Happy Birthday, Edgar!

He was to poetry what Norman Rockwell was to painting.  Never accused of being too edgy or avant guarde, he was a poet for the man on the street, and a Christian deep down and all the way through.  If you have never read the poems of Edgar Guest, let today, his 131st birthday, be the day you begin.  They will warm your soul and help you along in the right direction.


Lord, Make A Regular Man Out Of Me
Edgar Guest

This I would like to be- braver and bolder, 
Just a bit wiser because I am older, 
Just a bit kinder to those I may meet, 
Just a bit manlier taking defeat; 
This for the New Year my wish and my plea- 
Lord, make a regular man out of me. 

This I would like to be- just a bit finer, 
More of a smiler and less of a whiner, 
Just a bit quicker to stretch out my hand 
Helping another who's struggling to stand, 
This is my prayer for the New Year to be, 
Lord, make a regular man out of me.  



This I would like to be- just a bit fairer, 
Just a bit better, and just a bit squarer, 
Not quite so ready to censure and blame, 
Quicker to help every man in the game, 
Not quite so eager men's failings to see, 
Lord, make a regular man out of me. 

This I would like to be- just a bit truer, 
Less of the wisher and more of the doer, 
Broader and bigger, more willing to give, 
Living and helping my neighbor to live! 
This for the New Year my prayer and my plea- 
Lord, make a regular man out of me.