Do It Now

On By Dawn MinottIn Poetry

An adaptation of Berton Braley’s poem, “Do It Now”:

if with pleasure you are viewing
any work someone is doing
if you like them or you love them
tell them now

don’t withhold your approbation
till the parson makes oration
and they lie with snowy lilies on their brows

no matter how you shout it
they won’t really care about it
they won’t know how many teardrops you have shed

if you think some praise is due them
now’s the time to slip it to them
for they cannot read their tombstone when they’re dead

more than fame and more than money
is the comment kind and sunny
and the hearty, warm approval of a friend

for it gives to life a savor,
and it makes you stronger, braver
and it gives you heart and spirit to the end

if they earn your praise—bestow it,
if you like them let them know it
let the words of true encouragement be said

do not wait till life is over
and they’re underneath the clover
for they cannot read their tombstone when they’re dead

Afterword: I was taught this poem as a child and recited it many times over the years. It’s a beautiful motto I’ve come to live by.

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In creative solidarity, Dee

22 thoughts on “Do It Now”

    1. I was taught that poem at a very young age and it never left me, Kym. Very instructive. That line you quoted is the clincher, ain’t it?!

      Hope you’re having an enjoyable weekend. We had massive storms here in NY most of this evening. I was to bed away snugly at home 🙏🏽🙏🏽

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      1. Oh my dear Queen Dawn, you are sooooo very welcome and how awesome is that to remember something you learned as Princess Dawn? 👑 Honey, we had severe thunderstorms in the Carolinas and flash floods. We traveled over the weekend and ran into torrential rain. There were so many accidents of overturned vehicles that probably hydroplaned, but thank God we got through it. We’re expecting more rain this week. WHOA! ☔🌊💦 Stay dry! Hugs and smooches! 😘

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          1. Hey Queen Dawn, we have faired well. Just lots of rain. Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness. 🤗🙏🏼😊 My brother in Charleston, SC said that the downtown area is flooded but where he lives he only had a tall pine that snapped in half from the rain, but it didn’t hit the house. Thank God. I appreciate you and hope that you are well my dear! Sending you lots of love, hugs and smooches sistah! 🥰💖😍

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            1. Ok. That’s good. Such devastation. All’s well here. Rained heavily yesterday evening and will be this morning as well. Take good care queen Kym. Big hug 🤗 nuff love ❤️ (nuff, that’s Jamaican patois for “a lot of”

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              1. Oh Dawn, my encourager, thank you for your warmth and love my dear. Listen sistah, “nuff” is part of my Lowcountry vernacular too. 😜 “Sho nuff” takes it to another viable level! 🤣 Stay safe! Love ya Queen! 🥰💖👑💋😍

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                1. There you … sho nuff the connection is real!!!

                  Miss Debbie did her thang up here on the NE corridor as well. I ain’t complaining. #grateful. The plants are grateful too — lush leaves (the heat’s already obliterated their blooms). Stay well my friend. Nuff love ❤️💕❤️Big hug 🤗

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  3. Viv H's avatar Viv H

    I am so appreciative of this poem. The words are ever so true. Give each other the love while they are alive. No need to say it when they are gone. This is beautiful. Thank you for helping us over the hump!

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