This tab includes a small number of poems on various subjects but if you are seeking a poem for a specific ceremony, follow one of these links to see hundreds of poems, readings and music sorted into a broad range of categories:
Contents On this Page
Love, inspiration, friendship, loss, joy, and many expressions of emotion.
These are collated for use in Ceremonies, or just to inspire or to be enjoyed.
Some are my own originals. Others have been chosen by people for ceremonies.
- Poetry is an expression of the soul, the heart, and the mind.
- Readings bring focus and set a theme in a ceremony
You might consider reading or poem to be specifically for a wedding, or for a funeral, but love has a language of its own. The index has the categories and titles or just press CTRL F on your keyboard and search for a word or subject.
Search also, my blog, or my Facebook page or maybe even write your own.
If you don’t find what you want here, let me know.
NB: As a Celebrant, I have copyright exemption for Ceremonies though do hold copyright insurance however the author must always be cited and this collation and webpage holds its own copyright 2017-2024.
+61 (0) 457 00 1922 
lou@alifecelebrant.com.au
SELF REFLECTION & EDUCATION
Nails in a Fence …
Anon
There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.
The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence.
Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down.
He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence….
Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all.
He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.
The day passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.
The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.
He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence.
The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one.
You can put a knife in a man and draw it out.
It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.”
A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.
Friends are a very rare jewel indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed.
They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us.”
Please forgive me if I have ever left a hole in your fence.
Man in the Mirror
1934-By Dale Wimbrow (1895-1954),
When you get what you want in your struggle for wealth
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.
For it isn’t your Father, or Mother, or Wife,
Who judgement upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.
He’s the feller to please, never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear up to the end,
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.
You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you’ve cheated the guy in the glass.
He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest
For he’s with you clear up to the end
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend
SPECIAL INTEREST POEM
A Better Life
by Audrey Heller
The more you think about it
life gets harder everyday.
You strive to do the right thing, but
at times, it can go astray.
It’s hard keeping up, with all the
things you want to do.
Your intentions are on the right
track, but it can run away with
you.
Today we live in a world, that is materialistic.
Everybody, strives for more.
We’ve forgotten about the important things in life
and we have to remember, the why, the where and the for.
Let’s get back to the reality, of what
life is supposed to be.
Then once again, we can find our way, for a
better life, for you and me!
In Gratitude
Pravin Gupta, © copyright 2017
(NB: the author is pleased to share provided he is acknowledged)
A land – where Mother Nature
Has laid out her heart for you,
And calls you out, to share her wealth,
And harks, to bring the best in you.
Where eyes do smile, and hearts do care,
Where every man is treated fair,
Where people of lands – far and near
Are welcomed, and given a fair share.
Your colour of skin, or your native land,
Or the God – to whom you bow your head,
It matters none, if with love in heart,
With those in need, you share your bread.
And raise your hand – not to smite,
But for someone to help – along the road,
And share the joys of life with all,
So help me ever, in this land O Lord!
With pride and love, in my heart I say,
For this land I share, with all of ya,
To the angels above, I call out loud,
Thank the Lord, for Australia!
Words
There are many reasons their words are wrong
They’re definitely best when spelling and grammar are strong
We’re here to hear, where words were read
Where they’re stated definitely and not defiantly said,
OTHER SOURCES & IDEAS
You may also find inspiration at these sites:
-
- https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems#subjects=38&page=1&occasions=95
- http://www.poetry-archive.com/b/byron_george_gordon.html
- BrainyQuote: www.brainyquote.com
- Favorite Poets and Poems: www.famouspoetsandpoems.com
- Great-Quotes.com: www.great-quotes.com
- Linda’s Lyrics, LLC: www.thedashpoem.com
- PoemHunter.com: www.poemhunter.com
- Poetry Soup: www.poetrysoup.com
- The Quotations Page: www.quotationspage.com
- The Quote Garden: www.quotegarden.com
I continually search conversations, books, magasines, podcast, and of course online for articles, poems, and readings for inspiration, motivation, and ideas.
And will place articles links here when practical and if Copyright allows.
A Life Celebrant – Lou Szymkow
Friendly, professional, reliable, helpful, approachable.
- Civil, Marriage, Commitment, Naming & Funeral Celebrant
- Commonwealth- Registered Marriage Celebrant
- Manyana NSW. Australia – covering the South Coast to Sydney and out to Canberra & Goulburn
I am your Sth Coast Celebrant.
A Ceremony created by & with Lou Szymkow, A Life Celebrant; with over 40 years experience in public life, will ensure that it is uniquely your own; an enriching, memorable experience. We can confidently work together to ensure the ceremony will be exceptional.
I love doing what I do and am confident you will too.
What I enjoy most about my experiences is meeting people and hearing their story.
Everyone has their own story and it is often amazing what can be learned. Sharing time with people is the greatest of experiences.
+61 (0) 457 00 1922 lou@alifecelebrant.com.au
A celebrant for all special occasions in your journey of life.
Your Life Events: Weddings, Unions & Commitments; Naming Ceremonies; Funerals, & More
#ALifeCelebrant; #Anniversary; #AustralianCelebrant; #AustralianWedding; #Birthday; ##ALifeCelebrant; #Anniversary; #AustralianCelebrant; #AustralianWedding; #Birthday; #bride; #Burial; #Celebrant; #CelebrantStClair; #CivilCelebrant; #Commitment; #Congratulations; #Cremation; #dating; #Eulogy #FamilyCelebrant; #Funeral; #FuneralCelebrant; #FuneralCelebrant; #FuneralHomes; #FuneralNotices; #Fun Wedding; #Grief; #IDo; #Kemps Creek Wedding; #lifecelebrations; #lifeevents; #Lifeunion; #Loss; #LouSzymkow; #LouTheCelebrant; #love; #LudwigSzymkow; #LudwigTheCelebrant; #marriagecelebrant; #MarriageEquality; #MinchinburyCelebrant; #MusicforFunerals; #Naming; #NamingCeremony; #Naptuals; #NepeanCelebrant; #NepeanCelebrants; #relationship; #rings; #samesexmarriage; #StClairCelebrant; #SydneyCelebrant; #TheVow; #TheWeddingExpert; #Tietheknot; #Venues; #Vow; #Vows; #Vows; #wedding; #Wedding; #WeddingCelebrant; #WeddingPlanner; #weddingQuestions, #WeddingSongs; #WesternSydney; #WesternSydneyCelebrant; #WesternSydneyWedding; #lou lou; #a life; #birth deaths and marriages; #births deaths marriages nsw; #celebrant; #celebrant funeral; #celebrant near me; #cheap reception venues; #crematorium; #NowraCelebrant; #Manyana Celebrant; #South Coast; #Sth Coast; #Ulladulla; #Milton; #Sussex Inlet; #Nowra; #Conjola; #Lake Conjola; #Beach Wedding; #BomaderryCelebrant; #Gerringong; #Kiama; #Canberra Celebrant; #Goulburn Celebrant; #Kangaroo Valley; #KangarooValleyCelebrant;
Unless otherwise stipulated, all content of this page and of this entire webpage is written for the purposes of copyright; © Copyright 2017 -2024, Created by Lou Szymkow, A Life Celebrant – www.alifecelebrant.com.au,