A Psalm of Life
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.
[{"id":6488,"link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/2026\/03\/10\/word-of-the-day-affirm\/","name":"word-of-the-day-affirm","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Word-of-the-Day-Affirm-1.png","alt":"Word of the Day Affirm"},"title":"Word of the Day Affirm","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Admin","link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Mar 10, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-10 18:02:14","modifiedDate":"2026-03-10 18:15:38","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-10 18:15:38","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":0},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Words shape how we express belief, support one another, and reinforce truth. Today\u2019s Word of the Day is affirm, a powerful verb that reflects encouragement, confidence, and clarity. At Emerald Book Club, where conversation, literature, and community intersect, the act of affirmation plays an important role in how we support readers, writers, and thinkers.\n\nAffirming ideas, values, and voices helps strengthen understanding and builds a culture of respect and collaboration."},{"id":6250,"link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/2026\/03\/09\/your-best-by-barbara-vance\/","name":"your-best-by-barbara-vance","thumbnail":{"url":false,"alt":false},"title":"Your Best by Barbara Vance","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Admin","link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Mar 9, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-09 19:05:27","modifiedDate":"2026-03-09 19:05:37","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-09 19:05:37","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/poetry\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Poetry<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/poems\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Poems<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/poetry\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Poetry<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/poems\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Poems<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/poems\/' rel='post_tag'>poems<\/a><a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/poetry\/' rel='post_tag'>poetry<\/a><a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/your-best-by-barbara-vance\/' rel='post_tag'>your best by barbara vance<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":18},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":6230,"link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/2026\/03\/05\/world-book-day-in-the-uk\/","name":"world-book-day-in-the-uk","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Emerald-World-Book-Day-Post-1.png","alt":"World Book Day UK"},"title":"World Book Day in the UK","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Admin","link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Mar 5, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-05 13:48:41","modifiedDate":"2026-03-10 14:01:28","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-10 14:01:28","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/books\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Books<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/events\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Events<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/books\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Books<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/events\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Events<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/world-book-day\/' rel='post_tag'>world book day<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":0},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":6220,"link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/2026\/03\/04\/march-is-national-reading-month\/","name":"march-is-national-reading-month","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/National-Reading-Month-March-at-Emerald-Book-Club-1-scaled.png","alt":"National Reading Month March at Emerald Book Club"},"title":"March Is National Reading Month","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Admin","link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Mar 4, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-04 11:46:33","modifiedDate":"2026-03-10 14:01:25","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-10 14:01:25","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/events\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Events<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/reading\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Reading<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/events\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Events<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/reading\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Reading<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/book-club-near-me\/' rel='post_tag'>Book club near me<\/a><a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/book-clubs\/' rel='post_tag'>book clubs<\/a><a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/book-clubs-near-me\/' rel='post_tag'>book clubs near me<\/a><a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/booktok-community\/' rel='post_tag'>booktok community<\/a><a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/community-events\/' rel='post_tag'>Community events<\/a><a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/spring\/' rel='post_tag'>Spring<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":0},"status":"publish","excerpt":"March is National Reading Month, a time dedicated to promoting literacy, celebrating books, and encouraging people of all ages to read more. Whether you\u2019re an avid reader or just rediscovering your love for books, this month is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with stories \u2014 and with others."},{"id":6175,"link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/2026\/03\/03\/word-of-the-day-opportunity\/","name":"word-of-the-day-opportunity","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Word-of-the-Day-Opportunity.png","alt":"Word of the day opportunity"},"title":"Word of the Day Opportunity","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Admin","link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Mar 3, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-03-03 14:51:44","modifiedDate":"2026-03-10 14:01:23","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-10 14:01:23","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/vocabulary\/word-of-the-day\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Word of the Day<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/vocabulary\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Vocabulary<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/vocabulary\/word-of-the-day\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Word of the Day<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/vocabulary\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Vocabulary<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/word-of-the-day\/' rel='post_tag'>word of the day<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":0},"status":"publish","excerpt":"a time or set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something."},{"id":6120,"link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/2026\/02\/20\/major-2026-book-festivals-in-the-uk\/","name":"major-2026-book-festivals-in-the-uk","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ahmadardity-books-5053733_1280.jpg","alt":"Major 2026 book festivals in the UK"},"title":"Major 2026 Book Festivals in the UK","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Admin","link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Feb 20, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-02-20 12:45:31","modifiedDate":"2026-03-10 14:01:20","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-10 14:01:20","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/books\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Books<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/events\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Events<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/books\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Books<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/events\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Events<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/book-festivals-in-the-uk-2026\/' rel='post_tag'>Book festivals in the UK 2026<\/a><a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/book-festivals-uk\/' rel='post_tag'>book festivals uk<\/a><a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/uk-festivals\/' rel='post_tag'>uk festivals<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":0},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Major 2026 book festivals in the UK include the renowned Hay Festival (May\/June), Edinburgh International Book Festival (August), and Oxford Literary Festival (March). These events feature author talks, workshops, and signings, alongside specialized events like the Bath Children\u2019s Literature Festival. Other notable gatherings include the York Literature Festival and Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival"},{"id":5914,"link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/2026\/02\/10\/word-of-the-day-vindicate\/","name":"word-of-the-day-vindicate","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Word-of-the-Day-Vindicate.png","alt":"Word of the Day Vindicate"},"title":"Word of the Day Vindicate","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Admin","link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Feb 10, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-02-10 15:31:10","modifiedDate":"2026-03-10 14:01:17","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-10 14:01:17","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/vocabulary\/word-of-the-day\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Word of the Day<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/vocabulary\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Vocabulary<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/vocabulary\/word-of-the-day\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Word of the Day<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/vocabulary\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Vocabulary<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":0},"status":"publish","excerpt":"To clear someone of blame or suspicion; to prove that someone or something is right, justified, or deserved."},{"id":5881,"link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/2026\/02\/06\/7-key-benefits-of-colouring-book-pages\/","name":"7-key-benefits-of-colouring-book-pages","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/7-Key-Benefits-of-Colouring-Book-Pages-Thumbnail-.png","alt":"7 Key Benefits of Colouring Book Pages Thumbnail"},"title":"7 Key Benefits of Colouring Book Pages","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Admin","link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Feb 6, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-02-06 13:56:26","modifiedDate":"2026-03-10 14:01:14","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-10 14:01:14","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/books\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Books<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/colouring-books\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Colouring Books<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/books\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Books<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/colouring-books\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Colouring Books<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":0},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Coloring offers a wide range of mental and physical benefits for both children and adults, primarily by promoting relaxation and stimulating various cognitive functions."},{"id":5861,"link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/2026\/02\/05\/3-fantastic-benfits-of-word-search\/","name":"3-fantastic-benfits-of-word-search","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Mastering-Finance-Word-Search6.png","alt":"Mastering Finance Word Search"},"title":"3 Fantastic Benefits of Word Search","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Admin","link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Feb 5, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-02-05 10:45:39","modifiedDate":"2026-03-10 14:01:12","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-10 14:01:12","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/vocabulary\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Vocabulary<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/vocabulary\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Vocabulary<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/3-fantastic-benefits-of-word-search\/' rel='post_tag'>3 Fantastic Benefits of Word Search<\/a><a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/word-search\/' rel='post_tag'>word search<\/a><a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/word-search-puzzle\/' rel='post_tag'>word search puzzle<\/a><a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/word-search-puzzles\/' rel='post_tag'>word search puzzles<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":0},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":5850,"link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/2026\/02\/03\/word-of-the-day-scrupulous\/","name":"word-of-the-day-scrupulous","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Word-of-the-Day-Scrupulous.png","alt":"Word of the day scrupulous"},"title":"Word of the Day Scrupulous","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Admin","link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Feb 3, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-02-03 13:09:12","modifiedDate":"2026-03-10 14:01:05","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-03-10 14:01:05","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/vocabulary\/word-of-the-day\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Word of the Day<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/vocabulary\/word-of-the-day\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Word of the Day<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Emerald Book Club<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":0},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":5847,"link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/2026\/02\/02\/february-by-margaret-atwood\/","name":"february-by-margaret-atwood","thumbnail":{"url":false,"alt":false},"title":"February by Margaret Atwood","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Admin","link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Feb 2, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-02-02 16:21:27","modifiedDate":"2026-02-02 16:21:49","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-02-02 16:21:49","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/poems\/february-poems\/\" rel=\"category tag\">February Poems<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/poems\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Poems<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/poetry\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Poetry<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/poems\/february-poems\/\" rel=\"category tag\">February Poems<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/poems\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Poems<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/poetry\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Poetry<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/margaret-atwood\/' rel='post_tag'>Margaret atwood<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":14},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":5845,"link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/2026\/02\/02\/february-by-ralph-hodgson\/","name":"february-by-ralph-hodgson","thumbnail":{"url":false,"alt":false},"title":"February by Ralph Hodgson","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Admin","link":"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/author\/admin\/"},"date":"Feb 2, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-02-02 16:07:30","modifiedDate":"2026-02-02 16:07:40","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-02-02 16:07:40","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/poems\/february-poems\/\" rel=\"category tag\">February Poems<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/poems\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Poems<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/poetry\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Poetry<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/poems\/february-poems\/\" rel=\"category tag\">February Poems<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/poems\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Poems<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/category\/emerald-book-club\/poetry\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Poetry<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/february-poems\/' rel='post_tag'>february poems<\/a><a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/poems\/' rel='post_tag'>poems<\/a><a href='https:\/\/emeraldbookclub.org\/tag\/poetry\/' rel='post_tag'>poetry<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":2},"status":"publish","excerpt":""}]
