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A Psalm of Life

A Psalm of Life

by | Oct 14, 2024 | Emerald Book Club, Poetic Flows Podcast, Poetry

A Psalm of Life By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,

  Life is but an empty dream!

For the soul is dead that slumbers,

  And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!

   And the grave is not its goal;

Dust thou art, to dust returnest,

   Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

   Is our destined end or way;

But to act, that each to-morrow

   Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,

   And our hearts, though stout and brave,

Still, like muffled drums, are beating

   Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world’s broad field of battle,

   In the bivouac of Life,

Be not like dumb, driven cattle!

   Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!

   Let the dead Past bury its dead!

Act,— act in the living Present!

   Heart within, and God o’erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us

   We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

   Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,

   Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

   Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,

   With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

   Learn to labor and to wait.

The Poetic Flows Podcast

The Poetic Flows Podcast

by | Oct 9, 2024 | Emerald Book Club, Poetic Flows Podcast, Poetry

Welcome to The Poetic Flows Podcast

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POETIC FLOWS PODCAST

🎙️ Poetic Flows Podcast by Emerald Book Club 🌿

Join us every Monday night at 8 PM GMT for Poetic Flows, a soothing and inspiring podcast by Emerald Book Club, where words come alive through the beauty of poetry. Hosted in a serene, reflective atmosphere, Poetic Flows showcases captivating spoken-word performances, poetic readings, and thought-provoking discussions about the art of poetry.

Each episode brings together poets, authors, and poetry lovers to share their craft, emotions, and insights. Whether you’re a seasoned poet or simply enjoy listening to the magic of words, this is the perfect space to explore the richness of language and connect with like-minded individuals.

Poetry is a form of literary art that uses aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meanings in addition to, or in place of, literal or surface-level meanings. Any particular instance of poetry is called a poem and is written by a poet. Wikipedia

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Tune in for:

  • Powerful spoken-word performances
  • Insightful discussions on classic and contemporary poetry
  • Special guest appearances from poets and literary enthusiasts
  • A deep dive into the meaning and inspiration behind featured works

Unwind, listen, and let the rhythm of words flow through you. Poetic Flows is your Monday night escape into the world of poetry.

📅 Every Monday at 8 PM GMT
📍 Hosted by Emerald Book Club

#PoeticFlowsPodcast #EmeraldBookClub #SpokenWord #PoetryLove

Before The Throne Of Beauty by Kahlil Gibran

Before The Throne Of Beauty by Kahlil Gibran

by | Oct 9, 2024 | Emerald Book Club, Poetry

One heavy day I ran away from the grim face of society and the dizzying clamor of the city and directed my weary step to the spacious alley. I pursued the beckoning course of the rivulet and the musical sounds of the birds until I reached a lonely spot where the flowing branches of the trees prevented the sun from the touching the earth.

I stood there, and it was entertaining to my soul – my thirsty soul who had seen naught but the mirage of life instead of its sweetness.

I was engrossed deeply in thought and my spirits were sailing the firmament when a hour, wearing a sprig of grapevine that covered part of her naked body, and a wreath of poppies about her golden hair, suddenly appeared to me. As she she realized my astonishment, she greeted me saying, ‘Fear me not; I am the Nymph of the Jungle.’

‘How can beauty like yours be committed to live in this place? Please tell me who your are, and whence you come? ‘ I asked. She sat gracefully on the green grass and responded, ‘I am the symbol of nature! I am the ever virgin your forefathers worshipped, and to my honor they erected shrines and temples at Baalbek and Jbeil.’ And I dared say, ‘But those temples and shrines were laid waste and the bones of my adoring ancestors became a part of the earth; nothing was left to commemorate their goddess save a pitiful few and the forgotten pages in the book of history.’

She replied, ‘Some goddesses live in the lives of their worshippers and die in their deaths, while some live an eternal and infinite life. My life is sustained by the world of beauty which you will see where ever you rest your eyes, and this beauty is nature itself; it is the beginning of the shepherds joy among the hills, and a villagers happiness in the fields, and the pleasure of the awe filled tribes between the mountains and the plains. This Beauty promotes the wise into the throne the truth.’

Then I said, ‘Beauty is a terrible power! ‘ And she retorted, ‘Human beings fear all things, even yourselves. You fear heaven, the source of spiritual peace; you fear nature, the haven of rest and tranquility; you fear the God of goodness and accuse him of anger, while he is full of love and mercy.’

After a deep silence, mingled with sweet dreams, I asked, ‘Speak to me of that beauty which the people interpret and define, each one according to his own conception; I have seen her honored and worshipped in different ways and manners.’

She answered, ‘Beauty is that which attracts your soul, and that which loves to give and not to receive. When you meet Beauty, you feel that the hands deep within your inner self are stretched forth to bring her into the domain of your heart. It is the magnificence combined of sorrow and joy; it is the Unseen which you see, and the Vague which you understand, and the Mute which you hear – it is the Holy of Holies that begins in yourself and ends vastly beyond your earthly imagination.’

Then the Nymph of the Jungle approached me and laid her scented hands upon my eyes. And as she withdrew, I found me alone in the valley. When I returned to the city, whose turbulence no longer vexed me, I repeated her words:

‘Beauty is that which attracts your soul, and that which loves to give and not to receive.’

The Road Not Taken

The Road Not Taken

by | Sep 30, 2024 | Emerald Book Club, Poetry

The Road Not Taken By Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

50 Superb Reasons to Read Books

50 Superb Reasons to Read Books

by | Sep 25, 2024 | Books, Emerald Book Club

50 Superb Reasons to Read Books

1. Books help to feel more confident.
2. Books help to travel around the world in the cheapest way.
3. Books develop your personality.
4. Books provide food for thought.
5. Books make you laugh and think.
6. Books draw you towards perfection.
7. Books stimulate creativity.
8. Books bring out writing talent.
9. Books help in communicating.
10. Books clear your vision.

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11. Books satisfy your curiosity.
12. Books help you make more choices.
13. Books help you build literary talent.
14. Books do not require any special device to teach.
15. Books increase your attention span.
16. Books are fruitful pastime.
17. Books can be used anytime, anywhere.
18. Books provide entertainment, when others fail.
19. Books make you powerful.
20. Books help you know the ‘Whys’ and ‘Hows’ of everything.

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50 Reasons To Read Books


21. Books help you to create and spread fun.
22. Books help you travel across time intelligently.
23. Books keep you updated with facts and figures.
24. Books spread love, affection and knowledge.
25. Books make the best of friends.
26. Books take you to intellectual environment.
27. Books help you feel the world around you.
28. Books entertain your mind.
29. Books broaden your horizon.
30. Books bring Nature to your doorstep.

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31. Books bring about a ‘personality change’.
32. Books increase comprehension.
33. Books do not require company.
34. Books are stress-busters.
35. Books develop a sense of belonging to people around you.
36. Books provide mental and physical relaxation.
37. Books act as a communication tool.
38. Books are intellectually satisfying activity.
39. Books provide spiritual experience.
40. Books provide emotional strength.


41. Books build your self-esteem.
42. Books help and encourage your imagination to soar.
43. Books make you smarter and wiser.
44. Books help you grow.
45. Books take you to a ‘world of dreams’.
46. Books can change your life and vision.
47. Books help in achieving ‘life goals’.
48. Books develop wonderful experience.
49. Books transform lives.
50. Books inspire, books motivate, books build nations

Summary

Hope you enjoyed the 50 superb reasons to read books. Do you have a reason to add to the list? let us know in the comments below

Recommended

Adventures in Coloring: A Kid’s Creative Quest: The Ultimate Coloring Book for Kids

Adventures in Coloring: A Kid’s Creative Quest: The Ultimate Coloring Book for Kids

by | Aug 15, 2024 | Book Reviews, Colouring Books, Emerald Book Club, Kids Books

Embark on an exciting journey of creativity and imagination with “Adventures in Coloring” — the ultimate coloring book for kids! Packed with over 50 delightful illustrations and whimsical scenes, this book promises hours of fun and exploration for young artists of all skill levels.

From enchanting fairy tales and magical creatures to thrilling adventures in faraway lands, each page of “Adventures in Coloring” invites children to bring their favorite stories and characters to life in vibrant colors. Whether they’re coloring a brave knight on a quest to rescue a princess or a friendly dragon soaring through the clouds, the possibilities for creative expression are endless.

Adventures in Coloring: A Kid’s Creative Quest: The Ultimate Coloring Book for Kids

Designed with kids in mind, “Adventures in Coloring” features large, easy-to-color illustrations and bold outlines that help build fine motor skills and boost confidence. With plenty of room for creativity and personalization, this coloring book encourages children to let their imaginations run wild and create their own colorful masterpieces.

Perfect for rainy days, quiet afternoons, or creative playtime with friends, “Adventures in Coloring” is sure to spark joy and ignite a love for art in children of all ages. Whether they’re coloring solo or sharing their creations with others, this book provides a fun and engaging outlet for self-expression and creativity.

Join the adventure and let your imagination soar with “Adventures in Coloring” — where every page is a new opportunity for fun, discovery, and colorful adventures!

SUMMARY

Adventures in Coloring: A Kid’s Creative Quest: The Ultimate Coloring Book for Kids

  • Author: Emerald Book Club
  • Genre: Kids Coloring Book
  • Price: $15.99
  • Description: Embark on an exciting journey of creativity and imagination with “Adventures in Coloring” — the ultimate coloring book for kids! Packed with over 50 delightful illustrations and whimsical scenes, this book promises hours of fun and exploration for young artists of all skill levels. From enchanting fairy tales and magical creatures to thrilling adventures in faraway lands, each page of “Adventures in Coloring” invites children to bring their favorite stories and characters to life in vibrant colors. Whether they’re coloring a brave knight on a quest to rescue a princess or a friendly dragon soaring through the clouds, the possibilities for creative expression are endless.
  • Formats Available: Paperback
  • Purchase Options:
The Great Things Life Has to Offer

The Great Things Life Has to Offer

by | Jul 9, 2024 | Emerald Book Club, Positive Mindset

Embracing Life’s Abundance

Life is a tapestry woven with countless threads of experiences, each offering its own unique brilliance and significance. At Emerald Book Club, we believe in celebrating the richness of life and embracing its boundless opportunities for growth and fulfillment.

In our recent episode of The Positive Podcast, titled “The Great Things Life Has to Offer,” we reflect on the profound beauty found in everyday moments. From the warmth of a sunrise to the laughter shared with loved ones, these are the threads that weave together to form the fabric of our lives.

Here are 10 examples of great things that life has to offer:

  1. Love and Connection: Deep bonds with family, friends, and loved ones that enrich our lives.
  2. Personal Growth: Continuous learning, self-discovery, and achieving personal goals.
  3. Health and Well-being: Physical vitality, mental clarity, and emotional balance.
  4. Nature’s Beauty: Serene landscapes, breathtaking sunsets, and the wonders of the natural world.
  5. Creativity and Expression: The ability to create, innovate, and express ourselves through art, music, or writing.
  6. Moments of Joy: Laughter, celebrations, and spontaneous moments that bring happiness.
  7. Peace and Tranquility: Finding moments of calm, inner peace, and serenity amidst life’s challenges.
  8. Opportunity: New beginnings, career growth, and chances to make a positive impact.
  9. Gratitude: Appreciating life’s blessings, both big and small, and cultivating a thankful heart.
  10. Purpose and Meaning: Finding fulfillment in contributing to something greater than ourselves and living with purpose.

These are just a few examples of the richness and variety of experiences that make life meaningful and fulfilling.

Join us as we explore the essence of life’s greatness through the lens of positivity and gratitude. We invite you to listen to the episode here, where we delve into inspiring stories and insights that remind us of the abundance that surrounds us.

At Emerald Book Club, our mission is to inspire and uplift through literature, podcasts, and community engagement. We encourage you to embrace life’s treasures and discover the extraordinary in the ordinary.

The Dark Ages

The Dark Ages

by | Jun 26, 2024 | Emerald Book Club, Poetry

Dark Ages by John Reade

The years through which aught that hath life, O Sun,
Hath watched or felt thy rising, what are they
To those vast æons when, from night to day,
From dawn to dark, thy circuit thou didst run,
With none to greet thee or regret thee; none
To bless thy glowing harbinger of cloud,
Rose-tinted; none to sigh when, like a shroud,
The banner of Night proclaimed her victory won?
Yet, through that reign of seeming death, so long
To our imperfect ken, the marvellous force
Which means to ends adjusts in Nature’s plan
Was bringing to the birth that eye of man,
Which now, O Sun, surveys thy farthest course—
A speck amid the countless starry throng.

The poem reflects on the vast expanse of time through which the sun has existed and its role in the universe. Here’s a critical summary and analysis:

Summary:

The poem contemplates the immense epochs during which the sun has risen and set, stretching back to periods far beyond human existence. The speaker contrasts these vast aeons with the relatively brief span during which life on Earth, especially human life, has observed and felt the sun’s presence. The poem highlights the sun’s unacknowledged journeys through the cosmos before any beings existed to appreciate its light and warmth. Despite the long era of seeming emptiness, the natural processes were at work, leading to the emergence of humans who now have the capacity to observe and reflect upon the sun’s path.

Analysis:

Themes:

  1. Time and Eternity:
    • The poem delves into the concept of time, contrasting the brief span of human history with the incomprehensible length of cosmic time.
    • The “vast aeons” represent an almost eternal past when the sun existed without any observers.
  2. Existence and Observation:
    • There’s a significant focus on the existence of the sun before life, emphasizing the idea that the sun’s value and significance are not diminished by the lack of observers.
    • The emergence of human beings, who can now appreciate and contemplate the sun, is portrayed as a crucial development.
  3. Nature’s Plan and Evolution:
    • The poem suggests that nature has a plan, where everything from the sun’s existence to the development of human beings is part of a grand design.
    • The “marvellous force which means to ends adjusts in Nature’s plan” implies an inherent order and purpose in the natural world.

Structure and Form:

  • The poem is structured as a single, reflective stanza with a rhyme scheme that ties the lines together.
  • The use of enjambment helps to maintain the flow of thoughts and emphasizes the continuity of time and the seamless transition from one era to another.

Imagery and Symbolism:

  • The Sun: Symbolizes constancy and the passage of time. It also represents the source of life and enlightenment.
  • Night and Day: These opposing forces symbolize the cycle of existence, with the sun’s daily journey marking the rhythm of time.
  • The Birth of Human Sight: The “eye of man” symbolizes human consciousness and the ability to appreciate and reflect on the universe.

Tone and Mood:

  • The tone is contemplative and somewhat awe-inspiring, inviting the reader to ponder the vastness of time and the smallness of human existence in comparison.
  • The mood evokes a sense of wonder and humility, acknowledging both the insignificance and the significance of human life in the grand scheme of things.

Conclusion:

The poem elegantly explores the themes of time, existence, and the evolution of life, using the sun as a central metaphor. It reflects on the grandeur of the cosmos and the unique position of humans as conscious observers within it. The interplay between the eternal presence of the sun and the relatively fleeting existence of humanity provides a profound commentary on our place in the universe.

On Prayer – Kahlil Gibran

On Prayer – Kahlil Gibran

by | Jun 11, 2024 | Emerald Book Club, Poetry

On Prayer by Kahlil Gibran

Kahlil Gibran

1883 – 1931

Then the priestess said, Speak to us of Prayer.
And he answered, saying:
You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.

For what is prayer but the expansion of yourself into the living ether?
And if it is for your comfort to pour your darkness into space, it is also for your delight to pour forth the dawning of your heart.
And if you cannot but weep when your soul summons you to prayer, she should spur you again and yet again, though weeping, until you shall come laughing.
When you pray you rise to meet in the air those who are praying at that very hour, and whom save in prayer you may not meet.
Therefore let your visit to that temple invisible be for naught but ecstasy and sweet communion.
For if you should enter the temple for no other purpose than asking you shall not receive:
And if you should enter into it to humble yourself you shall not be lifted:
Or even if you should enter into it to beg for the good of others you shall not be heard.
It is enough that you enter the temple invisible.

I cannot teach you how to pray in words.
God listens not to your words save when He Himself utters them through your lips.
And I cannot teach you the prayer of the seas and the forests and the mountains.
But you who are born of the mountains and the forests and the seas can find their prayer in your heart,
And if you but listen in the stillness of the night your shall hear them saying in silence,
“Our God, who are our winged self, it is thy will in us that willeth.
It is thy desire in us that desireth.
It is thy urge in us that would turn our nights, which are thine, into days which are thine also.
We cannot ask thee for aught, for thou knowest our needs before they are born in us:
Thou art our need; and in giving us more of thyself thou givest us all.”

Psalms 105 – Oh Give Thanks

Psalms 105 – Oh Give Thanks

by | Jun 11, 2024 | Ancient Texts, Bible, Emerald Book Club

Oh Give Thanks

105 O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.

2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.

3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

4 Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.

7 He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.

8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;

10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:

11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:

12 When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.

13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;

14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;

15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.

17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:

18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:

19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.

20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.

21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:

22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.

23 Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.

24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.

25 He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.

26 He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.

27 They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.

28 He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.

29 He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.

30 Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.

31 He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.

32 He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.

33 He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.

34 He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,

35 And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.

36 He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

37 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.

38 Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.

39 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.

40 The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.

41 He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.

42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.

43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:

44 And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;

45 That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the Lord.