."

"I had no idea how much music and singing really means to people, and in my own tiny way to be a part of that is very humbling and very sweet, and and I feel very honored. ... I have a great appreciation for this, in every ways and a new understanding, and I'm just as amazed as anyone else."

"I look at the lyrics, and if that's something honest for me at the moment, I'll sing it."

"You know you're already brave. You don't get very far in life without having to be brave an awful lot. Because we all have our frightening moments and difficult trials and we don't have much of a choice but to get through 'em, and it takes a lot of bravery to do that. The most important thing about bravery is this — It's not about not being scared — it's about being scared and doing it anyway — that's bravery."

"There is a big difference you see between privately letting someone know that you're displeased, whether they've done something they may not be aware of, and just rudeness — and you do not have to tolerate rudeness, by any means."

"Many people have said since the beginning — actually, all my life — "don't you suppose you were born in the wrong era — the wrong time?" Well, I don't think so at all! Because, don't you see, I can come into your home, in your office, and wherever you are, and sing to you these silly songs. And I'm just a simple lady, and I can show you how much I love you very much, and share these feelings with you. And I don't know that could have been done really this way at any other time. So I think that I was born at just the right time — wouldn't you say?"

"I've been told I sound like I'm out of an old movie; that perhaps I'm faking my voice, that it's nice, that it's not nice — all kinds of things. Well it's my voice. The only thing I can think of is sometimes you're in one mood or another mood, and so maybe it sounds a little different, but I've always spoken this way — and I'm trying to sound pleasant — I hope it does sound pleasant, but that's about it."

"You need to laugh more. Life is filled with too many problems, to not laugh every day. ... We need to have a sense of humor going into this because it's too tough without it."

"'There is always hope, we can always love, we can always be kind; we have neither excuse or loss by degree of suffering.'"

"Hi, new people — there's a lot of new people. Welcome to the family. We're a little weird here, but we're all very nice — so you'll fit in here. We're kind of intense — but you'll figure it out."

"I appreciate that you have your own tastes, but — give me a break!"

"I went, and I was rejected immediately — like that. First chance I got to sing, they said "you have a very excellent voice, it's amazing, blah, blah, blah — not what we're looking for." And that was it. And you know, thinking about it later: I don't think it's really for me — you know what I mean? That's all we're going to say about that. Let's move on."

"Don't you think that it's amazing that I'm singing into this silly camera with the desk lamp, and it's going through all these wires and everything else, and these computers, and you still feel what I'm feeling, and you still get what I'm trying to do? Yeah. I think its amazing. And I think it's so nice in a period when we're very isolated people, and kind of emotionless people, I think it's great that we can still touch one another and we can still feel what we're feeling, and we can still have fun, and we can be sad, and we can be happy, and to know that someone cares about you — because I really do. I really do. And I can't believe that I have over 10,000 subscribers. What is wrong with you people?"

"So, it's just no hope. I cant be cool. I tried with the giant sunglasses — no dice. Sorry. I remain dorky forever. So — it's okay."

"And I wanted to say something before I go — I told you guys it's been a bad year — when you have these kind of moments when you are in despair, I just want to remind you that God does not take a break — he does not clock out, he doesn't get caught off-guard — there is nothing that goes on that he is not allowing. So everything is as it should be, no matter how wrong, or scary, or sad, or angry, or afraid, or any of it — everything is as it should be. And we need to remember that, and that we love Him and He loves us. Whatever we're feeling, we need to remember the truth."

"I'm really proud of you for having come this far — every single one of you, wherever you are, you're on your way — you are getting there! And — don't worry so much! Just — that's what we need to stop doing — stop worrying so much, and start observing a little bit more."

"I believe in a God, who, whether we understand it now or ever will, does the thing for us, which is the best thing for us — out of Love — even if it’s painful. And I think that’s the truth. So, if you’re in a great pain, and if you’re suffering, remember that this is… in the middle… and that you’re on your way… some place…, and it’s beneficial to you… and even better than that, it might be beneficial to others… so, that what I have to say to that tonight… I know it’s… short… I hope it’s sweet, and… I’ll see you next time… so, good night."

"Thank you for praying for me, and wishing me well, and all the support, because I need it a lot. And inside me there is a warrior, but right now, I am a 'Golden Girl'... But I wanted to let you guys know that I have not died, and I am here, and I am going to fight with all I have got to stay — and to help. And I have never been in this bad a condition, but I am determined."

"I want to share with you a couple of the kinds of letters I've been getting ... Dear Ysabella, My friend is hurting themselves. I'd like to know if I should tell someone about this, because I don't want my friend to be mad at me. Ok, I don't care if your friend is mad at you — I don't want them to be dead! You need to spread the word — they've let you know — you need to talk to a family member you can trust of theirs, someone at school, someone at work — you need to talk to somebody that can get them some help. Because I'd rather they be mad at me and not want to be my friend — and alive — than anything else, ok? ... The second letter: My boyfriend is hitting me ... how can I break up with him without being mean? ... Now, when someone's looking for a doormat, they don't care whether it's mean or nice — they just want to know 'can they wipe their feet on it?' ... The next time you see a little girl ... imagine if she was in the situation you are in. What would want for her, really? If that breaks your heart, remember in that moment that you are as valuable, and as cherished, and as loved, and as important as any woman on this planet. ... Stand up for yourself — don't be afraid to expect to be treated like a human being."

"James — it's about your sister I wonder if you missed her I'm on my way to see you but I don't know what to bring Almost gave up the ghost, now you have what she wants most a little piece of heaven and a lovely song to sing."

"This morning, when I got my mail — there's concrete all over the ground — cement, you know — and these little clovers — the little green clovers, like from St. Patrick's Day — the plant — were growing up out of the cement — no dirt and no nothing and no rain — and there they were, growing up out of the cement, and I was thinking — "that's like me.""

"You shall not change, but a nobler race of men Shall walk beneath the stars and wander by the shore; I can not guess their glory, but I think the sky and sea Will bring to them more gladness than they brought to us of yore."

"There is no sorrow like a love denied Nor any joy like love that has its will."

"There are worser ills to face Than foemen in the fray; And many a man has fought because— He feared to run away."

"The great white cold walks abroad!"

"How loving is the Lord God and how strong withal!"

"Shall the iron argue with the smith what it would be? Or, shall the wrought iron reason with the monger To whom it would be sold?"

"The East and the West in the spring of the world shall blend As a man and a woman that plight Their troth in the warm spring night."

"I have need of the sky, I have business with the grass; I will up and get me away where the hawk is wheeling Lone and high, And the slow clouds go by. I will get me away to the waters that glass The clouds as they pass. I will get me away to the woods."

"Spring in the world! And all things are made new!"

"Love seeks a guerdon; friendship is as God, Who gives and asks no payment."

"For ’t is always fair weather When good fellows get together With a stein on the table and a good song ringing clear."

"The people blossoms armies and puts forth The splendid summer of its noiseless might."

"Nor love they least Who strike with right good will To vanquish ill And fight God’s battle upward from the beast."

"Who would not rather founder in the fight Than not have known the glory of the fray?"

"Fair weather weddings make fair weather lives."

"Praise be to you, O hills, that you can breathe Into our souls the secret of your power!"

"In all climes we pitch out tents, Cronies of the elements, With the secret lords of birth Intimate and free."

"I must have told my story ill if to every physician who hears me its illustrations have not the invigorating force of moral tonics."

"Up anchor! Up anchor! Set sail and away! The ventures of dreamland Are thine for a day."

"Death’s but one more to-morrow."